Chapter 6 The Mysterious Alpha

Selene

The frost creeping across my fingertips betrayed me once more. I swiftly balled my hand into a fist, watching as minuscule ice crystals cascaded onto the wooden counter like scattered stardust. Four months of arduous practice, yet I remained a prisoner to these uncontrollable outbursts—especially when memories of him invaded my thoughts, unbidden and relentless.

"Another episode?" Martha's voice, laced with genuine concern, pulled me from my reverie. The seasoned coffee shop owner had welcomed me with open arms upon my arrival at Mist Mountain. Despite her warmth, I couldn't shake the feeling of being a burden, an unwanted guest in this idyllic haven.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry," I mumbled, hastily swiping away the melting crystals. "I promise it won't affect the quality of the drinks."

Martha's weathered face softened, her eyes filled with motherly compassion. "Dear, my concern lies not with the beverages but with you and those precious little ones."

Automatically, my hand gravitated towards my swollen belly. At four months, the evidence of new life was undeniable. As if sensing my touch, a gentle flutter stirred within, accompanied by a familiar coolness seeping through my palm. One of the twins, reacting to the unpredictable ebb and flow of my powers.

"They're perfectly fine," I reassured her, forcing a smile. Yet, the truth was harder to ignore. Fatigue clung to me like a shadow, and dizzy spells were becoming an all - too - frequent companion. According to the pack doctor, the pregnancy was progressing as expected, but the stress of hiding in plain sight while carrying twins was taking its toll.

I turned my attention back to the signature drink, "Moonlight Frost" latte. Its unique silver - blue hue glistened in the glass, a poignant reminder of my true self. The irony wasn't lost on me; I'd created a beverage that mirrored my eyes, all while desperately concealing my identity in this unfamiliar place.

"Once you've finished that order, I need you to prepare samples of the special Winter Moonlight Ball blend," Martha instructed, adjusting her apron. Her eyes sparkled with pride. "For fifty years, our humble shop has been the exclusive provider of the signature drink for the ball. And this year, Alpha has requested a silver - blue theme."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Silver - blue? That's... rather unconventional."

"Indeed. Traditionally, we use gold or amber to symbolize wolf eyes." Martha shrugged. "But who are we to question the Alpha's decision?"

Silver - blue. The color of my true eyes, now hidden behind a pair of colored contacts. A coincidence, surely. It had to be.

Martha continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. "The Winter Moonlight Ball is quite the event, you know. Alphas from neighboring packs, representatives from the North American Werewolf Alliance—they all attend. The decorations are simply breathtaking..."

My phone vibrated, cutting her off mid - sentence. I glanced at the screen and my heart skipped a beat. An encrypted number—Vivian.

"Martha, would you excuse me?"

"Of course, dear. Take your break. The morning rush is over."

Stepping into the mist-choked alley, I answered. "Vi?"

"Vortend got your prenatal records." Her whisper frayed at the edges.

My lungs locked.

"I told him you lost the baby," she continued, "but Selene... he just froze. Like something inside him shattered."

A traitorous warmth flickered in my chest.

Would he even care?

Vivian's voice dropped lower. "Malcolm's back from Europe. Vortend still hasn't claimed Adriana as mate. Something's wrong."

Before I could respond, the fog behind me shifted.

A figure materialized—broad-shouldered, steel-gray hair glinting like tempered metal in the gloom.

Alpha Archer Pierce.

His gaze dropped to my belly, and I fought the urge to wrap my arms protectively around it.

"Ms. Bennett." A slight nod, his voice deep yet measured. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

I hid my hands behind my back, residual frost melting instantly.

"Just confirming solstice beverages," he continued, lips quirking in a ghost of a smile. "Particularly that silver-blue specialty."

His eyes lingered on mine—just a heartbeat too long. Enough to set my nerves alight.

"You have a talent for creating... memorable things."

The words fell softly, yet weighed like stones.

Does he know?

"Vortend Fenris will attend," he added, watching my reaction. "You should meet him. After all..."

A pause. Something strange flickered in those gunmetal eyes.

"Some reunions are inevitable."

Then he was gone, the mist swallowing his form as though he'd never been there.

I stood frozen, pulse hammering.

How much does he actually know?

I’d already changed my surname to my mother’s, and my most distinctive feature—my eyes—were hidden behind specially tinted contacts.

He was an Alpha. If he saw through me, why didn’t he call me out? A rogue wolf was a threat, after all.

My mind raced with possibilities—some scheme, some trap. Then it hit me—I’d keep testing him. After all, I had nowhere else to go.

Before I could respond, his phone rang. As he answered, the air around us grew charged, and the mist seemed to thicken.

"That was an interesting call," he said, his eyes sharpening after hanging up. "Alpha Vortend Fenrith has expressed interest in attending our ball. A first in our history."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. My vision blurred, and I knew, without looking, that my eyes had flashed their true, silver - blue color.

"Are you alright?" Archer's voice sounded distant, as if coming from the bottom of a well.

"Fine," I managed to say, taking slow, deep breaths. "I've just... heard stories about Alpha Vortend."

Archer's expression softened. "He's not the monster they make him out to be." His gaze dropped pointedly to my belly, and I fought the urge to wrap my arms protectively around it.

"Just a habit," I lied, forcing a laugh. "Alpha, with all due respect, having the Black Pine Alpha here could pose a security risk."

"I understand your concerns," he said smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine. "But we can't afford to let potential threats roam freely in our territory. We need to keep our enemies close, where we can watch them."

With that, he melted back into the mist, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.

Vortend was coming. And in this game of secrets and lies, I was running out of places to hide.