Reclaimed By The Alpha King
Chapter 73

’What’s going on with them?’ I thought to myself, confusion clouding my face. It was unusual for them to act this way.

I quickened my pace, catching up to Kaitlyn just as she was about to sit beside Liza at a table in the canteen. I sat down across from them, trying to remain calm, not wanting to make things worse by acting impulsively.

"I believe we’re all friends here, right?" I began, my voice soft yet steady. "If I’ve done something wrong, I’d like to know. Please, tell me what’s going on."

Neither of them responded. The silence was deafening, and I could feel my frustration bubbling to the surface. Why were they shutting me out like this?

"Even siblings have misunderstandings, but that doesn’t stop them from being family. I see both of you as my family here. But if you don’t feel the same way, fine." My voice edged with irritation as I looked at them both. "But if you aren’t going to tell me what I did wrong, then I won’t bother anymore."

Kaitlyn finally broke the silence, her voice carrying a note of disappointment. "If we’re family, why have you been ignoring us? We barely see you anymore, and when we do, it’s like you don’t even care. You’re too busy with the higher ranks of the pack."

Her words stung. Was that really how they saw me? A selfish person who didn’t care about them? I didn’t want them to think that way.

"I haven’t ignored you on purpose," I explained, trying to keep my voice calm. "I’ve been working with Alpha Derrick, Ma’am Elena, and others on the pack’s safety. There’s something... something terrible threatening us, and it’s bigger than all of us. We need outside help, and I’ve been trying to secure that. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner."

Liza turned towards me, her expression softer now, though she still seemed hurt.

"You didn’t talk to us at all," she said quietly. "It felt like we didn’t matter to you anymore."

"That’s not true!" I protested, meeting her eyes. "I care about both of you. More than you know. But what’s been happening... it’s too scary. I didn’t want to burden you with it, to make you live in fear of something we can’t control. I wanted to protect you."

I could feel the tension easing between us. They were listening, really listening now.

"We’ve been fighting something dark, something dangerous. It’s beyond anything we’ve faced before. I didn’t want you to worry. And most nights, when I get back, it’s too late to come to your rooms. I didn’t mean to push you away." I let out a breath, hoping they understood.

Kaitlyn’s expression softened, and Liza glanced at her before looking back at me.

"We just... we didn’t know what was going on. We thought you didn’t need us anymore," Liza said, her voice quieter now, more apologetic.

"I will always need you," I said with a small smile. "You’re my friends, my family here. I’m sorry for shutting you out."

Kaitlyn smiled slightly and took my hand, and Liza nodded in agreement. "We’re sorry too, for judging you before asking."

"Forgive us for acting this way," Kaitlyn added, and suddenly, we were all laughing, the tension melting away as we returned to our usual dynamic.

The conversation flowed easily after that, and we chatted until the food was brought to us. I was about to take a bite when I turned to look around the canteen, and that’s when I noticed Mohandia sitting alone, her face a picture of loneliness.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said to Liza and Kaitlyn, standing up and making my way over to where Mohandia sat, alone at a large table.

As I approached, I could feel eyes following me. Whispers passed between some of the others in the canteen, speculating on what was about to happen. Most of them still believed that Mohandia and I were enemies, that we couldn’t stand each other.

But I had no intention of fighting.

"Hey, Mohandia," I said with a smile as I reached her. "How are you doing?"

She looked up, clearly surprised by my friendly tone. "I’m fine, thank you," she replied softly.

"Come sit with us," I offered, gesturing back to the table where Liza and Kaitlyn were. "We’ve got room for one more."

Mohandia hesitated, glancing at the others in the room, clearly unsure of how to respond. "No, thanks. I don’t want to impose."

"Come on," I encouraged. "They’ll be happy to have you join us. We’re all friends here."

With a gentle tug, I pulled her up from her seat, and together, we walked back to my table. The room seemed to freeze as everyone watched us. Shocked faces stared at the sight of me and Mohandia walking side by side, smiling and chatting.

At the table, Liza and Kaitlyn welcomed her warmly, and soon enough, we were all deep in conversation, laughing and sharing stories as we ate.

---

It had been over a month now since the last attack from the silent beast. Many in the pack believed we were free from its terror, that the worst had passed. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t over. Something still lingered in the air, a threat yet to reveal itself.

That evening, I was alone in my room, preparing for bed, when a strange noise from outside suddenly startled me. My heart raced as I jumped to my feet and ran outside, my body tense with fear.

But when I stepped outside, there was no one. Just silence.

’Did I imagine it?’ I thought, feeling uneasy.

Just as I was about to go back inside, a voice—a cold, terrifying voice—echoed in my mind, freezing me in place.

"I am back, and this time, I will take everything that belongs to the Night Walker pack. I will leave them with nothing but memories of their destruction."

My heart stopped. That voice... it was the silent beast.

Terror gripped me as I stood there, my hands trembling. It wasn’t over. Not yet.