Will never fully have him

Silently, Morgan stared at Alex, knowing she had to tread carefully with her explanation, especially given the circumstances she had just created. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Alex, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability.

“I didn’t intend to make the choice for you, Alex,” Morgan began, her eyes meeting his. “I only learned about Benji’s true identity today when I visited the orphanage. As we were talking about the children there, one of the staff mentioned a boy whose parents had been killed during the war. When I asked for their names, they stood out to me immediately.”

Alex’s brow furrowed, his focus sharpening on her words. “What were their names?”

“Romeo and Anna,” Morgan replied softly, the lie coming more easily than she had expected. “They were members of my extended family, distant relatives. They were killed during the war between the Silver Claw Pack and the Blood Moon Pack. Benji is their son.”

A deep frown creased Alex’s forehead, and Morgan could see the realization dawning in his eyes.

The connection between their packs, the history of bloodshed—it was all coming back to him. His jaw tightened as he absorbed the information, and for a moment, the room was filled with a heavy silence.

Lowering her gaze, Morgan pressed on, her voice gentle but firm. “When I realized who Benji was, I couldn’t leave him there. He’s family, Alex. He’s part of my bloodline, and after everything he’s been through... I couldn’t let him stay in that orphanage. I couldn’t let him grow up feeling alone or unwanted.”

As silence settled between them, Alex’s expression softened slightly, the hard edges of his features easing as he processed her words.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze locked onto hers. “So you’re saying that Benji is...”

“My cousin,” Morgan finished quietly. “He’s my distant cousin’s son. When I saw him, I knew I had to take him in. I didn’t want to burden you with it before I could explain everything. I just... I wanted to make sure he was safe first.”

When her eyes locked with his, Alex exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing as he leaned back in his chair. The realization that his pack had played a role in Benji’s tragic past weighed heavily on him, and for the first time, he looked at Morgan with a mix of regret and understanding.

“I’m sorry, Morgan,” Alex said quietly, his voice sincere. “I had no idea that we were responsible for what happened to Benji’s parents. I never wanted this war to hurt innocent lives, especially not someone connected to you.”

Smiling faintly, Morgan felt a flicker of relief at his apology, though it didn’t completely erase the tension between them.

“It’s not your fault, Alex,” she replied, her voice gentle. “The war was brutal on both sides, and we’ve all lost people we cared about. But now we have a chance to give Benji a better life, to show him that he’s not alone.”

“You’re right. We can’t change the past, but we can give him a future. I just wish... I wish you had trusted me enough to come to me first.” Alex said, his eyes softening.

Unable to meet his gaze, Morgan felt a pang of guilt but also a glimmer of hope that this could be a turning point for them.

“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I was just so scared of what might happen, and I acted on instinct. But I promise, from now on, I’ll be more open with you. I want us to face things together.”

A faint smile touched Alex’s lips as he reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “We will. And Morgan, if Benji is part of your family, then he’s part of mine too. We’ll raise him together, and we’ll protect him.”

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door interrupted the moment between Morgan and Alex. They both turned toward the sound and before Alex could respond, the door creaked open to reveal Clara. She stepped inside, her form lithe and graceful, bowing deeply in apology as her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry for interrupting, Alpha," Clara began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I heard you were having dinner with the Luna and wanted to extend my respect to you both."

Silently, Morgan felt a twinge of irritation, though she kept her expression neutral. Clara’s presence, delicate and unassuming, seemed to cast a shadow over the fragile peace she had just begun to rebuild with Alex.

However, Alex didn’t seem to notice Morgan’s unease. He was already standing, his brow furrowing as he took in Clara’s appearance. She wore a thin nightgown, the fabric clinging to her slender frame, and it was clear that she had hurried to get to them, likely without considering her attire.

“Clara,” Alex said, his voice laced with concern, “why did you leave your quarters dressed like that? It’s freezing outside. You could catch a cold.”

He quickly shrugged off his jacket and draped it over Clara’s shoulders, his hands lingering for just a moment too long as he ensured it covered her adequately. Clara blushed slightly, her eyes lowering as she murmured her thanks.

Biting back her tongue, Morgan watched in silence, a storm of emotions churning within her. She had known that winning Alex’s complete trust and loyalty would be challenging, especially without the mate bond to solidify their connection. But seeing him so attentive to Clara, so protective, brought a sharp pang of emotions that she struggled to suppress.

Finally, she couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Standing up, she forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Alex, perhaps you should take Lady Clara back to her quarters. It’s late, and she shouldn’t be out in this cold.”

Alex glanced back at Morgan, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes at her abrupt change in demeanor. “Are you sure? We haven’t finished our conversation—”

“I’m sleepy,” Morgan cut in smoothly, her tone gentle but firm. “And I’d like to be excused. We can continue our conversation tomorrow.”

Alex hesitated, clearly torn, but eventually nodded. “Alright. I’ll be back soon.”

He turned to Clara, guiding her toward the door with a protective hand on her back. Clara shot Morgan a quick, almost apologetic glance before disappearing into the hallway with Alex.

As the door closed behind them, Morgan felt the weight of the evening pressing down on her. The relief she had felt earlier was quickly overshadowed by the realization that she would have to fight harder for Alex’s love and attention. Clara’s presence, though seemingly innocent, was a reminder of the competition she hadn’t anticipated.

Sinking back into her chair, Morgan stared at the empty room, the silence now feeling heavier than before. She could only hope that the lie she had spun wouldn’t unravel before she had the chance to secure her place in Alex’s heart.

But as she sat there alone, a part of her couldn’t shake the fear that no matter what she did, she might never fully have him to herself.