Paul's pov
I watched her leave.
Pecan's figure disappeared through the doorway, and with her went any semblance of peace I had left. My wolf stirred inside me, restless and growling, urging me to go after her, to follow her scent and make sure she was okay. She's your mate, it snarled. Your responsibility.
But I couldn't.
Pate sat across from me, her laughter still ringing in my ears from a joke I barely registered. She was beautiful, my wife, with her hair swept back in an elegant knot and her eyes sparkling in the warm glow of the firelight. She'd been with me through everything; years of battles, pack politics, and now this event that was supposed to be a celebration. But as I looked at her, I felt nothing but guilt.
"Paul?"
Her voice pulled me back to the present. Pate tilted her head, her brows furrowed in concern. "You seem distracted."
"I'm fine," I said quickly, plastering on a smile. A poor lie.
She gave me a look, one of those knowing ones that only a wife could manage. "You've barely said two words all night," she pressed. "What's going on?"
I opened my mouth, fumbling for an excuse, but nothing came. I couldn't tell her the truth, that my wolf was clawing at me to chase another woman, to claim what was mine by fate but forbidden by every rule I held myself to.
"It's just the pack business," I muttered finally, running a hand through my hair. "You know how it is."
She didn't look convinced. Before she could dig further, the doors to the room burst open, and a young female wolf rushed in, panting and wide-eyed.
"They're fighting!" she exclaimed, drawing the attention of everyone present. "Pecan and Stella are fighting in the hallway!"
The room buzzed with whispers and gasps, but my heart stopped.
Pecan.
I was on my feet before I could think, the sound of her name sparking a surge of adrenaline that drowned out everything else.
"Paul, where are you..." Pate's voice trailed off as I moved past her, my steps quick and purposeful. I ignored the curious stares and murmurs behind me, the polite façade I'd been holding onto crumbling with every step.
By the time I reached the hallway, a small crowd had already gathered. Wolves craned their necks, murmuring in shock and amusement as the two women tore into each other. Pecan's auburn hair was wild, her eyes blazing with fury as she squared off against Stella, whose sharp nails swiped dangerously close to Pecan's face.
"Enough!" I barked, my Alpha tone cutting through the chaos like a whip.
They didn't stop.
I surged forward, grabbing Pecan by the arm while Noah stepped in to restrain Stella. My hand closed around Pecan's wrist, and the moment our skin touched, a spark shot through me like lightning. My wolf roared, a primal, possessive sound that echoed in my mind, demanding I hold on, that I pull her closer and never let go.
Her scent hit me next; sweet, warm, intoxicating, and for a brief second, I forgot everything. Forgot the crowd, forgot Stella, forgot even myself. There was only her, my mate, standing so close I could feel the heat of her body.
"Alpha Paul!" Pecan hissed, her voice laced with anger and something else, something that made my chest tighten.
I shook myself, shoving the feelings aside. I couldn't afford to lose control, not here, not now. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice low and harsh.
She glared at me, defiant even as I held her back. "She started it," she snapped, her breath coming in short, furious gasps.
Stella, still struggling against Noah's grip, spat out a venomous laugh. "You're delusional, Pecan. Always playing the victim, aren't you?"
"That's enough!" Noah's voice rang out, silencing Stella. He shot me a glance, his expression tight with irritation. "I'll handle Stella. Get her out of here before this turns into a full-blown spectacle."
Reluctantly, I released Pecan's arm, stepping back as Noah took control of the situation. My hand tingled where I'd touched her, and my wolf howled in protest at the separation.
"You shouldn't have done this," I said quietly, my voice meant only for her.
Pecan's eyes flashed, her defiance dimming for just a moment. "Maybe not," she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face. "But I wasn't going to let her walk all over me."
I didn't reply. I couldn't. Every word felt like it would betray the storm raging inside me.
Without another glance, I turned and walked away, leaving Noah to deal with the aftermath. My footsteps echoed in the hallway, but the pounding in my chest drowned out the sound.
I felt conflicted; no, worse than conflicted. Torn. How could I care so deeply for someone who wasn't supposed to be mine? How could I feel this pull toward Pecan, this raw, undeniable connection, while my wife waited for me in the other room?
The frustration boiled over, and I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus. This wasn't who I was. I was an Alpha, a leader, a husband. I couldn't let my wolf's instincts dictate my actions.
But as I reached the far end of the hallway, away from the noise and the chaos, I leaned against the wall and let out a heavy breath.
Pecan was my mate. My wolf wouldn't let me forget it, no matter how hard I tried to suppress the truth. And as much as I wanted to deny it, part of me didn't want to.
How come? I thought I wouldn't find my destined mate and moved on, now ..it's my son's best friend?
That part of me, the part that belonged to her, was growing louder every day.
I slammed my fist into the wall, frustration mounting. What the hell was I supposed to do with this? My wolf's demands were constant, a weight on my chest I couldn't escape. I had a wife, a pack to lead, responsibilities that kept me tethered to this life. But every time I saw Pecan, every time she spoke, even when she wasn't trying, it was like the world faded away, leaving just the two of us.
How could I explain this to Pate? How could I look her in the eye and tell her that my heart, my very soul, was bound to another woman?
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to center myself. This wasn't something I could fix tonight. I had to focus on the pack, on my duties. But as I opened my eyes, I saw Pecan's face once more. Her anger. Her pride. And something else, something more vulnerable that she'd let slip for just a moment.
My pulse quickened, and I knew, without a doubt, that this wasn't over.