Page 2 of The Alpha's Addiction
"Thanks, Addy.I might take you up on that sooner rather than later.But enough about me.Tell me everything.How’s the business?The town?Met any handsome lumberjacks yet?"
I laugh, and some of the tension in my chest eases."Business is great.I picked up a fourth restaurant this week, so today was my first bake for them.It’s been a long day, but a good one."
"Look at you!Crushing it like the domestic goddess you are."
"Hardly."I laugh."But I’m proud of what I’ve built here.I really am.Even if I haven’t made many friends yet."
"You will.You’re amazing.And once they taste your cinnamon rolls, they’ll be lining up to hang out with you."
"You’re biased."
"Damn right I am.Someone’s gotta be your hype woman."
Before I can respond, I hear a voice shouting in the background.
"Holly!Break’s over!"
She groans."Ugh.Gotta go.I swear, if my boss gets one more iced coffee and forgets to say thank you, I might dump it in his lap."
I smile."Text me later."
"Will do.Love you, Addy."
"Love you more."
I hang up and stare at my phone for a second longer than necessary.Then I set it aside, wash my hands, and turn back to my kitchen.
There’s still so much to do before bed.Frosting.Packaging.Tidying.I roll up my sleeves and get to work, losing myself in the rhythm of spreading frosting and arranging cookies in perfect rows.
But even as I focus on the task at hand, I can’t help but feel that same ache again.That quiet, persistent tug that says something is missing.Something—or someone.
I shake it off.Maybe it’s just the solitude talking.Or maybe I need to start saying yes to more invitations, stepping outside my comfort zone.Maybe tomorrow I’ll walk into town, grab a coffee, and smile at a stranger.
Maybe tomorrow, everything will start to change.
Maybe…
TWO
Rhodes
The wind carriesthe scent of pine and damp earth as I trek the familiar dirt path from my pack’s land into town.My boots crunch over fallen needles and soft gravel, the only sound cutting through the stillness around me.Morning fog lingers in the hollows of the forest, curling around the trunks of tall evergreens like fingers.It’s peaceful here, wild and quiet.It’s the kind of place where a man and a wolf could breathe.
Usually, I love this walk, but something about today feels off.
My wolf is restless.He’s been pacing beneath the surface of my skin, ears twitching, nostrils flaring, ready for something.I just don’t know what.
He’s been on edge for weeks now, agitated in a way I haven’t felt since I took over as Alpha of the North Section of Night Grove Falls years ago.
I run a hand through my thick black hair, the early morning chill biting at my fingers, and exhale a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.The trees thin ahead, revealing the winding road that cuts through the town of Night Grove Falls.Beyond the tops of the trees, rooftops peek through the mist, barely visible in the distance.
Night Grove Falls is split into four sections, each run by a different Alpha.My land is in the north and covers the northern border, closest to the river and the old logging roads.It’s the quietest part of town, full of dense forest, winding trails, and the occasional rogue hiker.Perfect for a pack that values solitude and strength.
The other Alphas and I have taken over in the last ten years—Cyrus, Camden, Foster, and me.We were young, stubborn, and worried about the trouble that seemed to be growing in town.So, we took over power from the previous Alphas.Now, we keep the peace.We share borders.We trust each other and work together to make Night Grove Falls a solid and peaceful pack.
"Ever get that weird déjà vu feeling?"Cyrus asks, sneaking up on me.
I grunt as he falls into step beside me, his dark jacket zipped up to his chin, dark brown hair tousled and messy, like he’s hopped straight out of bed.
