Page 11 of Sweet on the Alpha

“I was young and brash, yes. I thought I could take him on and end his reign of terror. But I underestimated him. The fight… it was brutal. And in the chaos, lives were lost. Good wolves were caught in the crossfire of my arrogance and his cruelty.”

My voice breaks, the old grief as raw as ever. In the back, Grace’s eyes glisten with tears, her hand pressed to her heart.

“I’ve carried the guilt of that day with me ever since. It’s driven me, shaped me, made me swear to never again let pride or anger cloud my judgment. I can’t change what happened, but I’m not that reckless young wolf anymore.” I straighten my shoulders, meeting the gazes of the assembled townsfolk head on. “I came to Maplewood Grove looking for a fresh start, a chance to build a life free from the shadows of my past. Here, with all of you… with Grace.” I glance at her, my heart in my eyes. “I’ve found more than I ever dreamed possible—a community, a home… a love worth fighting for.”

The room is silent, hanging on my every word.

“I know trust has to be earned. I’m not asking for blind faith or instant forgiveness. All I’m asking is for a chance to prove myself, to show you the man I am today, the man I’m still striving to be.”

As I finish, a swell of applause rises from the crowd. People nod, some even standing in a show of support. At the back, Grace beams at me, pride and love shining from her face.

Suddenly, a snarl rips through the room. Victor lunges forward, his face a mask of fury. “You think a few pretty words can erase what you’ve done?” he shouts, spittle flying from his lips. “You’re a murderer, Donahue. A traitor to your own kind!”

He moves to rush the stage, but I step forward, holding up a hand. Around us, people tense, ready for a fight.

I keep my voice calm, my posture relaxed. “No, Victor. I’m not a murderer or a traitor. I’m a man who’s made mistakes and is working every day to atone for them. Just like everyone else in this room.”

Victor bares his teeth, looking half-mad with rage. “You don’t deserve atonement. You don’t deserve her.” He jabs a finger toward Grace, who glares back defiantly. “And I’m going to make sure everyone knows it.”

He coils to spring, but before he can move, a wall of bodies interposes itself between us. The townsfolk, human and shifter alike, form a living barrier, standing with me against Victor’s hatred.

“I think you’d better leave, son,” the mayor says sternly. “You’ve said your piece, and we’ve made our choice. Aiden is one of us now.”

Victor looks around wildly, searching for support but finding none. With a final, impotent snarl, he turns on his heel and storms out, the door slamming behind him.

In the ringing silence that follows, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders. The burden of my past, while not gone, feels lighter, shared by the community that’s claimed me as their own.

And then Grace is there, pushing through the crowd to throw herself into my arms.

I catch her, burying my face in her hair and breathing in the scent of home. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers fiercely. “So damn proud.”

I clutch her tighter, my heart too full for words. Around us, the townsfolk begin to disperse, smiles and nods of encouragement following in their wake.

Grace pulls back, her eyes dancing with mischief even as they swim with tears. “You know, I think this calls for a celebration. And I happen to have a fresh batch of ‘Victorious Vanilla Cupcakes’ waiting at the bakery.”

I laugh, the sound rusty but genuine. “Lead the way, sunshine. I think I’ve earned a taste of something sweet.”

Hand in hand, we slip out into the night, the future stretching bright and full of promise before us. And for the first time in longer than I can remember, I’m not afraid to meet it head-on.

With my mate by my side and the support of my newfound pack, I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

As we approach the bakery, Grace tugs me to a stop, rising up on her toes to brush a soft kiss across my lips. “Thank you,” she murmurs, “for fighting for us, for our future.”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs stroking her silky skin. “Always,” I vow. “You’re my everything, Grace. My north star. I’ll never stop fighting for you, for this life we’re building together.”

We seal the promise with a kiss, sweet and full of hope. And as we lose ourselves in each other, the first tendrils of dawn paint the sky in hues of gold and pink, heralding a new day and a new beginning for the alpha and his mate.

Chapter 7

Grace

I watch Aiden as he chats with the mayor, his posture relaxed and his smile genuine. Last night’s meeting, the baring of his soul, has transformed him. It’s as if a weight has been lifted, a shadow banished by the light of truth and acceptance.

I see him now, not as some flawless, mythical alpha, but as a man. Flawed, yes, but striving every day to be better, to make amends for his past, and to build a brighter future.

And moon help me, I love him all the more for it.

As if sensing my gaze, Aiden turns, his green eyes finding mine across the room. The warmth and tenderness in his look steals my breath and sends my heart racing in my chest.

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