Page 3 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

“Octavio,” James greeted me with a nod, his voice tinged with weariness. “Have a seat. We need to talk about Brian.”

I settled in the chair opposite him, my gaze meeting his as we both contemplated the troubling developments within the Blackpaw clan. Brian’s audacious attempt to seize control, fueled by his rumored ties to the Bratva, had sent ripples of tension through the entire mountain community.

“We can’t afford to ignore this,” James said, his tone edged with determination. “Brian’s actions threaten not only the stability of the Blackpaws but the delicate balance we’ve worked so hard to maintain.”

I nodded in agreement, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. As Alpha of the World Walkers, it fell to me to ensure the safety and security of my pack, as well as the broader community of shifters and humans who called the mountain their home. We all lived and worked so well together,it was a haven of a community, but hard to maintain with someone like Brian in the mix.

“We need to be vigilant,” I said, my voice firm. “If Brian is going to cause any more trouble, we need to act.”

James’s expression hardened, a steely resolve gleaming in his eyes. “Agreed,” he said. “I’ll keep a close watch on all the Blackpaws and be prepared to act if necessary. It isn’t pleasant to think about, but it’s what we need to do. We’ve got Brian on a tight leash,” James continued, his voice tinged with frustration. “He’s essentially become our omega, but I still don’t trust him as far as I can throw him.”

“We’ll keep a close watch on him,” I said. “But we need to be prepared for anything. If Brian so much as twitches the wrong way, we’ll be ready to shut him down.”

As we discussed our plans to monitor Brian’s movements, a sense of unease settled over me. Despite our best efforts to maintain order and stability, the shadow of distrust still lingered, casting a pall over our once-united packs. Only time would tell if we could truly trust Brian to remain loyal or if his thirst for power would lead us all down a dangerous path.

With our business concluded, a brief moment of silence settled between us before I found the courage to broach a more personal topic.

“James,” I began tentatively, “I need your advice on something.”

James arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Of course, Octavio. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts. As I mulled over the idea of asking Irina out, a sense of apprehension weighed heavily on my mind. The last thing I wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable or pressured, especially given our new dynamic as employer and employee. Seeking advice,I turned to James, knowing his wisdom would provide much-needed clarity.

“James,” I began, hesitance lacing my words, “I recently hired a new woman to work at the head shop with me, but she is beautiful… stunning. As in I can’t get her off my mind however hard I try.”

He chuckled understanding my predicament. This was why I came to him about this. No one else could understand my predicament quite like he could since he had recently been through something similar not too long ago. Although his ended really well for him!

“I’m considering asking Irina out, but I’m worried it might come across as... inappropriate, given our professional relationship.”

James nodded thoughtfully, understanding the delicate nature of the situation. “I hear you, Octavio. It’s definitely a tricky line to navigate. You don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, especially as her boss.”

His words resonated with my own concerns, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for his guidance. “Exactly. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries or make her feel pressured in any way. But I really do like her. I truly can’t get her off my mind, no matter how hard I try. And I only really just met her. It’s wild!”

James placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his gaze steady and supportive. “Take it slow, Octavio. Get to know her better, gauge her reactions, and let things develop naturally. And above all, be respectful of her boundaries. If she shows any sign of discomfort, back off immediately.”

His advice was sound, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. “Thank you, James. I appreciate your perspective,” I said gratefully. “I’ll try and hold back. Even if all I want to do is grab hold of her!”

“Maybe you do, but you need to give it time, trust me.”

I nodded in understanding, but I had to admit that I wasn’t one hundred percent sure if this was something I would be able to do. Patience wasn’t exactly my strong suit, and I’d never seen anyone who captivated me quite like Irina did before. But James was right; if I ever wanted to stand a chance with her, then I needed to be careful.

I had to wait.

As darkness descendedand the world outside my window faded into obscurity, I found myself enveloped in the familiar embrace of sleep. Yet, even amidst the realm of dreams, there was no respite from the haunting memories that always lurked within the recesses of my mind.

The scene played out with agonizing clarity, as it so often did in the depths of the night. I was once again thrust into the heart of the chaos and terror that had shattered my world so many years ago—the relentless onslaught of hunters, the frantic cries of my family, the suffocating grip of fear that had clenched my heart.

I watched helplessly as the events unfolded before me, powerless to alter the course of fate. My parents, my birth pack—all gone in an instant, torn from me by the merciless hands of human cruelty. Hunters who didn’t care about our lives at all. And amidst the chaos, I was left alone, a lone survivor haunted by the echoes of loss. All because I had hidden away, too young and scared to fight back. Something I regretted endlessly now.

I stood amidst the charred ruins of my childhood home, the acrid scent of smoke and ash hanging heavy in the air. The scene continued to unfold before me with vivid clarity, each detailetched into the fabric of my mind with painful precision. A film reel that kept repeating that I couldn’t shut off however hard I tried.

The sound of gunfire echoed in my ears, mingling with the anguished howls of the dying and the desperate. Each moment stretched into eternity; each heartbeat a painful reminder of the fragility of life. And as the nightmare unfolded in relentless detail, I found myself consumed by a sense of helpless rage and despair.

Yet, even in the depths of despair, there flickered a glimmer of hope—a spark of resilience that refused to be extinguished. For despite the horrors that had befallen me, I had gone on to find solace and sanctuary among the World Walkers, a new family forged from the ashes of the old.

Although it wasn’t the easiest to recall that when the scent of death flooded my nostrils.

But in the desperation this time, a new face appeared.

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