Page 6 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

"You can do this," she told her reflection, and for the first time in a long while, she almost believed it.

The path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. Would she find the connection she so desperately needed, or was she doomed to follow the tragic fate of so many lone wolves before her?

The questions swirled in her mind, a whirlpool of hope and fear. But for the first time in years, she felt a glimmer of.. something. A chance, however slim, to reclaim some part of herself that she thought was lost forever.

Her preparations continued as day turned to night. She carefully wrapped the photo album in a soft cloth, knowing that these memories of happier times might be the only thing that kept her grounded in the days to come.

Each item she chose to bring felt like a tether to her past, a reminder of who she was and where she came from.

Darkness fell as she finished packing. Stepping outside her shack one last time, she gazed up at the star-filled sky. The familiar constellations looked down on her, silent witnesses to her years of solitude.

Tomorrow, she would leave this place behind and set out into the unknown. The thought sent a shiver down her spine—equal parts fear and anticipation.

The forest around her seemed to hold its breath as if aware of the momentous decision she'd made. For so long, thesetrees had been her only companions. Now, she was choosing to leave them behind in search of something more.

Something real.

"I'm ready," she whispered to the night, a promise to herself and to whatever awaited her beyond the boundaries of her self-imposed exile. The words hung in the air, filled with determination and fragile hope. "I'm ready to find my pack."

Turning to go back inside, a breeze rustled through the trees. For a moment, she could have sworn she heard her mother's voice carried on the wind, urging her forward.

It was probably just her imagination, her mind playing tricks on her after years of loneliness. But she chose to take it as a sign, an encouragement from the family she'd lost to seek out the family she might yet find.

Tomorrow, everything will change. She'd take the first step toward reclaiming her life, her sanity, and her future. It wouldn't be easy—nothing worthwhile ever was. But for the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt alive. Truly alive, not just surviving.

She'd need every ounce of strength and courage she possessed because that's what it meant to be a wolf—to be part of something larger than yourself, to fight for your place in the world. And she was done hiding. She was done merely existing.

It was time to live again.

Time to howl.

Chapter 3 - Articus

The helicopter's descent was smooth, but the gusts of wind it kicked up were anything but. Articus braced himself as the aircraft touched down on the sprawling lawn of the Whiteborn estate.

The blades slowed to a stop as he stepped onto the manicured lawn of the compound. The crisp mountain air filled his lungs, carrying with it the scent of pine and something wilder—a reminder that he was no longer on his side of the mountain.

It had been years since he'd visited this part of their territory, and the differences were immediately apparent. As soon as the door slid open, he stepped out, making the descent to the ground in one drop.

Cassius was already waiting for him, a broad smile on his face that did little to hide the weariness in his eyes.

He looked every inch the leader of a powerful pack— tall, imposing, with that undeniable Whiteborn presence— but there was something else there, something Articus hadn't seen before. A weight that wasn't there the last time they met.

Cassius strode toward him with purposeful steps. His broad shoulders and confident gait spoke volumes about the kind of Alpha he was destined to become.

As he approached, Articus noticed the subtle differences between them despite their shared genetics, however far removed—where his hair was stark white, Cassius's was a warm platinum blonde.

"Articus!" Cassius called out, his voice carrying easily across the open space. "Welcome to Whiteborn territory."

Articus closed the distance between them, clasping his forearm in the traditional warrior's greeting. And then, to his surprise, Cassius pulled him into a firm embrace. Articus returned the hug, clapping his cousin on the back.

"Cassius," he replied, stepping back to take in the sight of him. "It's good to see you."

"And you." Cassius motioned toward the estate behind him, an impressive structure that had clearly been expanded since Articus last visited. "It's been ages since you walked these lands, eh?"

"Way too long, brother. Thank you for having me."

Cassius's grip was firm, and Articus could feel the strength in his arm. "The pleasure is mine. It's not every day we get a visit from the Alpha of the White Moon pack."

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