Chapter 4: The First Crack

The days following Alec’s sudden reappearance were a whirlwind of emotions I had worked so hard to bury. Anger, disbelief, and the bitter sting of old wounds consumed me, making it nearly impossible to focus on my duties as Beta. The pack noticed, though none dared to confront me directly. Even Callum, usually so attuned to my moods, maintained a respectful distance, sensing that I wasn’t ready to talk.

But Alec didn’t leave. Not completely. I caught glimpses of him at the edges of the Silver Pine territory, his presence a constant reminder of the storm he’d brought into my carefully constructed world. He wasn’t reckless enough to cross our borders uninvited, but his persistence was maddening. Every time I saw him, my resolve hardened, yet a small voice in the back of my mind whispered questions I didn’t want to face.

Did he truly regret what he’d done?

Could I forgive him if he did?

One evening, as the sun dipped low and painted the forest in hues of gold and crimson, Callum found me by the riverbank. It was a place I often retreated to when the weight of my past felt unbearable. The sound of rushing water soothed me, its steady rhythm a reminder that life moved forward, no matter how much I wanted to stand still.

“He’s still out there,” Callum said, his voice calm but edged with concern. He didn’t need to say who; we both knew.

“I know,” I replied, my tone clipped. “He’ll leave eventually.”

Callum crouched beside me, his presence a steadying force. “And if he doesn’t?”

I didn’t answer immediately. The question hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken truths. Finally, I sighed and turned to face him. “What do you want me to say, Callum? That I’m tempted to let him in? That a part of me still…” My voice broke, and I swallowed hard. “He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness.”

Callum’s gaze softened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes. “Sometimes forgiveness isn’t about what they deserve, Evelyn. It’s about what you need to move forward.”

His words struck a chord, but I wasn’t ready to let them sink in. Instead, I shook my head and stood, brushing the dirt from my hands. “I don’t need him. And I don’t need his apologies.”

Callum rose with me, his expression unreadable. “You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met, Evelyn. But even the strongest wolves need to heal.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked away, the sound of the river fading as I put distance between us.

Later that night, I found myself unable to sleep. The air in my room felt stifling, and no matter how many times I turned over, rest eluded me. Giving up, I slipped out of bed and into the cool night air. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of an owl. I let my feet carry me without direction, the familiar paths of the territory guiding me.

It wasn’t long before I felt him. The prickle of awareness, the subtle shift in the air that signaled his presence. I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding despite my best efforts to stay calm.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said, my voice steady even as my pulse raced.

Alec stepped into view, his golden eyes catching the moonlight. “I couldn’t stay away.”

I crossed my arms, keeping my distance. “That’s not my problem.”

He took a cautious step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “Evelyn, please. Just hear me out.”

I wanted to walk away, to shut him out the way I had so many times before. But something in his voice gave me pause. Reluctantly, I nodded. “You have five minutes.”

Alec exhaled, relief flashing across his face. “I… I’ve made so many mistakes. Believing Miriam, letting you go… I’ve replayed those moments every day since I realized the truth. And every time, I’ve wanted to find you, to tell you how sorry I am.”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Do you think an apology will fix this? Do you think you can undo years of pain with a few words?”

“No,” he said quickly. “I know I can’t. But I had to try. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t.”

His honesty disarmed me, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the Alec I had once believed in. But the wounds he had left were still raw, and I wasn’t ready to let them close.

“Your time’s up,” I said, turning away. “Leave, Alec. And don’t come back.”

He didn’t follow. But as I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the end. The first crack in my armor had formed, and I hated how vulnerable it made me feel.