Lyall
I knew what I did was wrong. The guilt had been eating me alive from the inside. I should not have laid hands on my wife no matter the circumstance but now I did it and I couldn't take it back.
Even if the primal instinct to defend my mate was overwhelming— I shouldn't have given in. I should have resisted it, after all, I am the Alpha of all Alphas. I let out a sigh. What kind of Alpha did that make me? One that hits women? I should be protecting them instead.

My lip curled in disgust as I hurled a jar next to my bedside across the room. I couldn't get the look on their faces out of my head. The look of sheer pain and agony on Sheila's, terror on Aria's, and the look of complete disappointment on Kendrick's face.
I didn't know if I could face any of them again. I had done something unforgivable. I betrayed Sheila— my best friend for years. The woman I owed everything to, even my life. I let out another growl and picked up a table, hurling it across the room.
My meltdown was rudely interrupted by several knocks on the door.
“Alpha! Are you in there? Open the door!”
I let out a sigh. Of course, Trenton, my beta would find me here. What could a man do to find some peace and quiet around here?
“Alpha! I know you're in there. Open the door or I'll break it down!”

I let out an exasperated groan. No one else but Trenton and Aria knew about my secret cabin. It was my place of solace and it was a place I would go to when I needed to breathe or clear my head.
“Alpha!”
“Fine! I'm coming.” I growled. Trenton was capable of breaking down the door if I didn't respond in time. I unlocked the door and stood at the doorway, not giving him access to the cabin. He raised an eyebrow at my messy state. My hair was heavily tousled and my hands bled from shattering a mirror minutes ago. But it was beginning to heal.
“You look like a mess.” He smirked and I scoffed.

“You don't look any better yourself,” I surveyed his ruffled dark hair and clothes. “What happened to you?”
“Oh, you know. Just palace business. The usual.” He replied. Trenton forcefully pushed past me into the cabin and I rolled my eyes.
“What do you want, Trenton?” I asked, annoyed.
He whistled, surveying the damage I had done to the beautiful cabin.
“You've certainly been busy.” He said in a light tone.
“Why are you here? Can't you see that I want to be left alone?”
“You've been brooding for hours, Alpha. It's time for you to come back to the palace.”
“I think the palace can do without its Alpha for one night.”
“But—”
“Just let me be, alright? I'll be back tomorrow but for tonight, just leave me alone.”
“Fine,” His blue eyes softened. “I heard about what happened. Are you going to be okay?”
I surveyed the damage around me and shrugged. Maybe. Maybe not.
“I'll leave you alone for tonight but are you sure you don't want anyone else finding you?” He asked, raking his fingers through his messy hair.
“I'm sure.”
“Not even your mistress?”
I shot him an icy glare. She wasn't just my mistress. She was my mate and soon, I was going to let the world know.
“Not even Aria.”
He nodded, giving me one last look before he headed to the door. “Maybe go for a run, Alpha. The moon goddess knows you need it.” He said and disappeared into the night. I sighed, glancing at the shattered mirror. Maybe I did need a run.
I stepped out of the cabin, feeling the cold tinge of air on my skin. This was truly a good night for a quick run. I quickly dashed off into the woods transforming in the process. The transformation was swift but years of transforming into a wolf did not make it less painful.
Once I assumed my wolf form, my senses became heightened. My sight was clearer, my hearing was a lot better than in human form and my sense of smell was superior.
I picked up speed and my paws prodded the ground continuously. I could hear every sound in the woods. The birds and insects chirping, the ruffle of leaves and the trees, the wind howling.
I came to a halt in the middle of the forest, surveying my surroundings. It was time to hunt. I was Alpha in both the palace and in the forest and what was a run without good old hunting? My ears perked up at a sound in the bushes— the snapping of a tree branch. Something was here.
I stealthily retreated behind a tree, waiting for my prey. A small deer showed up— not enough as dinner for an Alpha but it would have to do. At that moment, I wasn't necessarily hunting for food but for sport. When the deer got close enough, I pounced.
I was too quick for it to get away and I quickly sank my razor-sharp teeth into its side. It let out a low-pitched grunt, struggling against me and once again I bit into its neck, tearing off a chunk of flesh.
The deer stopped struggling and went limp as its deep red blood spilled all over the ground. Letting out a satisfied howl, I devoured my prey. When I was done with dinner, I raced through the woods, feeling the wind against my fur.
A feeling of exhilaration traveled over my body and I howled. It's been so long since I transformed into a wolf and I had forgotten how pleasant it felt to run in my wolf form. After hours of running, I decided I had enough and headed back the way I came.
Back to the cabin.