Page 39 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

'She's my best friend. We can trust her,'I argue internally, my heart aching at the thought of keeping secrets from Sophie.

Your friends. But pack comes first now,my wolf reluctantly accepts, its loyalty unwavering.

"I'm okay, Soph. I just need some time to recover. Axel is taking good care of me," I assure her, my enhanced hearing picking up on the rapid beat of her heart, the catch in her breath. The guilt intensifies, knowing that I'm the cause of her distress.

Sophie insists on seeing me, her concern evident in every word. I hesitate, unsure of how to proceed.

"Soph, I promise we will see each other in a few days… after I am better. I have to go."

I lay back on the soft bed, my mind reeling from the overwhelming events of the day. Mabel suggests I rest, but my thoughts race with unanswered questions and fears about my new reality as a werewolf.

Axel sits beside me, his presence both comforting and confusing. "I'm here for you, Lila. Between Elena, and Grandma Mabel, we'll help you through this transition," he assures me, his hand gently squeezing mine.

I nod, trying to process the changes in my body and mind. A mix of fear and exhilaration courses through me as I realize the extent of my heightened senses and strength.

Strong now. Fast. Better,my wolf expresses with excitement, reveling in our newfound abilities.

I turn to Axel, gratitude and uncertainty swirling within me.

"Thank you for saving my life, Axel. I just... I don't know how to feel about all of this," I confess, my voice trembling.

Mabel offers a final piece of wisdom, her eyes filled with understanding. "Embrace your new nature, Lila, but don't forget your humanity. You are both wolf and human now, and that is a beautiful thing."

As they prepare to leave, a moment of panic grips me at the thought of being alone.

Natural. Right. This is who we are,my wolf whispers, its confidence steadying me.

Axel senses my unease and promises to be nearby if I need anything. The sincerity in his eyes stirs something within me, a connection I can't quite define.

I'm right here, when you need me,Axel's voice softly penetrates my mind.

"Woo, Axel, is that you in my head? How are you doing that?"

“As the leader of the pack, I have the ability to communicate with any member. However, since I have marked you, we now have a mate bond that allows us to communicate with each other telepathically as well. I didn’t want to scare you earlier, so I kept my mind from you."

Rest now, talk more later,he adds.

When Axel leaves, my wolf whines,Want mate to stay,its longing mirroring my own complex emotions.

I lay in the unfamiliar bed, every new sensation a reminder of my transformation. Relief at my survival, gratitude towards Axel and Mabel, and guilt over lying to Sophie all swirl within me.

"What challenges am I gonna face in this new life?" I say aloud to my wolf, trying to process everything that's happened. "I never asked for any of this, but now there's no escaping it."

Challenges await,my wolf replies.But together, we overcome. You strong, we smart.

I sigh, knowing my wolf is right. This is my reality, whether I like it or not.

We face it together. We are strong,my wolf whispers reassuringly, a constant presence in my mind as I finally succumb to sleep.

Chapter 14:

Fight for Her

Axel

I take a deep breath, my hand resting on Lila's as I address the pack. "Thank you all for coming. I know this is an unusual situation, but it's important that we discuss it as a family."

I feel Lila tense beside me, her nervousness palpable. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, silently reassuring her.