288 Return of the Alpha

    288 Return of the Alpha

    Lucian

    +8 Points

    The helicopter touched down at the Mooncrest base, thending smooth but heavy with everything we were bringing back. As I stepped out, I took a deep breath-Mooncrest’s air, crisp and familiar. Home.

    We moved through the corridor toward the building’s exit, and the noise hit us before the doors even

    opened.

    Outside, a crowd had gathered. Not just a few onlookers-dozens. Maybe hundreds. The cheering erupted the moment we stepped into view. People waved gs, threw flowers, shouted our names. The press surged forward like a pack of wolves in suits and lipstick, microphones like weapons aimed straight at our

    faces.

    “Alpha, Alpha-please tell us how you overcame ric after he double-crossed you and tried to cheat?” a man barked at my father, pushing a mic too close forfort.

    My father gave me a sly grin, then pointed his thumb toward me. “You’re asking the wrong Alpha.”

    Without another word, he pulled Martha close and shielded her from the mob as they slipped into their car. Smart move. Martha didn’t need this madness right now..

    Then all eyes turned to me.

    I cursed under my breath. Just what I didn’t need.

    “Alpha, Alpha!” another reporter shouted. “Can you confirm what happened after ric’s men shot the helicopter from the sky? The people are worried-they want answers.”

    I nced at Mara. She shook her head fast, eyes wide like don’t you dare. I couldn’t help it-Iughed.

    “We’ll issue a formal press release soon,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Right now, my Luna and I have

    work to do.”

    With that, I pulled her away from the crowd, through the madness, and into the waiting SUV. Denis was behind the wheel. Alpha Sam Lawless was already inside, seated beside Olivia-Martha’s old friend.

    I gave Sam a side nce. “You sure you’re not about to start a scandal? You’ve got a mate already, unless that mark on your neck is fake.”

    He smirked like a man who wasn’t sorry for a damn thing.

    “Where’s your souvenir, Alpha?” I asked, half-joking.

    Without missing a beat, he reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a small ziplock bag. Inside it, perfectly preserved, was a single frozen eye.

    “Payment,” he said, smiling coldly. “For a debt owed.”

    “Dude, put that away,” I said, halfughing, half-serious.

    288 Return of the Alpha

    +8 Points

    Sam chuckled and slid the frozen eye back into his inner pocket like it was a coin purse instead of a body

    part.

    “Olivia and I were just discussing military prospects for the women in Mistwood,” he said casually.

    I turned to Olivia, raising an eyebrow. “You recruiting for him now? Because the women you brought with you are already enlisted. Processing starts next week.”

    She blinked-caught off guard. “I-well-”

    “Beat you to it,” Sam said with a grin. “Alpha Lucian is fast on the draw.”

    “Please,” I said with a nod. “Just Lucian.”

    “In that case-call me Sam. Do you think we could do business together, Lucian?”

    I looked at Mara, who met my gaze with that sharp glint she always got when the topic turned to strategy

    or power moves.

    “My wife runs Steel Corp,” I said. “I’m sure she’d be open to a deal-if it benefits both inds.”

    Sam nodded thoughtfully, clearly interested.

    “Thank you,” I added, tone softening. “Foring through. You didn’t have to.”

    “I wish I’d known sooner,” he replied. “If I had, maybe we could’ve prevented the bloodshed. Maybe your

    men wouldn’t have had to die out there.”

    Silence fell over the car for a beat. The weight of it settled in my chest like stone.

    They had names. Faces. Stories. And theyid down their lives for this ind.

    “They won’t be forgotten,” I said firmly. “A monument will go up in the city park. Their names etched in

    stone-for what they did, for who they were.”

    No more dying for nothing. Not on my watch.

    We rode in silence after that. Not out of awkwardness-but respect.

    We were going home. And it was ours again.