I stepped onto the balcony and let the cool morning air of Varkos hit my face. The city stretched below me, a mix of towering skyscrapers and older stone buildings that gave the city character. Streets buzzed with electric cars and cyclists, cafés spilling steam and aroma of fresh coffee onto the sidewalks. The river Veyran sliced through the city, crossed by sleek, arched bridges, their chrome railings glinting in the light. Even from up here, I could see the distant hills dotted with green parks and running trails, the city's heartbeat blending with the calm of nature.
It should've been calming. It should've been enough. But even amidst the bustle and beauty of Varkos, a small, restless part of me—my wolf—stirred quietly, reminding me that some things weren't so easily set aside
I turned away from the balcony and moved to my morning chores. Checking the pack security, reviewing patrol schedules, and inspecting the training routines—it all kept me grounded. Memories of my army days rose, too vivid to ignore: late nights running exercises under floodlights, tactical drills, comrades arguing strategy over coffee, and the rush of planning a perfect strike. Those were simpler times, in a way. But the emptiness beside me now… that was harder to manage.Bath done, I wrapped a towel around my waist and eyed the wardrobe. Clothes had never been my concern. If left to me, I'd still be in trainer pants and a loose t-shirt, maybe sneakers scuffed from training. But today wasn't casual. Today was the treaty—the alliance of four kingdoms—and I had to look the part: modern, sharp, commanding.
Comfort was secondary.
Before I could make a move, the door burst open.
"Seriously, Michelle? That's your choice?"
Clair leaned in, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised, smirking. "That suit? You're going to that meeting looking like you walked out of a tech startup, not a palace."
I groaned. "It's fine. I just need to look presentable—"
"Presentable?" she interrupted. "You need to look dashing, commanding, like someone who belongs in the headlines for more than being the good-looking soldier. Like MY BROTHER- A runway model's brother. Here." She rifled through my wardrobe, holding up a sharply tailored blazer. "Try this. And maybe swap those sneakers for something that doesn't scream 'casual gamer.'"
I raised an eyebrow. "You enjoy this too much."
"Of course. Someone has to make sure you don't embarrass the kingdom. And who knows, maybe your wolf finally drags you to your mate today.
I snorted. "Don't jinx it, Clair. Besides, you need to focus on your mate. You seem to have your hands full with… whatever is going on with Nathan."
Her eyes rolled. "Nathan and I? It's complicated. Unmated, on-again, off-again… the man has a dark past and a habit of showing up at the weirdest times. At least he shows up occasionally."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Thanks for the pep talk."
"You're welcome. Someone has to remind you that love doesn't magically appear while you polish pack routines and broil over schedules." She smirked. "Five years, Michelle. Your wolf's basically gnawing its own paw off."
I couldn't argue. My wolf was restless, yes, a quiet stir I could feel under the surface. Today, the weight of duty was heavy, but I had to focus.
Finally dressed in the blazer and polished shoes, I glanced in the mirror. Broad-shouldered, alert, modern, commanding—but inside, restless. Duty first. Always. But maybe destiny had other plans today.
Downstairs, Alpha Fred and General Marcus were waiting, the conference table laid out with digital maps and real-time intel feeds. I joined them, nodding
"Morning, Michelle," Fred said. "Ready for today?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, eyes scanning the holographic display.
Marcus tapped a chart. "Starters first. You know how these summits go—tests, small talk, measure reactions. One wrong move, and the alliance could fracture. We need to know who's trustworthy."
"And if someone doesn't play fair?" I asked.
Fred's gaze met mine, unwavering. "We adapt. We make them play by our rules. Varkos isn't weak."
I nodded, absorbing the strategy, but my thoughts drifted briefly, as always, to the quiet stir in my wolf—the reminder that some things, some connections, couldn't be ignored forever. Duty, desire, and destiny collided today—and I wasn't sure which would win.