Ryan was happy. Happier than he had been in years. The last few days with Mia had been pure bliss, moments filled with laughter, late-night conversations, and the kind of warmth he thought he would never experience outside his pack. He had planned everything carefully, timing each little gesture so that it would lead to today—today was the day he wanted to confess his feelings to her.
He had imagined it a hundred times in his head: they would go for a walk after breakfast, maybe near the quiet streets of Spain where the air smelled of fresh bread and the sea. He would take her hand gently, look into her warm eyes, and finally say the words that had been burning in his heart: Mia, I love you. You are my mate, even if you don't know it yet.
But before he could even take the first step toward making that dream real, his phone vibrated sharply on the table beside him. At first, he thought of ignoring it—nothing could be more important than this moment with her—but the flashing red signal on the screen made his blood run cold. Only his pack used that line. Only emergencies were sent through that channel.
He swiped the notification open.
"Ryan, come home. The pack is under attack."
The words blurred before his eyes. For a second, he froze, unable to breathe. His mind screamed at him—no, this can't be happening now, not when I'm so close to telling Mia everything.
His chest tightened. He had let his guard down. He had allowed his heart to wander too far into the human world, so far that he had forgotten his first responsibility. How could I be so careless? he thought, rage bubbling inside him. He was the Alpha, sworn protector of his people, yet here he was, in Spain, sipping coffee with the woman who unknowingly held his soul, while his family bled back home.
Ryan clenched his jaw, his wolf inside him restless and angry. "I'm a bad Alpha," he muttered under his breath.
Without wasting another second, he grabbed his jacket and shoved his belongings into his bag. His movements were sharp, hurried, almost desperate. He could already feel the pull of the pack bond, the pain of his people reaching him even across the distance. He had to go. Now.
Just as he slung the bag over his shoulder, the door opened. Mia stood there, smiling faintly, unaware of the storm raging inside him.
"Ryan? What's wrong? Why are you packing?" she asked, her voice light, curious.
He looked at her, his heart aching. How could he explain? How could he tell her the truth—that his people were wolves, that his blood was tied to the forest, that his very identity was something she couldn't yet imagine? He couldn't. Not now.
"Mia, pack up. We're leaving in an hour," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Her smile faltered. "Leaving? But… that wasn't the plan. I was just beginning to enjoy Spain." Her voice was soft, almost disappointed, and Ryan felt a stab of guilt.
"Something came up," he said shortly, avoiding her eyes. "Be quick."
He couldn't bear to see the hurt on her face, so he turned away. Duty demanded his silence, and for the first time, that silence felt heavier than chains.
They packed in silence, the air thick with unspoken words. Mia didn't press him, though her heart weighed with questions. She wanted to ask why he was suddenly so distant, why the warmth in his voice from the night before had vanished into cold commands. But she didn't. Instead, she nodded quietly, forcing a smile even as her chest tightened with unease.
At the airport, Ryan's Beta was already waiting. The man bowed respectfully, his expression grim. Ryan knew there was no time for long goodbyes. He walked Mia to the counter, his hand lingering on her suitcase for a moment, as if he wanted to say something more. But the words never came. Instead, he left her with a brief nod and turned away, boarding his private jet.
Mia stood frozen, staring after him. She had expected at least a hug, maybe reassurance, maybe a promise that everything would be okay. But he had given her nothing—just distance. She swallowed the lump in her throat and boarded her own plane, confusion twisting into sadness.
Ryan's heart thundered as the jet soared through the clouds. Rage simmered inside him—not at Mia, not even at his father who never approved of his choices, but at the rogues who dared attack his pack at the very moment he had been closest to happiness. If I catch them, they'll pay. They've taken this moment from me. They've stolen my chance to tell her.
When he arrived, the devastation was immediate. The pack's grounds were littered with bodies, the metallic scent of blood heavy in the air. Wolves lay injured, some lifeless, and Ryan's chest heaved with fury. His wolf clawed for release, and without hesitation, he shifted.
The world exploded into sharper senses. His claws dug into the soil, his fangs bared as he ripped into the first rogue he found. One after another, he tore through them, his fury unmatched. The forest echoed with snarls, whimpers, and the crack of bones. Soon, the last rogue fell lifeless, and Ryan stood over the battlefield, blood dripping from his muzzle, chest heaving.
He shifted back, his body covered in sweat, his heart pounding. His warriors surrounded him, bowing in respect.
"How did this happen? I thought the border was secure," Ryan demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"Alpha," the chief warrior said, bowing his head, "we don't know. The barrier broke last night, and they attacked before we could reinforce it."
Before Ryan could respond, a familiar voice pierced the air.
"My son!" His mother rushed to him, relief flooding her eyes as she threw her arms around him. "You're safe."
But behind her came the cold, harsh voice of his father. "Safe? He was probably with his human mate while his pack bled."
Ryan's body stiffened. His father's words cut deep, but he refused to look away. "Dad, I didn't know this would happen. And besides, I'm here now."
His father's eyes narrowed, fury blazing. "I won't tolerate this nonsense. You are Alpha. You're supposed to be here, not running around in the human world pretending to be one of them!"
Ryan's wolf growled inside him, but he kept his voice steady. "Father, I know it was my fault. But no more words concerning my life outside this pack."
His father's face twisted with rage. "Oh, so now you want to disrespect me? Fine. Do as you please. But remember, an Alpha who abandons his people will never be worthy of his title." With that, the old man turned sharply and left.
Ryan's mother touched his arm gently. "Don't mind him. He's just upset. He'll come around."
But Ryan wasn't so sure. He could feel the judgment of the pack weighing on him, whispers of disapproval about his human mate spreading through the wolves. Half supported him, but the other half thought him weak.
Later, his cousin found him. "The rogues are planning something big. They almost got to the clinic this time. I think you should stay home for now."
Ryan's jaw clenched. "Then I'll hunt them. Track them down myself."
His cousin gave a small smile. "That's good. But… how's your mate?"
Ryan's chest tightened at the mention of Mia. He wanted to say she's perfect, she's mine, I want to spend my life with her. But instead, he muttered, "She's fine," and walked away, his mind consumed with anger and worry.
Alone in his room, Ryan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His heart ached for Mia, but his responsibilities chained him here. He didn't know how much longer he could balance the two worlds before one broke him completely.
...
Mia, meanwhile, sat on her plane seat with tears threatening to fall. She had thought she and Ryan were close. She had felt alive with him, cherished even. But today, without warning, he had pushed her away. She didn't understand.
Her phone buzzed as she landed back in California. "Hey, baby! How was your honeymoon with your boyfriend?" her friend Rachel teased.
Mia forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow. "I'm already back. He… canceled the trip and left me behind."
Rachel gasped. "What? That's harsh! Maybe something came up. Cheer up, girl."
"It's fine," Mia whispered, though her heart told her otherwise.
After the call, she booked a cab and went home. She expected Ryan to call, maybe explain, maybe apologize. When her phone finally rang, hope flickered in her chest.
"Mia, have you reached?" Ryan's voice asked.
"Yes," she said quietly, waiting for him to ask if she was okay, if she missed him.
But instead, his words were cold. "Okay. I won't be around for a few days. Manage the company alone." Then he hung up.
The silence crushed her. She stared at the phone in disbelief. How could he be so sweet one moment and so heartless the next? Tears welled in her eyes. "Why does it hurt so much?" she whispered, clutching her chest.
She cooked dinner in silence, barely tasting the food. Every bite reminded her of the laughter they had shared in Spain, the warmth of his arms, the softness of his smile. Was it all a lie? Did he never really care?
When she finally lay in bed, sleep claimed her through tears, her heart heavy with confusion and pain.
...
Ryan sat in the forest, his wolf restless, his mind filled with Mia's voice from their last call. He had heard the heartbreak in her tone, and it gutted him. He hadn't meant to hurt her. He hadn't meant to sound cold. But he couldn't let her distract him now. He couldn't let love blind him while his people bled.
Still, the thought of her smile, the way she leaned into him when she was tired, the way her laughter warmed his soul—it haunted him.
Under the moonlight, Ryan lowered his head, his wolf howling in grief. Torn between two worlds, two responsibilities, and one love that made him weak, he felt like a lost puppy, alone in the vast forest.