Chapter 13 When Elaine looked around , her breath caught in her throat . More Rewards > Just a few feet away stood a massive black wolf , its fur glistening under the faint rays of sunlight that filtered through the canopy of trees . Its eyes - dark and intense - locked with hers , and in that moment she knew without a doubt : this was no ordinary wolf . This was an alpha . His size , the power radiating off him , the quiet authority in his gaze . It was undeniable . Her mind raced . What is he doing here ? No one is supposed to be here . This is my place . My escape . A flicker of panic surged through her chest , and instinct told her to run , to hide herself before he got too close . But something in his stare stopped her . It wasn't threatening , not the way she expected from an alpha who stumbled upon someone trespassing . Instead , his eyes seemed to say , Stay . Then , without warning , the black wolf padded gracefully behind a tree . Elaine's heart hammered as she heard the faint rustle of shifting bones and the soft crack of transformation . She quickly looked away , but not before catching the glimpse of a tall man slipping into his clothes . Heat flooded her cheeks at the sight of his toned , muscular frame , and she forced herself to turn toward the waterfall , pretending to admire the rushing water instead of staring . When he stepped back into view , fully dressed , he wore an easy smile that softened the strength of his features . His eyes - warm now , no longer shadowed by the wolf - found hers . " Hello ," he greeted , his voice smooth but carrying that undeniable alpha weight . " I hope I am not disturbing you . I was told no one comes here . " Elaine swallowed , trying to steady her voice . " Yes , no one's coming here , Alpha Darius . " " Except you ," the alpha replied lightly . She blinked , confused . " Huh ? " " No one comes here ," he clarified , his smile deepening , " except you . " " Oh . " She shifted slightly , feeling strangely caught off guard . " Yes , Alpha . I ... I like being alone . " His eyes studied her , curious yet gentle . 1/3 < Chapter 13 " Am I disturbing you ? " He asked , still smiling as though teasing her . More Rewards > Elaine's lips parted , caught between irritation and disbelief . Is he teasing me? Alphas weren't usually playful - at least not with her . " No , Alpha Darius , " she managed . " I was just shocked someone came here ." " Yeah , " he nodded , his voice calm . " My wolf needed to run . When I told Alpha Efrein , he said this was a good place since no one usually comes here . " Elaine nodded , fiddling with her hands . " Well , I'll leave you to it , Alpha . " She stood , intending to slip away and give him his space . But his hand lifted slightly , stopping her . " No , stay . Really . I'm the one intruding in your place . I'm sorry , I didn't know anyone came here . " The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard . She hesitated . Something about the way he looked at her - without judgment , without expectation made her chest tighten . She couldn't remember the last time someone had spoken to her with such kindness . Why do I feel ... connected to him ? Like he's someone I've known before , someone I lost a long time ago . The thought was overwhelming . " Anyway , " Darius continued , tilting his head slightly , " it seems you know me , but I don't know you ." " My name is Elaine , Alpha . " She hesitated , the words catching in her throat . " I am Beta Richard's assistant . " She almost said daughter , but the word burned too much . She wasn't Beta Richard's daughter anymore . She didn't have parents anymore . She was just ... alone . " Ah , yes . " Darius's expression softened . " That's why you look familiar . But tell me , what are you doing here all by yourself ? " Elaine looked away , toward the falls . " I like being alone . Away from other wolves . " Away from the whispers , the prying eyes , the endless judgment . But she didn't say that part aloud . " And here I am disturbing you ! " Darius exclaimed , his tone exaggerated in mock offense . The sound made Elaine laugh before she realized it . A short , genuine laugh escaped her lips , and the moment it did , her hand rose to cover her mouth . It had been so long since laughter 2/3 < Chapter 13 had come to her freely . She couldn't help it , though . He had drawn it out of her . " It's okay , " she said softly , still smiling . " I can share - for now , Alpha . " Darius's gaze lingered on her , unexpectedly struck . She's beautiful . More Rewards > He had seen her last night at the gathering , but now he realized he hadn't really seen her . Back then she wore smiles like masks - polite , empty , doll - like . The kind of smile that never reached the eyes . But this one ... this smile , born from laughter , lit her face in a way that made her seem entirely different . How could I have missed this ? he wondered . Elaine , meanwhile , felt his gaze and grew self - conscious . She quickly added , " And you're not disturbing me . As Alpha Efrein said , no one usually comes here . " Darius looked around , his eyes sweeping over the trees , the waterfall , the soft glow of sunlight glimmering off the water . " That's hard to believe , " he said thoughtfully . " This place is beautiful . " " Yes ," Elaine agreed quietly , her eyes fixed on the falls . " But it's on the edge of the pack . " He nodded , letting the quiet stretch between them . It wasn't an uncomfortable silence , though . It felt strangely balanced , as though both were content to let the moment settle without needing to fill it . For Elaine , that was rare . Usually , silence around others felt heavy , loaded with judgment . But here , with him , it simply ... was . Comments Get Bonus ( Ad ) > Vote 45