The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 47

Ryan

I twirled in my office chair, thoughts centered on one thing and one thing only. Could Lyra really have killed Jacques to cover her tracks? But why would she when what he told me affects her more than anyone else? It just didn't add up. As I pondered the possibilities, a sudden mind-link from Conner interrupted my thoughts.

"Alpha, I'm okay, but I need to stay a few more days to investigate something I've learned." From the way he was talking, it was clear that he was on to something important.

No matter, I had discovered the truth already. There was no need to keep him in enemy lands.

"No, Conner. Come home. The Wolfsong prisoner we caught told me everything. We need to discuss this in person."

There was a brief pause before Conner replied, "Understood, Alpha. I'll leave tonight and be back as soon as I can."

I ended the mind-link and slumped into my chair, rubbing my temples. For the first time since becoming Alpha, I felt lost, unsure of what steps to take next. Every decision I made from here on out would have far-reaching consequences. I leaned back, closing my eyes and trying to clear my mind. I needed to think, to find a balance between what I knew and what I should reveal and to whom. But the more I tried to focus, the more my thoughts seemed to scatter like leaves in the wind. I knew I had to be strong, to find a way forward, but all I could do was sit there, massaging my forehead and hope for some sort of guidance or revelation to strike me. Being Alpha had never felt so overwhelming as it did in that moment.

I leaned back in my chair, my mind drifting to a memory of my father from when I was just a teenager. He had faced a tough decision, one that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

He sat behind his large oak desk, his brow furrowed as he held a crumpled note in his hand.

"Ryan," he said in his deep voice. "I just received word on who has our wolf." He handed me a note. "Read this."

I approached the desk, my curiosity piqued. I took the paper, my eyes scanning the hastily scrawled words. It was a demand from a rival pack, the Silver Tail. They had taken one of our own, a young pup half my age. They demanded the release of one of their prisoners in exchange.

I looked up at my father, his eyes searching mine for an answer. "What should we do, Dad?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "That's what I want you, as the future Alpha, to figure out."

"Me?"

"Me?" I asked, my eyes widening in surprise. I had never been asked to make such a weighty decision before. My father had always been the one to guide the pack, to make the tough calls. And now, he was asking me to step up and fill that role.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing as I tried to come up with a solution. "What if we agree to the exchange?" I suggested. "We could meet them at a neutral location, make the trade, and get our pup back safely."

My father shook his head. "No, that won't work. If we give in to their demands, it will only show weakness. They'll think they can push us around and take whatever they want. We need to show strength."

I nodded, realizing the truth in his words. I thought for a moment, then spoke again. "What about a surprise attack? We could go under the cover of darkness and catch them off guard, rescue our pup, and show them that we won't be pushed around."

A smile spread across my father's face. "Now that's more like it. A well-thought-out plan that shows strength and intelligence. I'm proud of you, son. You're thinking like a true Alpha."

I felt a surge of pride at his words. It was rare for my father to give such direct praise, and it meant the world to me.

"Thanks, Dad," I said, standing a little taller. "I'll start putting together a team for the mission. We'll get our pup back and show the Silver Tail's that the Moonshadow pack is not to be trifled with."

My father had taught me a valuable lesson that day. Sometimes, the best solution to a problem wasn't always the most obvious one. It required thinking outside the box, being willing to take risks, and most importantly, trusting in my gut.

In the end, I did what my father would have done. He was always for justice. For what was right. I stood up. I needed to find Lyra and talk to her. We had to figure this out together.

I was nearly to the door when Liam barged into my office, his brown creased and his mouth a grim line. "Ryan, I've made my decision. I'm going to break things off with Whitney."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised but in no way mad. All those years ago we rescued the kidnapped pup from them without loss of life. Surprised by our cunning, Whitney's father made a treaty with mine. I had hoped to strengthen that bond through Liam's union, but it seemed fate had other plans. I clasped Liam's shoulder, looking him in the eye.

"I understand, Liam. Your happiness is what matters most. We'll find another way to maintain our alliance with the Silver Tail pack."

Liam nodded, relief evident on his face. "Thank you, Ryan. I appreciate your support. I know it's a risk, but I can't keep living a lie. I'll go to the Silver Tail lands and smooth things over with the Alpha myself. I'll make sure our alliance remains intact."

I clapped him on the shoulder, proud of his courage. "I support your decision, Liam. You deserve to be happy, and if Whitney isn't the one for you, then this is the best choice for you."

I followed him out. With promises to be back before my birthday bash, Liam left me at the start of the path.

A light fog had overtaken the twilight, muffling most of the sound. I looked up at the sky, trying to see the moon when a mind-link from one of our patrols crossed my mind. "Alpha, Lyra is missing from the dorms. No one has seen her."

My heart raced as more reports flooded in from a different patrol. A student had spotted Lyra heading into the woods alone.

I quickly organized a search party, putting myself in the lead. Lyra had no right to just disappear without a word, especially with everything going on.