After spending a few peaceful days in Riverside with Margaret and Michael, Anya and Alaric finally returned to Central City. The drive back felt quieter than the journey there. The late afternoon sunlight stretched across the highway while soft music played in the background, and although Anya tried to stay awake, exhaustion slowly caught up with her.
By the time they reached the Stone house, Anya was already moving slower than usual.
After washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, she practically collapsed onto her bed the moment she entered her room. The mattress sank softly beneath her as she buried her face into the pillow, letting out a long sigh.
She heard a soft knock not long after. Before she could even answer properly, the door opened slightly and Alaric stepped inside.
The sight in front of him immediately made him smile.
Anya was sprawled lazily across the bed, half wrapped in the blanket, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. She looked comfortable, sleepy, and completely unguarded.
"You look like you're about to pass out," Alaric said softly as he closed the door behind him.
Anya turned her head slightly toward him, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I might."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Without hesitation, he walked toward the bed, lifted the edge of the blanket, and slipped beside her. The mattress dipped under his weight as he moved closer until his chest rested against her back. One arm slid naturally around her waist, pulling her gently against him.
Warmth immediately surrounded her.
"It's only noon," Alaric murmured near her ear, amusement lingering in his voice. "And you're already knocking out."
Anya relaxed further into his embrace, letting herself sink comfortably against him. "I just want to lie down for a while," she mumbled softly. "The drive back was long."
She paused briefly before continuing in a quieter voice. "And I kept talking to Mum until really late every night."
Alaric's hand rubbed slowly against her waist beneath the blanket, comforting and unhurried.
"I need to rest before work starts again tomorrow," she added sleepily.
He lowered his face slightly, his nose brushing lightly against her hair as he inhaled her familiar scent. Even after spending days together in Riverside, being close to her still affected him deeply in ways he struggled to fully control.
"I wish I had more time alone with you," he admitted quietly.
Anya smiled faintly at his words before turning slightly within his arms so she could look at him properly.
"Wouldn't you get sick of me eventually?" she asked softly.
The question made his expression change immediately.
Alaric's hand moved gently to her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across her skin as he looked directly into her eyes.
"Don't underestimate the bond between soulmates," he said quietly. "What I feel for you isn't something that fades from spending too much time together."
His voice carried such certainty that Anya's chest warmed instantly.
She looked at him quietly for a moment before speaking again. "I asked Mum more about our family."
Alaric listened attentively.
"She told me my grandfather was a werewolf," Anya continued softly. "And… Michael is her soulmate."
Alaric nodded slightly. "I figured."
"She also told me Michael marked her," Anya added, her curiosity slowly returning. "And she mentioned something about claiming."
Alaric's gaze softened slightly at the topic.
"So…" Anya hesitated briefly before asking, "what exactly does it mean?"
There was a brief silence before Alaric answered carefully.
"When a werewolf marks their soulmate," he explained quietly, "the bond becomes permanent. It deepens the connection between them emotionally, physically, and instinctively."
His fingers traced slowly along her waist as he spoke, grounding both himself and her.
"For wolves," he continued, "it's not just symbolic. It's a lifelong bond."
Anya listened carefully.
"And if someone rejects the bond after it's formed?" she asked softly.
Alaric's expression darkened slightly.
"It causes permanent pain to the rejected wolf," he admitted honestly. "Not physical pain alone. It affects the wolf mentally too. Some never fully recover from it."
Anya fell quiet after hearing that.
Then slowly, almost shyly, she looked back at him.
"Would you mark me one day?" she asked softly. "And claim me as yours?"
The question settled heavily between them.
Alaric stared at her for several seconds, his expression unreadable at first before something deeply emotional softened his gaze.
"I've been thinking about that almost my entire life," he admitted quietly. The honesty in his voice made her heartbeat quicken.
"But," he continued gently, "it's not a decision to rush."
His hand moved upward, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear carefully.
"You deserve to understand everything first," he said. "Not just the romantic side of it. You need to know what being bonded truly means, the changes and the responsibilities that come with it."
Anya nodded slowly.
"I don't want you making that decision without fully understanding our world," he added softly.
Then his expression shifted slightly as another thought crossed his mind.
"I'll arrange for Serena to talk to you sometime," he said.
Anya blinked immediately. "Serena?"
Alaric smiled faintly at her confusion.
"You'll understand why after speaking with her," he replied calmly.
Anya narrowed her eyes slightly in curiosity, but before she could ask further, Alaric leaned closer. His forehead rested lightly against hers while his arm tightened gently around her waist beneath the blanket.
"You ask a lot of dangerous questions when we're lying like this together," he murmured softly.
Anya's cheeks warmed instantly. "I'm serious."
"So am I," he replied quietly.
His gaze lowered briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes again. The tension between them softened into something warmer and quieter.
Slowly, Alaric leaned forward and kissed her gently.
The kiss was slow and lingering. His hand slid carefully along her back while Anya instinctively moved closer against him, her fingers curling lightly into his shirt.
When the kiss deepened slightly, Anya could feel the warmth beneath his control, the effort he constantly maintained whenever he held her close. And somehow, realizing that only made her heart ache for him more.
When they finally parted, Alaric rested his forehead against hers again, his breathing slower now.
"Get some rest," he murmured softly.
Anya smiled faintly, still wrapped securely in his arms.
"Only if you stay here."
Alaric's lips curved gently.
"That was already my plan."
*****
One afternoon, Anya arrived at the pack villa with Alaric. The villa was quieter than usual, with only a few pack members moving around the large space. The atmosphere still carried the same restrained discipline she had noticed during her earlier visits, but this time she felt less like an outsider observing from afar.
Still, the moment she saw Serena standing near the living area, Anya felt that same familiar chill from their previous encounters.
Serena was beautiful in a sharp and composed way. Her long dark hair framed a face that rarely revealed much emotion, and her calm eyes always seemed to carry a certain distance. Even now, as she acknowledged Anya's arrival, there was politeness in her expression but not warmth.
Alaric noticed the slight tension immediately.
"I'll be in the meeting room," he said quietly to Anya before leaning closer briefly. His fingers brushed lightly against hers in reassurance. "Take your time."
Anya nodded softly.
After Alaric left, Serena gestured toward the seating area. "Come sit."
Her tone was calm and professional.
Anya followed her toward the couch while Serena moved toward the kitchen counter to prepare drinks. The silence between them was not exactly uncomfortable, but it carried a certain weight.
When Serena returned, she handed Anya a warm cup before sitting across from her. For a moment, she simply looked at Anya quietly, as if deciding where to begin. Then she spoke directly.
"Alaric asked me to share certain things with you regarding soulmate bonds."
Anya straightened slightly, immediately attentive.
Serena's expression remained composed, though her gaze lowered briefly toward the cup in her hands before she continued.
"When I turned eighteen," she said calmly, "my mate found me."
Anya listened quietly.
"He was in his late fifties."
The words stunned her.
Serena gave a faint smile, though there was no happiness in it.
"In my entire life," she continued quietly, "I imagined being loved by someone close to my age. Someone I could grow together with. Someone I could choose willingly."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
"But the bond chose differently."
Anya's chest tightened as she listened.
"I wanted to reject the bond," Serena admitted honestly. "I was devastated when I learned who my mate was."
Her voice remained controlled, but beneath it Anya could hear the old pain buried there.
"But I never got the choice."
The room fell silent for a brief moment.
Serena lifted her gaze toward Anya again, steady and unflinching.
"I was forced to be claimed."
Anya's breath caught immediately.
For the first time since meeting Serena, she saw something behind the woman's cold composure. Not weakness, but scars.
"In stories," Serena said quietly, "soulmate bonds are always described as romantic, beautiful and destined."
A bitter softness crossed her expression briefly.
"But reality isn't always kind."
Her voice remained calm as she continued, though the details made Anya's stomach tighten.
"He never loved me. Not truly. I existed to satisfy his needs. I was controlled, isolated, and hurt whenever I resisted him."
Anya felt her chest ache hearing it.
Serena looked away briefly toward the window before continuing.
"It lasted until Marcus and Evelyn found me."
There was deep respect in her voice when mentioning them.
"My mate eventually took his own life," she said quietly. "And the moment he died, the bond broke."
She paused.
"By theory, I should have felt unbearable pain from losing him."
Her gaze slowly returned to Anya.
"But all I felt was relief."
The honesty of those words settled heavily in the room. Anya sat quietly, her hands tightening slightly around the warm cup she held. Serena leaned back slightly afterward, her expression returning to its usual composed state.
"As a mixed blood and someone raised outside the werewolf world," Serena continued calmly, "you may think soulmate bonding is something beautiful."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"And sometimes it is."
The mention of Alaric lingered unspoken between them.
"But I also need you to understand the darker side of it," Serena said firmly. "We don't choose our mates. The bond stays with us permanently whether we accept it or not."
Anya listened carefully.
"If the bond is healthy, it becomes strength," Serena explained. "If it's not, it becomes a prison."
The weight behind her words was impossible to ignore.
Then Serena's tone shifted slightly, becoming more practical.
"You also need to understand what it means to be connected to Alaric specifically."
Anya's expression softened slightly at his name.
"Alaric is not an ordinary wolf," Serena said plainly. "And he will not become an ordinary Alpha."
There was absolute certainty in her voice.
"He's already stronger than most wolves his age. Many believe he will eventually surpass Marcus."
Anya's heartbeat slowed slightly as the reality settled deeper.
"And because of that," Serena continued, "you will become a target."
The words were calm but direct.
"Any enemy who wants power over the Stone Pack will eventually see you as a weakness they can exploit."
Anya lowered her gaze briefly.
"That's why you need to learn how to protect yourself," Serena said. "Physically and mentally."
The room grew quiet afterward.
For several seconds, Anya simply looked at Serena, seeing her differently now. The coldness she had sensed before no longer felt like arrogance.
It felt like armor.
Slowly, Anya placed her cup down before speaking softly.
"Thank you," she said sincerely.
Serena looked slightly surprised.
Anya's eyes softened. "Thank you for telling me something so painful."
Her voice carried quiet admiration.
"You survived something terrible," she continued gently. "And you're still standing. I really admire your strength."
For the first time since they met, Serena's composed expression faltered slightly.
Then Anya leaned forward and wrapped her arms gently around her. The hug clearly caught Serena off guard. Her body stiffened instinctively at first, almost unfamiliar with such simple affection.
But after a brief hesitation, she slowly relaxed. Anya pulled back slightly and smiled softly at her.
Serena looked at her quietly for a moment before speaking again, her voice calmer now.
"I'm the future Gamma of the Stone Pack," she said. "Naturally, it's my duty to tell you these things."
But there was less distance in her tone this time. She studied Anya carefully before adding more quietly, "You're fortunate."
Anya blinked slightly.
"Alaric respects you," Serena said honestly. "He gives you time. He listens to your choices. He's thoughtful with you."
Her gaze lowered briefly.
"Not every mate behaves that way."
There was no bitterness in her voice now, only truth.
"You should understand how rare that is," Serena continued softly. "Most wolves become consumed by instinct once they find their mate. Especially powerful ones."
Anya's chest warmed quietly hearing those words.
Serena looked toward the meeting room briefly before speaking one final time.
"He's already restraining himself more than you realize."
Anya's heartbeat quickened slightly.
"And despite everything," Serena added calmly, "he still waits for you to decide freely."
A faint smile finally appeared on Serena's lips, subtle but genuine.
"That alone tells you how much he truly loves you."
The atmosphere between Anya and Serena felt noticeably different after their conversation. The cold distance that had existed between them since their first meeting had softened, replaced by a quieter understanding neither of them expected. Serena no longer looked at Anya with guarded detachment, and Anya no longer felt intimidated sitting beside her.
Anya glanced toward Serena carefully before speaking again. "You've been beside the Stone family for a while, haven't you?"
Serena nodded slightly. "Marcus and Evelyn took me in after everything happened. It has been 3 years"
There was deep respect in her voice when she spoke of them.
"They gave me a place to recover," she continued quietly. "And eventually, they gave me a purpose again."
Anya listened attentively.
"At first," Serena admitted with a faint smile, "I didn't trust anyone. Especially wolves."
"That's understandable," Anya said softly.
Serena looked at her for a moment before letting out a quiet breath. "You're softer than I expected."
The comment caught Anya slightly off guard.
"I thought you'd be more frightened after learning about our world," Serena admitted honestly.
Anya smiled faintly. "I think I was, at first."
"And now?"
Anya lowered her gaze briefly before answering. "Now… I just want to understand it properly."
There was sincerity in her voice that made Serena's expression soften slightly again.
"You really do suit him," Serena said quietly.
Anya blinked. "Alaric?"
Serena nodded once. "He's strong, but sometimes he carries too much alone." Her gaze drifted briefly toward the meeting room. "You calm him."
The words made warmth spread quietly through Anya's chest.
After a while, Serena stood up and collected the empty cups from the table. This time, when Anya offered to help her bring them to the kitchen, Serena did not refuse.
The small domestic interaction felt surprisingly natural.
As they stood side by side rinsing cups and placing them away, Serena suddenly spoke again, her tone calmer than before.
"If you ever want training beyond what Alaric teaches you, I can help."
Anya looked at her in surprise. "Really?"
"You'll need more than physical strength," Serena replied. "Awareness. Discipline. Control under pressure."
Then, after a brief pause, she added more quietly, "And I think you're capable of learning."
The words sounded simple, but Anya understood they carried acceptance behind them.
A small smile appeared on her face. "Thank you."
Serena gave a faint nod in return.
Not long afterward, the meeting room door opened and Alaric stepped out. The moment his eyes found Anya, the tension that naturally sat around him eased almost immediately.
He walked toward them calmly. "Finished?"
Serena crossed her arms lightly. "I completed my task."
Alaric's gaze shifted toward Anya, silently checking her reaction.
Anya smiled softly at him. "We talked a lot."
Something in her expression clearly reassured him because his shoulders relaxed slightly.
Serena noticed the subtle interaction between them and shook her head faintly in amusement.
"You two are exhausting," she muttered dryly.
Anya laughed softly for the first time around her.
Serena picked up her jacket afterward and headed toward the entrance. Before leaving, she paused briefly beside Alaric.
"She knows what she needs to know," Serena said calmly. "And she listened well."
Alaric gave a small nod. "Thank you."
Serena glanced once more toward Anya before adding quietly, "Try not to overprotect her too much. She's stronger than you think."
Then she left the villa.
Silence settled briefly afterward.
The moment the front door closed, Alaric's attention returned fully to Anya. He walked toward her slowly until he stood directly in front of her.
"So," he asked softly, "how bad was it?"
Anya looked up at him before smiling faintly. "She scared me a little."
Alaric sighed quietly. "That sounds like Serena."
"But…" Anya stepped slightly closer to him, her voice gentler now, "I understand things better now too."
His expression softened immediately.
Anya reached for his hand slowly, intertwining her fingers with his. "You really waited for me all this time, didn't you?"
Alaric looked at her quietly for a moment before answering honestly.
"There was never anyone else."
The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten warmly.
Before she could respond, Alaric lifted her joined hand and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles, his gaze never leaving hers.
"You've been thinking too much today," he murmured gently.
"That's because your world is complicated," she replied softly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips. "And yet you're still here."
Anya stepped closer until barely any distance remained between them. "I told your parents already," she whispered. "I'm staying with you."
Something deep and emotional flickered across his face again at hearing those words.
Without another word, Alaric wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her gently against him. Anya rested naturally against his chest while his hand moved slowly along her back in a soothing motion.
Then Alaric lowered his head slightly, brushing his lips softly against her forehead before trailing down to her temple and finally the corner of her lips.
"Do you know how hard it is for me to stay patient with you?" he murmured near her skin.
Anya's cheeks warmed instantly. "Serena already told me you have good self-control."
Alaric let out a low laugh against her hair. "That woman talks too much."
Anya smiled against his chest.
His hand slid gently beneath her chin then, tilting her face upward before he kissed her slowly and affectionately. Though she could still feel the restrained intensity beneath it.
Anya's hands rose naturally to his chest, lightly gripping his shirt as she kissed him back.
When they finally parted, Alaric rested his forehead against hers again, his thumb brushing softly along her cheek.
"You smell like me now," he said quietly.
Anya blinked in confusion. "What?"
His lips curved slightly. "The pack will notice."
Her face immediately turned red.
"Alaric."
He laughed softly, clearly enjoying her reaction before pulling her back into his arms again, holding her close as though he never wanted to let go.