After Everything, Can You Still Love Me?

Alex winced, his arm aching from having blocked a roundhouse kick aiming for his head. The force of it left him feeling disoriented as he staggered to the side. The scarier part, he knew she was holding back. Not that he was expecting anything less from the former Beta of Pack Prowler.

Sporting muscles, covered in scars, and standing at six-foot-four, it was hard to believe that this woman was more than a hundred years old. Alex could only imagine what it was like to be at the receiving end of her hits under actual combat. If it were not for the fact that they were only training, he was sure that that kick would have ended with him knocked out cold.

Anyway, more pressing matters at hand. How to go about not getting your butt kicked by a two-hundred-ninety year old woman?

Alex shakes his head in an attempt to regain his focus. Steadying himself, he throws a punch which— unsurprisingly— did not land. What did surprise him was how quick she was to grab his arm, lock it under hers, and knock him down with a leg sweep.

He lands on the matted floor with a thud and a groan. ‘Okay, I give up’, he thinks, not making a move to get up as a sign of surrender.

Sweaty and exhausted, Alex squints up at Mrs. Gaia Nox who had a hand on her hip and a smug look on her face.

“Not your brightest decision, Mister Moore. A jab? That's the best you could think of?” she teases, but still graciously offers a hand.

“Yeah, well, the head guard does very little to keep my neurons intact,” Alex jokes, now standing on both feet while he takes off his gloves. In hindsight, she was right. Had he backed away and actually weighed his options that would've ended better. Mrs. Nox just laughs, taking off her own headgear.

“If you struggle to keep your head straight with a guard on, I can only imagine how you perform without one,” she jokes back. However, after a moment, she sobers up and looks back at him with a smile that was more genuine and, dare he say, proud.

“But,” she continues, “in all seriousness Mister Moore, I commend you for your best performance yet. Both in your technique and endurance.”

They both turn to look up at the timer installed on the plain white wall. The numbers ‘00:42:39’ blinkback at them in bright yellow. This was the first time Alex ever managed to pass the thirty-minute mark. Tired as he was, he could not help but smile knowing he had progressed. Of course, he had his instructor to thank for that.

“I couldn't have done it without your guidance, ma'am. Which, thank you…really,” he says with a small bow of his head. When he was told at the start of his freshman year that Mrs. Nox would be his instructor, he felt all seven trillion of his nerves prickle with anxiety. She had spent the last two-hundred years showing the world just what it means to be a beta. To say she was intimidating was an understatement. But as the months passed, he's found to have grown somewhat of a bond with the older wolf.

He was pulled from his thoughts when a firm hand grips his shoulder. “Don't thank me yet, young man. We still have three years of PT to spend together,” she says, stepping away from him after a moment.

“You can thank me on your inauguration,” she continues as they go about the usual routine of placing their equipment back on the shelves. “To which, of course, I expect an invite?”

“Personalized and with a box of green tea, Mrs. Nox,” Alex replies from where he was standing at the edge of the mat, now fully facing her. Strong, firm and capable; Alex could only hope to grow into the kind of beta that she was when his time came.

With a smile, she says, “See you on Monday, Alexander,” and dismisses him for the day.

Saying his own goodbyes, he exits the training hall and beelines for the main gate. The campus of Saltus City University was nothing short of impressive, what with its towering buildings and wide patches of greenery. But having to walk what feels like a whole kilometer just to get from the training hall to the main gate was definitely not in Alexs’ favor right now. Thankfully, the weather was cool, with it already being five in the afternoon and all.

The early evening air helped to keep him from sweating any more than he already has, and he takes a moment to relish the refreshing feeling that came with it. Just as he was about to pull out his phone, a gruff voice stops him in his tracks.

“ID's must be worn at all times inside the campus, Mister Moore,” it was one of the school's many security guards, Ericson Fletcher. He was leaning against a tree with his usual bored expression.

“Right, sorry Mr. Fletcher,” Alex says, pulling his backpack to the front and fishing for his ID. While Mr. Fletcher came off as cold and nonchalant, students would often catch him feeding the many stray cats around campus with a bag of cat food he always seems to have stored somewhere.

He spots his ID in the bottom of his bag, the words ‘SCU: College of Public Administration and Governance’ printed along its deep green lace. Putting it on, he goes back to what he was doing prior and sends a quick text to a group chat.

‘Done with PT, r we still going frosthiem’ it read. He had already waved down a cab when a reply came. It was from David, who had also reacted to his message with a sparkle emoji.

‘Yuppsss. U going to da packhouse first?’ was his reply.

‘Ya, gonna shower and change out of uniform,’ he replied back, followed by, ‘See you guys there.’ Shutting off his phone, he spends the rest of the ride in comfortable silence as he stares out the window.

Surrounded by woods and mountains covered in pine, Saltus is a city composed of thirteen different packs who had come together in alliance five centuries ago.

While each pack has its own territory, the city centers serve as— for lack of better description— a ‘communal territory’ as some would call it. It has all the things one would expect a city to have. Parks, apartments, malls, markets, cafes, restaurants…all that good stuff.

What was once a small town is now a booming community with residents of different races. Humans make up a good chunk of the city's population but it wasn't uncommon to find other shifters, hybrids, and even a few sorcerers here and there.

Slowly, the tall buildings and bustling streets transitioned into the quiet sounds of the forest. The tall pine trees catches Alexs’ attention and brings him back to the present. Looking up ahead, he spots the gates that mark the beginning of Canis Peak territory, made clear by the large metal arch with the words ‘Canis Peak’ welded within its borders above the pillars of the gate.

The two enforcers posted at said gate stand alert at the sight of the cab. As they drew closer, Alex and the driver rolled down their windows. After a brief inspection, the gates opened and they were free to pass.

Minutes later, the administrative building comes into view. A fountain stands in the middle of the roundabout as the road splits into two, continuing down either side of the three story building.

“Cabs aren't allowed past this point, am I right?” the driver asks.

“Yeah…um…just drop me by the road to right, thanks”

A hum is all Alex got as a response. After paying for his fare, it takes Alex another fifteen minutes to reach their packs’ residential area and another five to reach the packhouse.

Alex heaves an exaggerated sigh as he enters the building. A wide lobby-like room greets him as he does. Two arch shaped doorways that lead into hallways are found to his left and right. From his left, he could faintly hear the sound of clanging silverware as the cooks prepared for tonight's dinner, while to his right was a mix of voices and laughter. In front of him is another entryway that leads into the library, and on either side of it are two elevators and staircases that curve up to the second floor.

Taking the elevator on the right, the doors close as he presses the button for the fifth floor. Once there, he finds himself in a wide rooftop garden overlooking the packhouse's wide backyard. Or was it considered a terrace? Technically this wasn't the roof yet as a large portion of this floor was occupied by the three duplex apartments designated for the heads of the pack.

Regardless, Alex walks down the paths of the garden and is surprised to find the door to his family home already unlocked.

'I guess Mom got home early.'

Stepping inside and locking the door, he calls out a greeting. Stepping into the living room, he finds his mother already standing, arms open for a hug. Alex meets his mother halfway, a sense of comfort washing over him.

Despite not being their flesh and blood, Alex had been showered by nothing short of love by his parents ever since he stumbled into Canis Peak territory. Bruised, muddy, and not having a single clue where he came from except his name.

While he held a small amount of grief from either losing or being separated from his biological parents, Evelyn and William Moore have given him a life he wouldn't trade for the world.

“Welcome back, my dear”, his mother says, kissing his cheek.

“Glad to be back,” he replies. “But I’ll be heading out again in a little bit.”

“Ah, right. Your little Frostheim excursion is later this evening?”

“Mhmm. Me and the guys haven't really found the time to hang out much these past couple of weeks.”

“Well, don't let me keep you for long then. Let me know when you get there.”

“Sure, Mom.”

With that, he heads up to his room and gets dressed in winter clothes. Grabbing all that he needs, he bids his mom goodbye, heading down to the pack's common room to wait for the others.

When he gets there, he spots Liam lounging on the couch. The wide room is split into two by a retractable “wall” in order to have some sort of separation for the two T.Vs’, and behind it, Alex could hear the sounds of a movie playing on the other.

Taking notice of his presence, Liam speaks up.

“My dad offered to drive us to the park. We’re just waiting on David to get ready and then he'll pick us up from here. Maddie is already on her way down,” Liam says, straight to the point as always.

“Well, hello to you too,” Alex says, plopping down next to him.

Liam replies with a low hum, still tapping away on his phone. Alex observes his shorter friend who seems groucher than normal, a frown on his face and annoyance flickering in his eyes.

“You good?” he asks, although, knowing Liam he probably won't spill more than surface level info. Not that he was in any room to talk.

Said friend sighs, pocketing his phone away. “I’m fine, just…burried in requirements.”

“Is that…all?” are the only words Alex can wrack his brain to come with as a reply. It, however, seemed to do the trick.

“Well, there's also the fact that I'm stuck with a freeloading, academically inept groupmate who thinks he can push me around just because I'm an omega but y'know…whatever,” Liam says bitterly.

Alex felt his eye twitch at the admission. Liam didn't say it out loud but the dots were easy enough to connect.

He had heard whispers and seen anonymous posts on their university's freedom wall ranting about some guy in the college of botanical science. From what he's gathered, the guy had some seriously twisted views on women and omega wolves and wasn't embarrassed to make it known. Despite the complaints, he was smart enough to not do anything that was classified as an offence so the school couldn't do much to really reprimand him.

Alex had checked in with Liam a couple times to ask if he was causing him any trouble, to which he always replied that he was fine, and that he made sure to keep his distance from him. But it seems he couldn't avoid him this time

Pushing his anger aside, Alex focuses on comforting his friend. Or at least try to. But before he could offer any words of comfort, Madeline walks in. Her blonde-almost-white hair was tied in a half-ponytail and she wore her usual silver jewelry.

“Hey, hey!” she greets enthusiastically, oblivious to the previously building tension. “David's ready to go. We can chill in front of the packhouse while waiting for Mr. Harris.”

“Alright, I just texted him,” Liam says as he gets up from the couch, as if completely forgetting about what he had just told Alex.

Following suit, Alex stands up and double checks his pockets to make sure he has his phone, wallet, and keys. He keeps his eyes trained on Liam, concerned, even as they make their way out of the common room and into the hallway.

‘I get that he doesn't want to ruin the mood but…’

Coming up to walk beside Liam, Alex lightly nudges him by the side. Though he refused to look him in the eyes, Alex knew he got the message.

Later.

“Well, you guys are unusually quiet. Should I be concerned?” says a voice Alex has grown all too familiar with. Now in the foyer, David stands at the bottom of the staircase beside the elevators dressed in similar fashion as the rest of them, though a lot more smart-casual.

“Looking dapper as always, Sir David,” Madeline says with a bow, faking an English accent while pretending to take off an imaginary top hat.

David chuckles, muttering a small thanks. Ever the gentleman, he goes to complement Madeline's earring combination for the evening.

Their chatter fills the air, even when they make it out of the pack house, just as Mr. Malik Harris pulls up by the sidewalk.

“That was quick,” Liam says, getting in the passenger seat.

“I was already on my way over when your text came through,” was his father's chipper reply.

“Thanks again for offering to drive us there, Mr. Harris!” is the first thing David says as the three of them file into the back seat.

“Not a problem,” Mr. Harris says with a smile. “You kids ready to go?”

After a series of ‘yup’s and ‘mhmm’s, they were off to the city center. Mr. Harris wasn't exactly going to drive them to Frostheim, but he was going to drop them off at Central Park where the teleportation pads were found. After which, it would only be a matter of seconds before the four of them would be at the heart of the town.

With a small reminder to stay out of trouble, Mr. Harris bids them goodbye while they step out of the car and head into the park.

Street lamps light their way, the sun now more than half way past the horizon as the clock hits thirty minutes past six. Even still, the streets were bustling with people heading home from work or school, others taking evening strolls through the park.

At the center of it all is a circular, almost crystal-like, platform surrounded by tall stone pillars engraved with runes. The platform begins to glow faintly once the four of them step on.

“Alright, think Frostheim, everyone!” Madeline cheers as they all close their eyes.

With their destination in mind, the platform, along with the runes, begin to glow brighter. A faint buzzing sound fills the air, and in a flash of light, the four of them are transported to a snowy town run by elves and faes.

Found in a valley surrounded by the icy mountains of the North is the town of Frostheim, where winter is a constant and beach days are a far away dream. Nonetheless, the residents of the town have a way of making this winter wonderland feel warm and welcoming.

As opposed to the sound of car engines, the clattering of horse hooves resonate throughout the streets of the town. That, and the fluttering of wings as the sprites and faeries zip through the air.

Alex stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jacket, immediately regretting not bringing a pair of gloves. Madeline seems to share his sentiment as she says, “Man, I knew I should've worn gloves!”

“We still have thirty minutes before seven. Anything you guys wanna check out before then?” Alex suggests.

“Oh! Can we go to the market? Dad just finished putting up my cryogarden and I want new plants,” Liam says.

“Market it is then,” David announces.

It takes the group around ten minutes to get to the market. They walk through the line of stalls in the gardening section as Liam rambles on about cryogardens and plants specific to colder regions. Madeline seems to be listening intently, pointing out plants and asking what they were, while Alex and David lag behind.

“So…,” David starts, causing Alex to look up at him. His eyes flit around awkwardly before he finally says, “...The weather's nice?”

Alex rolls his eyes at that. “Please, spare me,” he says with a groan.

“I couldn't think of anything better to say!” David says between laughs. “Look, why don't you start us off with something, hm? How was your day! Any hot college gossip that somehow didn't reach Maddie?”

For a moment, Alex considers telling him about his earlier interaction with Liam. David was a lot better at handling these types of situations than he was, and he could definitely use some advice. But a part of him felt like doing so would be a breach of Liam's trust and or or privacy. Regardless, Alex didn't want to risk upsetting him anymore than he already was.

Alex lets out a breath. “Eh…I don't know. I did make it to forty minutes on spar-training earlier, though,” he says with a small smile. He definitely wasn't going to live that down for a good week.

“Oh?! That's awesome, dude!” David cheers, playfully shoving Alex by the shoulder. “I couldn't even manage to make it more than twenty against Mr. Anderson during my first year. Can barely even make it to forty now,” he adds dejectedly.

‘You down play yourself too much,’ Alex thinks. He's seen a few of David's sparring sessions with Mr. Anderson on the rare occasion he gets dismissed early. If Mrs. Nox was difficulty level: hard, then Mr. Anderson was a nightmare.

“Even for an Alpha wolf, it's insane how strong the man is! I swear, the guy's definitely on steroids— woah!”

A cloaked figure rushes past David, almost knocking him over. Alex is quick to support his friend by the arm to keep him from falling, all the while sending a dirty look towards whoever the person was as they flee towards the entrance of the market.

“Well that was weird,” David says, running a hand through his medium length black hair. Half a second passes before his expression turns into something more serious, his brown eyes flashing gold. Then, Alex feels the back of his neck prickle as his wolf pushes forward.

Danger.

“H-hey! Stop him! Theif!” someone yells.

Alex and David lock eyes, but it only takes a moment before the two of them take off in pursuit of the man in black.