Chapter 3: A Pack Before Himself

One week passed after Giselle's banishment.

The whispers around Winter Moon slowly faded.

At first, everyone expected their Alpha to lock himself away and mourn the loss of his mate.

Instead, Jaxon did the exact opposite.

He was the first person awake every morning.

Before sunrise, he inspected the borders with the patrol captains.

After breakfast, he met with builders repairing damaged homes.

By afternoon, he personally trained with the warriors.

Late into the night, he reviewed financial records inside his office.

Sleep became a luxury he no longer cared about.

Keeping busy was easier than remembering.

Even so, memories found their way back whenever he was alone.

Every empty hallway reminded him of Giselle's laughter.

Every quiet dinner reminded him of the seat that would never be filled again.

Drax remained unusually silent.

'You're exhausting yourself,' his wolf finally spoke one evening.

'Maybe that's the point,' Jaxon replied.

'Running from the pain won't heal it.'

'I'm not running.'

'Then what are you doing?'

Jaxon looked across the training grounds where dozens of young warriors practiced with wooden swords.

'Protecting what's left.'

Drax didn't argue.

He understood.

The following morning, Beta Ethan entered the Alpha's office carrying several ledgers.

"We've finished calculating this month's expenses," he reported.

Jaxon motioned for him to sit.

"How bad is it?"

"Better than last month."

"Food supplies have increased by fifteen percent."

"Trade with the neighboring river pack has started bringing in silver."

"And the farmers are expecting a stronger harvest this season."

For the first time in days, Jaxon allowed himself a small smile.

"Good."

"What about the orphan houses?"

"Fully stocked."

"The elderly?"

"Every home has enough firewood for winter."

Jaxon nodded with satisfaction.

"Then we're making progress."

Ethan hesitated.

"There's one more thing."

"Go on."

"Several unmated females from nearby packs have started asking about you."

Jaxon looked up from the ledger.

"No."

"I haven't even explained yet."

"You don't need to."

"The answer is still no."

"Alpha... they're only asking to meet you."

"Tell them Winter Moon isn't looking for a Luna."

Ethan sighed.

"I thought you'd say that."

Later that afternoon, Jaxon visited the pack school.

Children immediately rushed toward him.

"Alpha Jaxon!"

"Will you watch us train?"

A little boy held up a carved wooden sword proudly.

"Look! I made this myself."

Jaxon crouched to the child's level.

"That's impressive."

"But next time, sand the edges so you don't get splinters."

The boy grinned from ear to ear.

"Yes, Alpha!"

Watching their innocent smiles eased something inside his chest.

These children didn't care whether he had a Luna.

They only cared that their Alpha always showed up.

As he left the school, Elder Miriam approached him.

"Alpha, may I speak with you?"

"Of course."

The elderly woman walked beside him in silence for several moments.

"You've done remarkable things in only six months."

"The pack believes in you."

"But they also worry."

"About what?"

"About you."

"Leaders often carry burdens they refuse to share."

Jaxon smiled politely.

"I'm managing."

"No," she replied gently.

"You're surviving."

"Those are different things."

Her words lingered in his mind long after she walked away.

That evening, Jaxon trained alone in the sparring arena.

His sword cut through the air again and again.

Each strike carried anger.

Each movement buried another painful memory.

Sweat soaked through his shirt.

His breathing became heavier.

Still, he refused to stop.

"Enough."

The familiar voice belonged to Ethan.

"You'll collapse if you keep this up."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

Jaxon lowered his sword.

"Say what you came to say."

"Scouts returned from Bloodlust territory."

Jaxon's expression hardened instantly.

"Report."

"Alpha Jasper has officially announced his engagement."

Jaxon already knew the answer before Ethan spoke again.

"The future Luna is Giselle Breyer."

Silence filled the arena.

Jaxon simply nodded.

"Anything else?"

"No."

"Then dismiss the scouts."

"Yes, Alpha."

Ethan waited, expecting some kind of reaction.

None came.

After he left, Drax quietly whispered.

'Does it hurt?'

'Less than before.'

'You're lying.'

'Maybe.'

Jaxon stared toward the dark forest surrounding Winter Moon.

Some wounds never truly healed.

People simply learned how to live with them.

As darkness settled over the pack, bonfires lit the central courtyard.

Families laughed together.

Children chased one another between the houses.

Life continued.

Jaxon watched them from the balcony outside his office.

He realized something important.

His happiness had never belonged to him alone.

As Alpha, every decision he made shaped the lives of hundreds of people.

If he allowed his heartbreak to control him, Winter Moon would suffer.

He couldn't allow that.

Not now.

Not ever.

He placed both hands on the balcony railing.

"I lost my mate," he whispered to the night.

"But I won't lose my purpose."

Above him, the full moon shone brightly through drifting clouds.

Its silver light covered Winter Moon Pack like a silent blessing.

Far beyond those mountains, fate was already moving.

A woman named Sable Embers had no idea her life was about to collide with the Alpha who had sworn never to love again.