My Muted Alpha | ✔️

The stale air of the airplane cabin clung to me, a stark contrast to the scent of the Canadian wilderness I yearned for. Beside me, Coco, my best friend, was already lost to sleep, oblivious to my restless energy. We were finally flying home, back to the familiar embrace of our old pack.

My heart hammered with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Years I'd spent, crisscrossing continents, a perpetual wanderer on the mate-hunt. Each failed lead, each empty city, chipped away at the hope I clutched so fiercely. Now, returning to the place I'd left as a hopeful teenager, I felt the weight of every mateless year.

'Rain,' I mind-linked my wolf, a desperate plea echoing in my thoughts. 'What if we don't find him here?'

Her response was immediate, firm, and tinged with impatience. 'Rhea, there's no what ifs in my book. He'll be close. I can feel it. I've been restless recently.'

I sighed, leaning my head against the cool window. 'You always are,' I retorted, a faint smile touching my lips. Despite my skepticism, Rain's conviction was a small, steady flame in the growing chill of my doubt. I closed my eyes, picturing a future I still couldn't grasp, a voice I still couldn't hear. Let's hope for the best.