Chapter 2

Adrian's POV

Two years later….

“Sit down,” I said.

The whole room went silent. A second later, the sound of chairs scraping the floor filled the space as everyone obeyed. I didn’t have to raise my voice. I never do. They all know who I am, and they know what happens when someone tries to push me.

I scanned everyone in the room. They were all prestigious men in suits, shiny watches, and polished shoes. Half of them looked like businessmen, but I knew better. These weren’t just company reps…..they were wolves, some tied to rival packs, and some pretending to be allies. They all wanted something, they always do.

Finally, one of the older men cleared his throat. His tie was straight, but his hand shook as he set a paper down. “Alpha Hale, with all due respect,” he began, “this merger proposal weakens your pack’s standing in the city. The Vegas have already started raising questions about your leadership. If we push forward……”

I leaned back, slow and calm, one arm resting over the back of my chair. “The Vega family can question me all they want,” I said. “This city belongs to me. If they don’t like it, they can challenge me directly.”

The man’s voice died in his throat. He lowered his eyes, nodding quickly. He wouldn’t dare push further.

“Good,” I muttered. I hate repeating myself.

The room stayed quiet until Marcus finally spoke. Marcus was my Beta and right-hand man. He sat at the far end of the table, looking completely relaxed, like this meeting was a casual dinner.

“Gentlemen,” Marcus said smoothly, “you heard the Alpha. We’re not here to circle with fears. The deal is already set. Let’s not waste time.”

He smiled as he spoke, polite, calm, maybe even reassuring if you didn’t know him. But I knew him. That smile wasn’t for them, it was for me. He liked to test me, to see how I’d handle things. He’d been doing it for years.

Another man, one of the younger ones, shifted in his chair. “Still, Alpha,” he said carefully, “there’s another matter. Hale Enterprises has been under pressure recently. Investors are restless. The packs are whispering. A Luna at your side would… settle things. It would show stability.”

The entire table went still again. Even Marcus stopped tapping his pen. Everyone looked at me, waiting.

I set both elbows on the table and leaned forward. My voice was even lower now. “My strength doesn’t depend on who sits next to me. My pack knows who leads them, you do too.”

No one moved or spoke. I could feel the weight of my words sink in.

The younger man’s face turned red. He swallowed hard and nodded quickly. “Of course, Alpha. Forgive me.”

I stood up, pushing my chair back. The sound echoed in the quiet room. “The meeting's over,” I said. “Next time, come with real concerns instead of gossip.”

Chairs scraped again as they all rushed to stand. Papers were gathered and files were closed. They didn’t look at me as they filed out, whispering once they thought I couldn’t hear. I could hear every word, but I ignored it.

“Cowards,” I thought. “Always whispering, never brave enough to speak up in front of me.”

When the last of them left, Marcus stayed behind. He didn’t move from his chair. He just leaned back, hands behind his head, watching me like he was waiting for something.

“You handled that well,” he said finally, voice casual.

I looked at him. “They were wasting my time.”

He gave a little shrug. “Maybe, but they do have a point.”

“About what?” I asked flatly.

He leaned forward now, folding his arms on the table. “About the Luna. Two years without one? People notice and they talk. You could end the whispers with one simple move.”

My jaw tightened. “Don’t start.”

He lifted his hands like he was surrendering. “Fine, I won’t. But you know what I’m getting at. Sometimes strength alone isn’t enough. Politics matter too.”

I stared at him, holding his gaze. He didn’t look away, but that didn’t matter. He knew where the line was, and he was toeing it.

“Drop it,” I said finally.

There was a pause. Then he smirked. “Of course, Alpha. Always your call.”

I didn't respond.

Marcus stood, finally. “You know I’m only looking out for you,” he said.

I didn’t turn around. “I know exactly what you’re looking for.”

He laughed under his breath, but he didn’t deny it.

“Try and see things from my…….”

I sighed. “I already told you, drop it.”

“Come on, Adrian,” he said, using my name instead of my title. He only did that when we were alone. “You know they’re right. The Luna issue won’t disappear just because you ignore it.”

I turned my chair back toward the window. “And I won’t solve it by choosing someone I don’t want.”

He tilted his head. “You’ve already waited two years. Two years of whispers and other packs calling you unstable. Don’t you get tired of hearing it?”

“They can whisper all they like,” I said flatly. “I don’t care.”

Marcus chuckled. “You always say that, but I know you. You hear everything, you watch everything and you care more than you admit.”

I didn’t answer. He wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.

He pushed off the table and walked toward me. “Listen, I’m loyal. I’ve always been loyal but the others? They’re nervous. If they think you can’t give them security, they’ll look somewhere else. You know how packs work.”

I finally looked at him. “Is that a warning?”

He smiled again. “Not a warning, it’s just advice. You can’t lead forever without someone at your side. People want a Luna and they want to see balance.”

“I don’t need balance,” I said.

“You do,” he pressed. “Every strong Alpha has someone next to him. That’s how it works. That’s how it’s always worked.”

I stood, slow and controlled. “Not me.”

For the first time, his smile faltered just a little but he covered it quickly. “You can’t keep holding on to a ghost.”

My jaw tightened. “Careful, Marcus.”

“I don’t know what you hate about Evelyn Black,” he said anyway, his tone casual like he was talking about the weather. “You know her. She’s smart, elegant and she comes from a strong family. The pack respects her, the same thing with the board. She’s been waiting for you to open your eyes.”

I clenched my fists. “I said don’t.”

He didn’t back down. “What’s wrong with her? She’d give you heirs, she’d stand by you in public, she’d strengthen your position. She already acts like Luna half the time.”

“She isn’t.” My voice was sharp.

Marcus leaned closer. “Then who is? Sierra? The one who disappeared? The one no one has seen in two years? She’s gone, Adrian. Everyone knows it and maybe it’s time you accepted it too.”

My chest tightened. I took a step toward him. “Watch your mouth.”

He didn’t move. “I’m telling you what no one else dares to say. You’re chasing a shadow while the rest of us are fighting to hold this city together. You want loyalty, but loyalty won’t last if you don’t give people stability.”

I grabbed the edge of the table so I wouldn’t put my hands on him. “Sierra is not your concern.”

He smiled again, that same calm smile that made me want to break his jaw. “She was never really mine to worry about, but she was yours and you lost her.”

I could hear my own heartbeat. I could feel the rage crawling under my skin. He knew he’d crossed a line, but he stood there like he hadn’t. Like he wanted to see how far I’d go.

Finally, I forced myself to speak. “Leave.”

Marcus tilted his head, studying me. “Think about what I said.”

“Now,” I growled.

He walked to the door, slowly, looking unbothered. Before leaving, he glanced back. “You can’t run a pack on memories, Adrian. Sooner or later, you’ll have to choose the future.”

I sat down at my desk and opened the top drawer. Inside, everything was neat: pens lined up, folders stacked, nothing out of place. Except for one small box pushed all the way to the back.

I pulled it out slowly. My chest tightened before I even opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

I held it up once more and my chest ached. My wolf stirred inside me, restless, angry, lonely. He never accepted the rejection. Neither did I. I whispered, so softly no one could hear, “I’ll find you.”