Chapter 5 The Mysterious Alpha

Selene

Four month later

Damn it. The cursed frost betrayed me from my fingertips again. I quickly clenched my fist, watching tiny ice crystals scatter like stardust across the wooden counter. Four months of grueling training, and I still can't control these power surges—especially when his memories stab mercilessly into my mind.

"Happening again?" Martha's voice pulled me back to reality. The coffee shop owner had taken me in since my first day fleeing to Mist Mountain. She's warm, but I can't shake the feeling—I'm a burden, an unwelcome guest lurking in this safe haven.

My cheeks burned. "Sorry," I murmured, quickly wiping away the already melting crystals. "Won't affect the drink quality."

Martha's expression softened, her weathered eyes revealing a sympathy that nearly suffocated me. "Dear, I'm not worried about the drinks, but you and those babies you're carrying."

They're fine. I'm fine. Stop looking at me like that.

My hand instinctively rested on my swollen belly. Four months along—noticeable but not too conspicuous yet. As if responding to my touch, something moved slightly inside, a familiar coolness transferring through my palm. One of the twins, responding to my damn unstable abilities.

"They're good," I forced a smile. The truth? Exhaustion had become my default setting, dizziness like an unwanted roommate. The pack doctor said everything was normal, but carrying twins while hiding in plain sight was taking its toll.

I turned back to the signature drink I was preparing—the "Moonlight Frost" latte. Its unique silver-blue shimmer in the glass jarred my nerves. Fucking ironic; I created a beverage the same color as my real eyes, while desperately concealing my identity in this strange place.

"After this order, I need you to prepare samples for the Winter Moon Ball special," Martha said, adjusting her apron. Pride sparkled in her eyes. "For fifty years, our little shop has been the exclusive provider for the ball's beverages. This year the Alpha requested a silver-blue theme."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Silver-blue? That's... quite unusual."

Too damn coincidental.

"Indeed. Traditionally, gold or amber symbolizes wolf eyes," Martha shrugged. "But who questions the Alpha's decisions?"

Silver-blue. The color of my real eyes, now hidden behind contacts. This couldn't possibly be just coincidence.

"The Winter Moon Ball is a big deal," Martha continued, oblivious to my internal panic. "Alphas from neighboring packs, North American Werewolf Federation representatives—they'll all be there. The decorations are simply gorgeous—"

My phone vibration cut her off. I glanced at the screen, my heart stopping. Encrypted number—Vivian.

"Can I take this call?"

"Of course, dear. Take a break. Morning rush is over."

I walked into the misty alley and answered. "Viv?"

"Vortend got your prenatal records," her voice hissed with tension.

My breath froze.

"I told him you miscarried," she continued. "But Selene... he froze. Like something shattered inside him."

A damn warmth flashed in my chest.

Would he actually care?

"You've risked everything for me," I whispered.

"And I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Her voice cracked slightly. "We're sisters, Selene. Not by blood, but by choice. The strongest bond there is."

For the first time that day, I felt something besides fear—the warm certainty of knowing someone in this world would always have my back.

"Malcolm's back from Europe," Vivian's voice dropped lower. "Vortend hasn't marked Adrianna yet. Something's off."

Before I could respond, the mist behind me shifted. A figure emerged—broad shoulders, silver-gray hair glinting in the dim light like tempered steel.

Alpha Archer Pierce.

His gaze locked onto me. Not a predator's stare, but... appraising.

"Ms. Bennett," he nodded slightly, his voice deep and steady. "Hope I'm not disturbing you."

I hid my hands behind my back, afraid he'd notice the frost on my fingers.

"Just confirming the solstice beverages," he continued, his lips curling into a barely perceptible smile. "Particularly that silver-blue special."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment—just a moment too long—enough to set every nerve on edge.

"You have a gift for creating memorable things."

His words landed heavily in my chest.

Does he know?

"All the Alphas will attend," he added, watching my reaction. "You should prepare yourself."

He paused. Something unreadable flashed in those gunmetal eyes. "After all, some reunions are inevitable."

My mind went blank. What the hell was he talking about? Had he discovered me?

I've taken my mother's last name, and my most striking feature, my eyes, are hidden by special tinted contact lenses.

A thousand strategies flashed through my head. A powerful Alpha like him should have no trouble seeing through my disguise. Yet why not expose me outright?

Since he wasn't revealing me, or was he just speculating? I decided to maintain my cover, curious about his intentions.

His phone rang. As he answered, the air around us grew suffocatingly tense, the mist thickening with his changing mood.

"Interesting call," he said after hanging up, his gaze sharpening. "Alpha Vortend Fenrith expressed interest in our ball. First time in our history."

My world started spinning. Vision blurring, I didn't need a mirror to know—my eyes were turning back to that damn silver-blue.

Control yourself, Selene.

"Are you alright?" Archer's voice sounded distant, as if underwater.

"Fine," I managed, breathing deeply. "I just... heard things about Alpha Vortend."

Archer's expression softened slightly. "He's not the demon rumors make him out to be." His gaze fell sharply on my swollen belly, and I fought the instinct to shield it with my arms.

"Just a habit," I lied, forcing a smile. "Alpha, if I may, Black Pine's Alpha coming here might pose security risks."

"I understand your concern," he said calmly, his gaze still fixed on me. "But we can't allow potential threats to move freely in our territory. Keep enemies close, where we can watch them."

With that, he disappeared into the mist, leaving me alone with thoughts swirling like a tempest.

Vortend was coming. In this game of secrets and lies, I had nowhere left to hide anymore.

hide.