Chapter 36

Jake’s POV

Morning light crept through the wide glazing of my study, bathing the area in a soft, bright, golden light. I sat at my desk, the faint scent of parchment and ink mixing with the crisp air from the partially open window. Normally, in such a setting, it would be my sanctuary, a place in which it would be easy to think and plan. But, today, my brain seemed leaden and my mind was reeling back through the past couple of days.

I sank back in my chair, flabbergasted at the collection of reports in front of me. Everything was chaotic—Jerome, the rogue attack, the elders’ demands, and, of course, Morticia.

A loud noise at the door pulled me back into myself.

“Enter, I called out, my voice sharper than I intended.

One of my men, a tall man with an imposing face, entered and bowed. “Alpha,” he began, his tone respectful. “We’ve completed the survey of the grounds as you ordered.

I leaned forward, clasping my hands together. “And? What did you find?”

“Nothing, Alpha. No signs of rogue activity. The perimeter is secure.”

I nodded (relief washes over me) but that was not to be. I knew the absence of rogues now didn’t mean we were safe. Jerome, Morticia’s father, was still a looming threat.

The warrior paused, his eyes wandering hesitantly before he spoke once more. “Alpha, if I may…”

“Speak,” I said curtly, already anticipating the question.

“What are we to do with Jerome? The elders have been pressing for a decision. They believe he should be executed, but…” He trailed off, clearly uncomfortable.

I felt my jaw tighten. Those with advanced age did not refuse the highest levels of pressure–asking Jerome to be taken out immediately. To them, he was a rogue, a threat that needed to be eliminated to ensure the pack’s safety. But to Morticia, he was still her father. Even though she showed her hatred towards him, I knew deep down she still cared about him. About the man that had taken her in from little.

“Forget about Jerome for a while,” I replied in a resolute way, my voice not allowing any possibility of disagreement. “He’s imprisoned and poses no immediate danger. I’ll handle him when the time comes.”

The warrior shifted uncomfortably, his brows furrowing. “Alpha, for the sake of being polite, the elders are getting impatient. They—”

“Enough!” I barked, standing abruptly. The chair crashed to the floor, its impact echoing throughout the room. My wolf stirred within me, its presence a low growl beneath my skin. “I am the Alpha!” I snapped, my voice like thunder. “My word is final, and they will follow it!”

The warrior flinched, bowing his head immediately. “My apologies, Alpha,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “I spoke out of turn.”

“Just don't let that happen again,” I said, voice emotionless, gaze meeting his.

“Yes, Alpha," He stood, saluted, and left the room abruptly, closing the door after him.

I exhaled heavily, raking a hand through my hair. My anger simmered beneath the surface, but it wasn’t just the warrior’s words that had set me off. It was everything—the pressure from the elders, the weight of my responsibilities, and the turmoil of my feelings for Morticia.

I slumped into my chair with elbows on the desk. and buried my face in my hands. My mind drifted back to last night, to Morticia slipping into my room under the cover of darkness.

Her presence had been like a balm to my frayed nerves, soothing and intoxicating all at once. When she rang my doorbell I imagined I might be in a dream. However, as soon as I could reach it, and I saw her standing there, eyes longing and wavering, I knew it was not the display that was real.

She had come to me, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

The way she felt in my arms, the way her lips molded perfectly against mine—it was everything I had ever wanted. She was everything I had ever wanted.

“I love you,” I had told her, the words spilling out like a confession. However, when she repeated them, it was as if the universe had been in equilibrium.

I can still remember the softness of her skin, the soft touch of her body against mine, the sound of her whispered moans as we got lost in each other. It was as if the only thing she had ever regarded as her whole world, and for the first time in ages, I understood I was not just an Alpha anymore.

However, in the gloaming light of the day, the burden of reality crushed me. Morticia was still engaged to Jacob, and despite knowing he didn’t want the engagement any more than she did, the situation was far from resolved.

A knock on the door drew me out of my daydream. This time, I didn’t respond immediately, needing a moment to collect myself. When the knock came again, I called out, “Enter.”

Another was a warrior, younger, and showing it. “Alpha, the council meeting is set for tomorrow. They’ll expect a report on Jerome then.”

“I got it,” i replied bluntly and waved him away.

Closing the door, I leaned back in my chair and gazed at the ceiling. Council meetings would also be another battleground and to be frank I wasn't sure whether I had the stomach to fight it.

My thoughts drifted back to Morticia, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine a future where things were simpler—where she was mine without question, and we didn’t have to hide our love from the world.

But that future felt impossibly far away.

Still, I wasn’t giving up. Morticia was my mate, my destiny. No matter what challenges lie ahead, I would risk it for he

Over time, however, I tried to stay present with the work, but my mind seemed compelled to visit Morticia. The memory of her smile, her touch, her whispered words of love—they were a constant presence, pulling me away from the reality of my responsibilities.

Morticia was the one thing, a stable force, in a world of chaos I knew.

And I would do whatever it took to protect her, to keep her by my side.