I stand in the center of the grand lodge, the heart of our pack's territory, surrounded by the elders and my beta. I scan the room, noting the stern expressions on their faces. The lunar symbols adorning the walls mock me, reminding me of the weight of my responsibilities.

"We haven't heard from Lyla in days," I say, my voice calm but an underlying intensity breaking through. "I'm concerned for her safety."

"You banished her, Ethan," one of the elders, a graying wolf with a deep scar across his cheek, reminds me. His tone is cold, unyielding. "Her fate is no longer our concern."

I clench my fists, frustration boiling within me. "She's still my mate."

"Yet she defied you," my beta, a young but capable wolf named Samuel, interjects. "And we can't afford to show leniency, not with the Slavers sniffing at our borders."

The mention of the Slavers sends a shiver down my spine. The Ironfang Slavers, the Chainmasters, who demand a tribute from us every year. A young wolf, sacrificed to ensure our temporary safety. It's a practice that has kept our pack alive, but at a steep cost.

It’s one of the traditions Lyla wanted to defy.

"I've heard rumors," another elder says, his voice a low growl. "Strange folks at the edge of our territory. Strange happenings. We fear the Slavers are getting hungry again."

“Maybe one of them took Lyla,” another elder says, and the hope in his voice disgusts me. “Maybe we’ll be able to skip a year of tribute.”

I slam my fist on the table. "Dammit, we can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"Ethan," Samuel says, putting a hand on my arm. "Calm yourself. We must stay vigilant, but we can't let our emotions cloud our judgment."

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. They're right. I know they're right. But it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

"We'll increase patrols," I say, my voice tight. "And keep an eye on the borders. But if I hear any more whispers of the Slavers, we take action."

The elders nod, and I turn on my heel, storming out of the lodge. Samuel keeps up with me, running to match my strides.

“What do you plan to do about Lyla?” he asks.

“I’m going to find her.”

“In the woods?”

She’s gone from my thoughts. I can’t sense her. But I know she’s out there, and I can’t shake her from my thoughts.

I didn’t know I loved her until I lost her.

We can work together. We can find a way to make changes and not destroy the traditions.

“I’ll go wherever I must.”

“Be careful,” Samuel warns. “If you leave our territory, others might see it as an act of war.”

I growl, baring my teeth in annoyance. “I didn’t become Alpha so I could live my life out within these boundaries.”

Samuel nods and steps aside. He knows when I’m done. “I understand.”

He stays there, and I feel his eyes on my back as I move away from the lodge.

If only I knew where I was going.

The crisp morning air cools my heated skin. I need to clear my head, but it's not enough. I can't shake the worry for Lyla. What if something happened to her? Because of my inability to swallow my pride?

"Ethan! Wait!"

I turn, my eyes narrowing as a younger she-wolf runs after me. It’s Ana, and she's barely out of her first change. Her auburn hair falls in loose waves around her face, and her innocent eyes are wide with determination.

"What is it, Ana?" I ask, my voice softer but still tinged with irritation.

She hesitates, her cheeks flushing. "I...I couldn't help but overhear. You seem troubled."

"That's an understatement," I mutter under my breath.

Ana takes a step closer, bowing her head, her body language submissive. "I...I know I'm not much help, but...I want to be there for you, Alpha. I can...comfort you."

The pheromones rolling off her hit me in a wave, and her meaning is clear. I take a step back, my hand raised in protest. "No, Ana. You're young, and not yet mated. It wouldn't be right."

"I don't care about that," she says, taking another step forward. "You’re my Alpha. I want to help you in any way I can." She steps closer, her girlish manner falling away as she rolls her shoulders back, thrusting her breasts toward me. “I’m more than capable.” Her finger comes out, tracing down my chest. “You’re not mated either.”

My wolf stirs within me, tempted by the thought of comfort and release, and suddenly I want her. "You don't have to do this."

"I want to," she insists. "It's my duty.” She looks at me beneath lowered lashes. “To serve you, to ease your burden. To . . . Please you."

I feel a pang of guilt, but also a surge of desire. Lyla never let me take her. She defied me at every turn. But Ana...she's offering herself to me willingly.

It’s been a long time.

"Are you sure?" I ask, my voice a low rumble. My wolf howls, eager to take what is offered.

Ana nods, her eyes downcast, but her lips pull up in a seductive smile. One hand comes down to lower the neckline of her shirt, revealing her breast with its pink nipple. "Yes, Alpha. Please. Let me help you."

I don't need any more convincing. I grab her arm and pull her into the trees, away from prying eyes. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of anger and frustration and desperation driving me.

The trees blur as I push Ana against one, her clothes tearing under my rough hands. Her usually composed face is now flushed with desire and her eyes are filled with longing.

I don't give her time to adjust or to think about what she's doing. My hands are rough and greedy, leaving trails of heat wherever they roam over Ana's body. Her skin is soft and smooth under my touch, her hair tickling my fingers as I pull her closer.

I rip her pants off and spread her legs with my hand, and then I take her, hard and fast, my body slamming into hers with a ferocity that surprises even me. My hands grip her hips with a fierce strength, leaving bruises in their wake as I press her urgently against the hard bark of the tree.

My body is on fire, my mind consumed with a primal need for release. Ana's soft moans and gasps only fuel my desire as I mark her skin with my teeth and nails.

But even in the midst of this frenzy, my mind can't help but wander to Lyla. The she-wolf who was promised to me, taunting me with her defiance and refusal to submit to me as her Alpha.

I push those thoughts away, focusing solely on Ana beneath me. It's wrong, I know it is. She's barely an adult, and I'm taking advantage of her eagerness to serve me. But at the same time, I can't deny that a part of me craves this release, this feeling of power and control.

The musky scent of our sweat and arousal mixed together fills my nostrils, along with the crisp scent of pine from the surrounding trees. Ana gasps. My skin tingles under the pressure of her nails digging into my shoulders, leaving small crescent marks. Her body is hot against mine, her curves fitting against my own hard muscles.

She moans, urging me on and driving me closer to the edge, her body arching into mine, and I feel a surge of satisfaction. This is what I need. What I want.

I push harder, my movements becoming rougher, and Ana matches my intensity. Her nails continue to scrape against my skin, leaving a trail of stinging sensations in their wake. But I barely register the pain as I lose myself in the heat of the moment.

My mind is foggy with desire and anger, my wolf rising inside me as he takes control. The primal part of me revels in this dominance over Ana, taking what I want without any resistance.

Deep down, a part of me feels guilty. Guilty for using her like this, taking advantage of her loyalty and willingness to please me. But those are thoughts for another time. I push them away, focusing on the physical pleasure instead.

Ana's moans grow louder as she nears her own release, urging me on with her gasps and whimpers. And when she finally falls over the edge, her body trembling against mine, it's enough to tip me over into my own peak.

With one final thrust, I find release in Ana's body and collapse against her. Sweat beads on our skin as we catch our breaths and come back to reality.

But even as we both stand there panting and exhausted from our passionate encounter, I can't shake off the feeling of guilt that lingers in the back of my mind. I pull back and look at Ana's flushed face. She looks dazed, almost euphoric.

"Thank you," she whispers, stroking my cheek with a gentle hand.

I nod, my throat tight. I step back, adjusting my clothing. "You did well, Ana," I say. "Go back to the lodge. Rest." I step away from her.

"Alpha," she says hesitantly.

I turn to face her. She takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I really enjoyed that. And . . . I’m available any time. Any hour.” She bites her lower lip, looking both sexy and adorable. “I believe in our traditions. And I submit to you.”

“Thank you,” I say, because what else do you say when a woman says that? “I enjoyed it also.” And now that I know I can have her . . . I probably will.

“Do you think . . . We could formalize our arrangement?”

Her question instantly makes me wary. She offered me a meal, but now she’s showing me the strings attached. “Let's just focus on rebuilding our pack and keeping everyone safe."

She nods, understanding but also disappointed. I can see the desire in her eyes as she looks at me.

"Of course, Alpha," she says with a small smile.

I watch her go. And then I turn and head deeper into the trees, my thoughts heavy with guilt and introspection.

Maybe Lyla was right. Maybe our ways do need to change.

But how do I change them, when I don't even know where to start?