Page 48

Aegis's P.O.V

Let me tell you about a normal day in the life of an Alpha.

Wake before dawn.

Read five scrolls filled with complaints from neighboring packs.

Settle a dispute between two pack members fighting over land.

Attend meetings where everyone talks and argue.

Refuse to bow to pressure.

Plan security drills.

Train with warriors.

Smile politely at nobles who want favors.

Write letters.

Clean blood off your hands.

Stay sharp.

Stay cold.

Never let them see you sweat.

Never show weakness.

But today,

Today. I was ready to scream at someone today—and I haven’t even had breakfast yet.

Everything feels wrong.

The tea was cold.

The pups were noisy.

Someone left dirty boots on the steps.

And Noah gave me a look this morning that made me want to throw something.

I knew I shouldn’t take it personally.

But I did.

I stormed into the kitchen, dropped the stack of files I was supposed to sort, and sat heavily at the edge of the bench.

Brianna looked up from the pile of vegetables she was washing. “Bad day?”

“Terrible,” I muttered.

She dried her hands and came to sit beside me.

“What happened now?”

I sighed. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start with the part where your face looks like you bit into a lemon.”

I snorted, even if my chest still felt tight. “Everyone’s been treating me like I’m contagious. Like I’m a threat.”

Brianna tilted her head. “Because you came from the palace?”

“Because I came from him.”

She blinked. “The King?”

I nodded. “It’s like just breathing the same air as him makes me dangerous.”

I paused. “I don’t even belong anywhere anymore, Bri. I’m too much for the pack that I own, too little for the palace.”

Brianna was quiet.

Then she said, “What have you done Aegis?”

I looked away. “I told him to leave me alone.”

She nodded. “And did he?”

My stomach turned. “Yeah.”

Silence.

I stared at the herbs scattered on the table.

“He said he wanted me,” I whispered. “I told him I didn’t want him back.”

“Is that true?” Brianna asked.

I didn’t answer. I know the truth.

---

The day dragged.

I helped sort supplies. I and the boys organized reports. We sat through a long meeting where the pack's council argued about borders and rogue sightings. I didn’t speak unless someone asked. I didn’t smile. I didn’t offer ideas. I just… existed.

Noah didn’t speak to me directly. But I could feel him watching like he was waiting for me to snap.

Later that evening, I passed the training grounds. Warriors were lined up, doing drills. I paused and leaned on the fence, watching.

The sight of me watching them made the sweat. Their supervisors shouted at them to use different strategies. Their terror used to give me an high. It does nothing for me anymore.

Shit.

They moved together, very sharp, focused, grounded. I taught them that. I raised them.

That used to be me.

Today I felt like a ghost.

Brianna joined me again, wiping her hands on her apron.

“You miss it,” she said.

“Every second.”

“You could come back.”

I shook my head. “Not without his release. And he’s not giving that.”

Brianna was quiet for a moment.

Then she said, “You know what your problem is?”

I raised a brow. “I have a list.”

“You’re too proud,” she said. “You don’t want to admit you care.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is. You want to feel needed but not controlled. Wanted but not claimed. You push people away when they get close, then get mad when they don’t chase after you.”

My mouth opened. Then closed.

Because she was right.

And it hurt.

---

That night I went to see my healer to for a checkup.I sat on the roof of the healer's hut while she took her tests, staring at the stars.

And I thought about him.

Damian.

I thought about his voice. The way he always stayed calm when I raged.

The way he said he wanted me like it was both a truth and a curse.

He didn’t beg. The proud man.

He let me go.

And somehow, that hurt more.

I got summoned the next day. Noah brought the letter. He stood outside my office, hands clenched

“Enter,” i answered sharply.

I stepped in.

He peered at the edge of desk, arms crossed, and standing languidly by the wall.

He looked annoyed. No, worse.

he looked tired of me.

“We received word from the palace.”

I tensed. “What kind of word?”

“They’ve officially stated that you are not released from your role.”

I blinked.

“I’m not even there anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter. His mark is still on your record. You are his Aid until he says otherwise.”

I laughed bitterly. “What does that even mean? I can’t work here?”

He said nothing.

So I answered for him. “You think I’m being stubborn.”

“I think you’re a loose thread,” he said. “And in war, loose threads get pulled.”

My chest burned.

“So what do you want me to do?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Go back.”

“Just like that?”

He didn’t answer.

I looked at my Beta. He wouldn’t meet my eye.

So that was it.

I wasn’t wanted here.

I waited till he left before I stumbled to.my room blindly.

---

Back in my room, I sat on the floor, knees pulled to my chest.

I was shaking.

Not from fear.

From anger.

And confusion.

And… something else.

What was I even doing anymore?

Where was I supposed to go?

Brianna came in quietly.

She handed me a mug of warm tea and sat beside me.

“ I was wrong, you know.”

I sipped without tasting.

“I'm sorry for questioning and berating your decisions. Sometimes I forget that you've lived through hell in this life. I forget how strong you are.”

I let out a soft breath. “It’s not strength. It’s stubbornness.”

“Sometimes th

I closed my eyes. “I don’t want to go back, Bri.”

“Then don’t.”

“But I have nowhere else.”

She squeezed my hand. “Okay that's it. I can't do this right now.”

I raise an eyebrow at her as she yelled, "Talia You can come in now."

I looked at her."She was waiting in front of the door”

She smiled gently.

“I'm not the person you need right now. She is.”

Talia comes waltzing in. She observed me for a bit before clearing her throat.

"Erm, permission to speak as your friend,? She asked.

I sighed, "Permission granted."

"What the hell are you doing?"

I bristled at her tone, "Pardon."

"Have you forgotten who you are? Is that it?

". She added unrepentant. "You are not some naive little girl that blushes because of a man.

You're not allowed to. You are Alpha Aegis, The second Female Alpha in the history of Werewolves.

You are The Poison Rose. You are a woman stronger that twelve men altogether, and you're allowing a minor issue throw you of guard.

If the enemies were to attack today, right now and catch you unguarded, What would you say is the cause.

I got defeated because I couldn't get my big girl panties back on? "

Brianna scoffed, "Okay. That's enou...."

Talia continues, "Yes the King has grown feelings for you, but is he the first man to?

. You're a beautiful person Alpha and it's no wonder but maybe the reason why you're so thrown off is because you like him too, and that's okay too.

You don't want to act on those feelings for now and that's okay. "

"You have a choice Alpha. This is not something you can be forced into.

Yes he likes you and so what? Doesn't mean you have to say yes.

You can say no. You can decide not to let the fact that he or you caught feelings destroy the plans that I know you've been working on for literal years.

I hate to break it to you, but the fact that The King, a man likes you is not reason enough for us to cower or celebrate. You are allowed to say no."

Brianna looks at her stunned. I was shocked but something me has been woken up too.

"So?", she asks solemnly.

A dirty smirk crossed my lips. "He wants an Aid, I'm going to be the best damn aid he's ever had."

"That's my girl."