A weight dropped off my shoulders the second we set our paws on pack lands. Partially because as an Alpha, it felt uncomfortable to leave your pack behind in any shape or form.

You'd always feel that pull inside that guided you home, that urge to go back, to find your people and protect them. But... some pulls were simply stronger than others.

Flicking my ears, I glanced to the side to find Kyle panting lightly, the light tremble in his limbs cluing me in on the fact that his old injuries were hurting him.

Instantly I slowed down, placing little Ellie on the floor and watched her prance through the snow. "Sorry about that... we should be safer now that we're home." I apologized to Kyle, eyes flitting over his form before they strayed to the darkening forest behind him.

While I couldn't see him, I could smell Max's scent that lingered in the air. Either he was too daft to realize that we were standing downwind from him and could smell his scent, or he was doing it on purpose to not startle us.

Either way, I didn't know how to feel about this situation. On one end, I wanted to bar him from entering the pack, wanted to send the patrols after him as soon as he poked his nose out of the bushes.

But I wasn't a dictator. I had allowed ex-mates entry to the pack before, to help get some closure for both parties. That is, if both of them agreed to see each other.

And from what Kyle had told me, what he had shown me through his memories, Max hadn't taken "No." as an end to the discussion.

My hackles rose on a low growl as I stayed one pace behind Kyle, allowing him to walk on his own pace while keeping an eye on our surroundings.

Howls echoed through the woods in a joyful greeting before one of the border patrols approached. They slowed down with wagging tails, lowering their bodies to the ground as they spotted the quivering Ellie.

"Glad to see that the pup is safe and sound." Mark approached us, whining happily as my return took some pressure off of both my Betas.

Monica was sliding her body through the snow, rolling over to show Ellie that she wasn't a threat. Perhaps it was also thanks to her own injuries, but the little pup seemed less hesitant to approach her.

And I huffed with amusement when, soon enough, the entire patrol was forgetting their purpose and were all frolicking through the snow, welcoming the pup into the pack as they played around.

"Mark," I waited until my Beta looked up, golden eyes gleaming with understanding as I commanded, "Let the other patrols know we're back home and send out word that Kyle's ex-mate is lurking around."

"Yes Sir." Mark said with a little nod, his own hackles raising as he inhaled deeply, familiarizing himself with the scent that was carried over. "I'm assuming that there were some issues... You left rather quickly after giving instructions to keep the pack safe."

I snorted, shaking my fur out as I tried to shake off the lingering unease I felt. "Curtis lost whatever lone braincell that was hanging on and decided it would be a good idea to insult and threaten the life of Jethro's mate."

A hush of silence fell over the entire group, even Monica who had been running around with Ellie, skidded to a stunned stop. All eyes wide, mouths agape as the implications of that statement sunk in.

"Has he lost his mind? Is he trying to have his entire pack razed to the ground?" Mark yelped, several other wolves huffing and yawning in stress before shaking themselves out.

I snorted, as I doubted that Curtis had ever thought ahead of what he was doing. Angering a dragon of all creatures was something you only did willingly, if you had a death wish.

And more so if you wanted to see your entire world, everything you held dear to you, burn to ashes around you.

Shaking myself out once more, I replied "Besides that, it seems that Curtis had been trying to get rid of Kyle so he could dispose of the pup. Apparently he's the reason why we have a visitor lurking around the border."

Low growls filled the air as Kyle looked over his shoulder, tensing up at the very idea that Max was still following him.

"Can't he just take the hint already?!" Kyle growled, baring his teeth before lapping at his wrist, undoubtedly because of aching joints and tense muscles.

I nudged his size gently before reaching over to get a gentle hold of Ellie again. "Let's go. The sooner we get you inside, the sooner you can take a hot bath to soak your joints and muscles."

Kyle didn't even pretend he wasn't in pain. Everyone could see the tremble in his joints and the way he walked rather stiffly.

"We'll keep an eye out here and I'll set up a fixed patrol here to make sure he doesn't try and sneak in uninvited." Mark reassured before letting out a howl to alert the rest of the patrols.

There was an instant hush of several whispers on the mind link, the patrols instantly on high alert and greeting me when they realized I had returned.

"Any new arrivals?" I verified as Erina greeted us both warmly before crouching down at the pup.

"Why hello little one! Aw, look at how cute you are, with your little squishy cheeks-" Erina absolutely melted, gently grasping at Ellie's fuzzy cheeks before she glanced at me. "Oh, hello Alpha."

I huffed with amusement and shook my head before trotting off to get changed. When I came back fully dressed, Kyle came out of the opposite room while tucking his shirt in with great difficulty.

And my heart pinched painfully, as I could see the steady tremble in his hands, trying desperately to tuck his shirt properly.

"Here, let me." I offered as I saw Kyle's motions become shakier, the pain combined with frustration making things worse.

He scoffed in frustration but let his hands drop, allowing me to fix it properly so it wasn't hanging haphazardly on his body. As I reached around to tuck his shirt in the back of his pants, I paused as I noticed the growing blush on Kyle's cheeks.

"What...Eh, I mean..." He cleared his throat, nervously shuffling his weight before he glanced up. "What did...Asami mean....before, you know..."

Oh. I blinked, blinking again as I could feel my own face heat, especially with my hands still on Kyle's lower back, keeping us closely pressed together.

Oh...

With some reluctance, I managed to slowly remove my hands, making sure not to do it suddenly and startle Kyle in the process.

"Damn you Asami..." I cursed silently, scratching at my neck while trying to figure out how to say it without scaring Kyle off.

"I think, you at least have some idea." I started, making Kyle flush before he averted his gaze, awkwardly scratching through his hair.

Nodding, he replied, "I... I guess. But, how does that even work? I mean, we're not...mates.' He nearly sneered, eyes flitting to the wall and beyond, where Max was roaming around... somewhere.

"We're not." I answered simply, watching as Kyle looked at me in surprise and cocked his head. "But that doesn't mean we're dead."

A sigh escaped me as my own wolf snickered slightly because at one time, it felt like it. "While we're not mates, nor are there such a thing as second chance matings... there's still the simple human courtship and dating."

As soon as I mentioned courtship, Kyle's pale cheeks burned vibrantly, his grey eyes becoming more vibrant for a moment. Golden flex melted together with the grey, to show the wolf underneath.

Craving.

I could see it in Kyle's eyes, in his wolf's eyes. No matter how scarred he had been left behind by the supposedly sacred bond, being cast out and left to rot, his wolf and Kyle as well, were starved of affection.

But there was that lingering doubt. Wondering, fearing that the gentle kindness that was offered, was only a means to an end, an attempt to lure them in before they would be beaten back once more.

"But, " Kyle's eyes flashed back towards me as I spoke, "My first priority is your health. Even if there is some, hopefully mutual interest going on, I wanted to wait, give you a chance to process what has happened."

Kyle nodded, crossing his arms in front of himself as he leaned against the door, eyes flitting around the room. It were times like these where I wished I could actually read minds, not just hear the messages sent over the link.

"I... understand. I think." Kyle nodded, swallowing thickly as his legs trembled ever so slightly. I frowned before stepping up, heaving him off his legs with no effort at all, as Kyle nearly fell into my arms.

"The decision is entirely up to you, Kyle. I'm not going to force your hand, nor do you need to fear your place in the pack. Right now, you really need that hot tub for your joints and some time to relax."

He nodded, closing his eyes as sweat beaded on his forehead. I could feel his muscles trembling from overexertion and once again cursed the existence of his former mate in my mind before heading towards the hot springs.

However, there was a spark of hope that surged in my chest when Kyle leaned into my hold, inhaling deeply and sighing softly to himself.

"You have to understand that this, " I said with a little motion between us, "Is as new to me as it is to you. I've seen other wolves take the human route before, hell, even date humans in order to forget their ex. But I've never had any interest before."

Kyle nodded, cheek resting against my pecs as he sighed, "I understand, or at least, I'm trying to... I, I just need... a moment to collect my thoughts..."

I would give him all the time he needed, as I knew just how raw I had felt after the betrayal. How broken the rejection left both you and the wolf behind.

But I hoped that as I helped Kyle along in the process, that he would come to feel more than a mere acceptance of a wolf towards his Alpha.

And perhaps, that we could take slow steps for the future. A future that we perhaps, could share.