Chapter 1
POV: Leah
I was back.
After years of studying, perfecting my skills, and building a name for myself, I had returned to my old pack—home. The stone paths were the same, but everything else felt bizarrely different. The Voss Pack had modernized—more buildings, more technology, more prosperity.
All thanks to the new Alpha.
When I left, Lucian Voss had been in command—a traditional, strong Alpha who had shaped this pack into one of the most respected in the country. His son, Darius Voss, had now taken his place, and under his leadership, the pack had flourished.
Leaving had been difficult, but I’d needed to go. I’d received an opportunity to attend the most prestigious medical school in the country, followed by the specialization I’d always dreamed of. But there was another reason I’d left—my father, Edgar D’Lara.
He was the strongest Chief of Guard the Voss Pack had ever known. A legend. And I was his shadow. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I excelled, I was always just Edgar’s daughter. So when the chance came, I took it. I left without looking back.
Until now.
Now, I was internationally recognized as the doctor-healer who could seamlessly blend science and magic. My potions, serums, and medical procedures had saved countless lives. That was why Alpha Darius had sent me an invitation to return—this time, not as Edgar’s daughter, but as the chief of the Voss Hospital. The youngest in its history.
But he wasn’t the only one who wanted me.
Alpha Killian Draeven had made an offer too—more money, more prestige. Yet, the thought of returning home had tipped the scales. Maybe, just maybe, I could finally step out of my father’s shadow.
The car slowed to a stop in front of the Pack House. My heart pounded.
The first thing I saw was my father, standing tall in his uniform, flanked by his guards. His familiar red hair was now streaked with gray, but his blue eyes held the same fire as always. Next to him stood my mother, her wavy blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, brown eyes warm with emotion.
And beside them—Pratz.
I hadn’t seen him in years, but his boyish charm was still there beneath the hardened exterior of a soldier. He had been my closest friend before I left, we have known each other since forever, the one person who never treated me like just Edgar’s daughter. His lips curled into a smirk, and I knew he had some sarcastic remark locked and loaded.
“Sweetheart,” my father said, opening his arms.
I barely managed to hold back tears as I stepped into his embrace. The familiar scent of leather and steel grounded me, reminding me of childhood nights spent listening to his stories of battle.
“Dad, I missed you,” I confessed, my voice muffled against his chest.
“Me too,” he murmured, pulling back to study me. “But you’re the one who left to become the best healer in the country.” His voice carried pride, and despite everything, I smiled.
“I missed you so much,” I said as my mother pulled me into her arms.
“Me too, honey,” she whispered, squeezing me tight.
Pratz whistled. “Damn, Leah. I almost didn’t recognize you. What, did they teach you fashion in medical school?”
I elbowed him, laughing despite myself. “And I see they still haven’t taught you manners in the guard.”
“Wouldn’t be as fun if they did.”
I shook my head, warmth spreading through me. I had missed this.
But the moment was short-lived.
My father stepped aside and gestured toward the grand entrance of the Pack House—which had been completely transformed since I left. The modern interior still held its regal roots, with golden sconces and banners of the Voss Pack crest adorning the walls. The place exuded power.
“Alpha Darius is in his office,” my father said. “He wants to speak with you.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
I had never interacted with Darius beyond formal contracts—most of which my father had handled. But now, standing before the heavy wooden doors, my pulse thrummed with unease.
My father pushed them open, and I schooled my expression, preparing to meet my new Alpha.
Darius Voss.
The boy I barely remembered was long gone.
He sat behind a grand mahogany desk, flipping through files, his broad shoulders tense with focus. His black hair was raven-dark, falling over his forehead in a way that made him look both refined and dangerously untamed.
And then there were his green eyes—piercing, assessing, filled with something unreadable as they landed on me.
I felt a strange pull in my chest.
No. It was just the heat season. That was all.
But then his lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.
“Doctor D’Lara.”
His voice was smooth. Deep. Commanding.
I swallowed. “Alpha.”
He stood, extending his hand in welcome. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet my new superstar.” His tone was casual, but there was something possessive in the way he said my.
I ignored the shiver that ran through me. “The pleasure is mine, Alpha.”
The word slipped out more seductively than I intended, and for a fraction of a second, his smirk deepened.
My father cleared his throat, nodding in greeting. “Alpha.”
Darius dipped his chin in acknowledgment. “Chief. Mrs. D’Lara.”
My mother smiled politely, but my father remained his usual stoic self.
“I’d love to show you the hospital,” Darius said, turning his gaze back to me.
“I have an afternoon meeting to organize, Alpha,” my father said. He kissed my forehead before stepping back. My mother hugged me once more and followed him out.
And then it was just Darius and me.
Alone.
The moment my parents left, the room seemed to shrink. Alpha Darius’s presence was overwhelming—his scent, a mix of pine and something unmistakably him, filled the air. I straightened my posture, determined to maintain my professionalism, but his gaze lingered on me, sharp and assessing.
“Shall we?” he said, gesturing toward the door.
I nodded, falling into step beside him as we left the office. The Pack House was bustling with activity, but the moment we stepped into the hallway, the noise seemed to fade. Everyone we passed paused, bowing their heads in respect as the Alpha walked by. I felt their eyes on me—curious, calculating.
“You’ve caused quite a stir, Doctor D’Lara,” Darius said, his tone light but edged with something deeper. “The pack is eager to see what you’ll bring to the hospital.”
“I hope to meet their expectations,” I replied, keeping my voice steady.
He glanced at me, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Somehow, I doubt that will be a problem.”
We stepped outside, and the crisp air hit me, a welcome relief from the tension building inside me. The hospital wasn’t far—a sleek, modern building that stood in stark contrast to the traditional architecture of the Pack House.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Darius said, following my gaze. “We’ve made a lot of changes since you left.”
“It’s… different,” I admitted. “But it looks like the pack is thriving.”
“We are,” he said, his voice tinged with pride. “But there’s always room for improvement. That’s why I wanted you here.”
I glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, the arrogant Alpha facade slipped, revealing something more vulnerable. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual confidence.
Darius led me inside, where the efficiency of the hospital immediately struck me. Nurses moved with purpose, and the equipment was state-of-the-art. He pointed out various departments, introducing me to key staff members before stopping in front of a spacious office with large windows overlooking the pack grounds.
“This will be your office,” he said. “I had it redesigned to your specifications.”
I stepped inside, running my fingers over the polished desk. The room was perfect—functional yet elegant, with shelves for my books and a comfortable seating area for consultations.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely touched. “It’s… perfect.”
He leaned against the doorframe, watching me with an unreadable expression. “I’m glad you like it. I want you to feel at home here.”
There was something in his tone—a hint of possessiveness—that made my pulse quicken. I turned to face him, determined to keep the conversation professional.
“I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations,” I said.
He pushed off the doorframe and took a step closer, his green eyes locking onto mine. “I have no doubt you will, Leah.”
The way he said my name—low and intimate—sent a shiver down my spine. I forced myself to hold his gaze, refusing to let him see how much he affected me.
“Is there anything else, Alpha?” I asked, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me.
For a moment, he didn’t respond. Then he stepped back, his smirk returning. “Not for now. I’ll leave you to settle in. But don’t forget—tonight’s ceremony is important. The pack will be watching.”
“I’ll be there,” I said.
He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he turned and left.
I exhaled slowly, sinking into the chair behind my desk. The weight of his presence was gone, but the tension remained. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between us—something I wasn’t ready to confront.
But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. The hospital was my responsibility now, and I had work to do.
