BloodMoon: Captivated by the Forbidden Lycan Alpha
Chapter 107: TRIUMPH RETURN

Chapter 107: TRIUMPH RETURN

{"With the new day comes new strength and thoughts, new mates."}

GENERAL TIGERS POV

The wind carried the scent of rain, but it wasn’t the storm brewing in the sky that had my wolf pacing inside me, it was the wait. I stood at the fortress gates, my arms crossed over my chest, eyes fixed on the distant road. The border guards had sent word: Raph, Rita, and Flora were returning from Sagstone Mountain. My chest tightened at the thought of seeing Ralph again. They had gone to hunt down Aqua and Fennel, and the mission had been only half successful. Aqua was dead, perishing at the hands of the beast guardians of the Golden Path. Fennel and Amos, slippery as ever, were still hiding in the mountains, but the guards had their orders, to watch them, track them. None of that mattered to me right now.

Ralph.

His name alone sent a shiver through me, an ache I didn’t dare put into words. My wolf Tiger had sensed it before he left, Raph was my mate. I felt it in the marrow of my bones, how my pulse quickened at the thought of him. But I needed to see him again, to stand before him and feel that pull, that undeniable force tying us together.

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady myself. What if I was wrong? What if he didn’t feel it? What if...No. My wolf had never been wrong before. A voice interrupted my thoughts. "They should be here soon, General." One of the guards stood at my side, his tone careful, measured. Did he sense my unease?

I only nodded. Words felt unnecessary. Minutes dragged into eternity. The distant rustling of the trees, the occasional shifting of the guards behind me, the soft crunch of my boots on the dirt, I noticed every sound, every scent, every shift in the wind.

Then, finally, movement on the road. My heart pounded. Three figures emerged from the fading light; their steps weary but strong. My gaze locked onto one, Raph. My breathing hitched, my wolf surging to the surface. This was it. The moment of truth. Was he mine? Would he know it too? I squared my shoulders and stepped forward, ready to find out. I stood still, watching as three figures emerged from the tree line, their forms cutting through the mist curling at the edge of our territory.

Rita and Flora walked ahead; their postures guarded but steady. But it was the third figure that had me unsettled. Ralph’s dark eyes swept the land, taking in the pack’s borders, the guards stationed nearby, the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs. Then, they landed on me and halted. I watched the way his gaze raked over my body, slow and deliberate. From the heavy boots planted firmly in the dirt, to the black tactical pants hugging my thighs, up to the curve of my shoulders and the sharp line of my jaw. He didn’t just look, he studied. Memorized. Possessed.

A deep growl rumbled in my chest, low and primal.

"Mate." Tiger’s voice thundered through my mind, raw and unyielding.

Ralph’s lips quirked slightly, a hint of something dangerous flashing in his gaze. Recognition. Amusement. And something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name.

"General Tiger" he greeted, his voice smooth, threaded with curiosity. He took another step forward, closing the space between us with a confidence that made my blood heat.

I exhaled slowly, trying to bury the wildfire rising in my chest. Control. Hold it together.

"Congratulations on bringing down Aqua. I hope Fennel and Amos will be caught soon," I said, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.

Rita and Flora glanced at each other and I sensed the way they held back laughter but Ralph didn’t flinch. He didn’t falter and his eyes stayed locked on me, unwavering.

"Indeed. Thank you for your warm welcome." Ralph responded.

We moved away from the border, the distant rustle of the trees fading as we entered the heart of the Bay Shifter Pack’s land. Flora walked beside me; her voice steady as she briefed me on everything that had transpired in Sagstone Mountain. I listened, nodding at the right moments, though my focus kept slipping.

Behind us, Ralph and Rita lingered, their presence shadowed by the guards stationed at the perimeter. I didn’t need to turn around to know that Ralph’s eyes were still on me, I felt them. The weight of his gaze burned against my back, steady, unrelenting. I forced my stride to remain even, my shoulders squared. A leader doesn’t falter. A warrior doesn’t react. And yet, my wolf, Tiger, prowled beneath my skin, restless.

By the time we reached the pack’s dining hall, a feast had already been laid out. The scent of roasted meats and fresh-baked bread filled the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation as our pack members gathered, awaiting our arrival. Word had spread fast. The border guards must have relayed our approach the moment we crossed over.

Flora sat beside me, while Rita and Ralph settled across the table. Platters of food were passed around, laughter bubbling between them as they fell into easy conversation. I listened, silent, as they teased each other between bites, Rita prodding Ralph about his lack of patience, Flora calling Rita out for being the worst hunter in Sagstone, Ralph countering with some smug remark that had them all chuckling. I should have joined in. Should have allowed myself to settle into the moment. But my mind was elsewhere, my body betraying me with every lingering glance Ralph cast in my direction. He wasn’t even subtle about it. I could feel his eyes on me, watching, waiting.

And my wolf, damn him, purred in satisfaction. I gripped my fork tighter, willing the heat rising in my chest to simmer down. The food before me tasted like nothing. The sound of their laughter blurred in my ears. The battle inside me waged on, sharp and merciless and I knew I was seconds from bursting out while my chest felt too tight, my skin burning from the weight of Ralph’s lingering gaze.

I pushed my chair back and stood, clearing my throat. "Excuse me. I have something to do. Enjoy the rest of the evening"

Flora’s eyes flickered to me, brows furrowing, but she didn’t question it. Rita was too busy laughing at whatever joke Ralph had muttered under his breath. I turned on my heel before anyone could stop me, striding out of the hall, keeping my movements controlled. Unhurried. But the second I was out of sight; I picked up my pace.

The cool night air hit my skin as I stepped outside, but it did little to cool the fire roaring beneath my ribs. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I moved swiftly through the pack grounds, heading toward my quarters. Away from him. Away from that knowing smirk, those sharp eyes, that insufferable confidence that only made this situation worse.

Tiger, my wolf was furious and he pushed the words through Coward.

I ignored him and soon I reached my home, shoved the door open and stepped inside, inhaling deeply, trying to steady myself. I barely had time to exhale before the door slammed shut behind me. A hard body pressed against my back. Heat. Strength. The scent of pine, musk, and something dangerously intoxicating filled my senses.

Ralph.

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and spun me, shoving me against the wall. My back hit the wooden panels with a dull thud, but the real impact was the fire surging between us, the air so thick, I could barely breathe. Ralph’s hands were firm but not forceful as they pinned mine against the wall, his body pressing into mine just enough to make my pulse riot. His golden-brown eyes burned into me, sharp, demanding.

"You’re running from me," he murmured, his voice a low, smooth rasp. Not a question. A statement.

I clenched my jaw. "Run, why should I?"

A smirk ghosted across his lips. "Really? Because that’s exactly what it looked like."

His grip on my wrists tightened just slightly, not enough to hurt but enough to make my breath hitch. His touch was fire against my skin, scorching, consuming. My wolf howled, clawing at my control, wanting, needing, to claim, to take.

I gritted my teeth, fighting against the unbearable pull. I knew that what held me back was that Ralph was a Rogourau and felt that the Bay shifter pack would judge my mate one way or the other "

"You know what this is," Ralph murmured, his voice softer now, but no less intense. "I know you feel it."

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. Of course, I felt it. It was impossible not to. The way my body recognized him, the way my soul ached for him—it was undeniable.

I exhaled sharply. "It doesn’t change anything."

Ralph’s expression darkened, his smirk vanishing. He leaned in, his lips inches from mine.

"Liar."

The single word sent a violent shiver through me.

His breath was warm against my skin, his body heat wrapping around me like a vice. Every fiber of my being screamed to close the distance, to give in, to stop fighting. I jerked my wrists free, shoving him back just enough to breathe. He let me go, but his eyes never wavered, the hunger in them making my stomach twist in a way I wasn’t ready to name.

"This, changes nothing," I said again, forcing my voice to remain steady.

Ralph tilted his head, studying me, before a slow, knowing smile curved his lips.

"We’ll see about that, General Tiger" And with that, he stepped back, leaving behind nothing but the scent of fire and temptation.

I stayed against the wall long after he was gone, fists clenched, breath uneven, my wolf snarling in frustration.

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