Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1348 - 103 : Lorelei’s Laughter

*Noah*

The next day, I was on the back lawn of the Drogomor mansion, gazing out into the woods. I’d be meeting with Caleb today on the progress of a probationary pack member I had doubts about—Gray.

My feelings were mixed about that gentleman. I was sympathetic to Zara’s wants and gentleness to see him change. But I still couldn’t shake the fact that he may be a spy.

Still, things likely would have happened by now if that was the case. I needed to be reasonable and not let my emotions completely control me. Even if my wolf huffed and puffed about it.

Eventually, Caleb sat down at the table with a light smile. “Hello, Noah,” he said politely. “How have you been?”

“Busy, happy to have my brothers back, even if they are a handful,” I said, rolling my eyes.

This prompted Caleb to chuckle and nod. “They are,” he agreed. “You have a lot of handfuls to deal with lately. Well, has Briella been doing well?”

“Yes, very well,” I said, letting out a sigh in relief. “She’s a little angel, really. No kid is perfect, but my little girl is close to it. I almost wish she would cry more so I know she is doing alright.”

“Some babies just don’t cry as much,” he said. “I wouldn’t worry, especially if you and Zara don’t notice anything off.”

“That’s an entirely valid point,” I said with a smile. That soon faded, though, when I asked, “So... how is Gray?”

He must have noticed the edge to my tone because his expression became reassuring.

“He’s doing very well,” he said softly. “Day in, day out, he’s learning about the pack and our way of life. He’s taking traditions seriously, asking what more he can do to help.”

“I see. And your impression isn’t because you think he’ll report back to that bastard?”

“Not at all.” Caleb frowned slightly. “His relationship with his father is absolutely terrible. It’s why he can be so standoffish at times, but he’s trying to stop himself from snapping so much.”

“Trauma can do that,” I muttered.

I had my moments with my own father, but our relationship was mending slowly. I knew of plenty with far worse parental relationships that left their mark.

I really needed to hear him out. Caleb continued discussing just how far Gray had come since his initial arrival here, and how he had been working so hard.

“Hm,” I muttered. “Well, I think there really is potential in that young man. Your detailed reports tell me he can grow.”

I meant what I said, and Caleb dipped his head in agreement.

Later, I began paying close attention to Gray and confirmed exactly what Caleb had told me. I was very impressed. He solved an issue between two shifters who were snapping at one another about who would patrol and where they would do so, making valuable suggestions to fix the dispute.

After that incident, I approached him.

He was tense, eyeing me up and down, fear radiating from him. I kept my posture relaxed, trying to show him I wasn’t aggressive.

“Gray, I think it’s time to take things to another level,” I said gently.

He blinked in surprise. “You’re... not playing around. Right?”

“No. I think you can grow even further with some more leadership skills and self-discipline. Reports on you have confirmed that, and I’ve seen it for myself, too.” I gave him a smile, and he brightened.

“I would be honored to accept your training, Noah,” he said firmly.

With that, I began to discreetly set up sessions to train Gray.

His progress was slow at first. He was prone to snapping and shutting down, but I kept Zara’s gentleness in mind. I needed to be patient, even though it was difficult.

One day, Gray was sitting there in the garden, scowling at the flowers as I stood there with my arms crossed. “Do you understand why that wasn’t the right answer?”

“No,” he growled. “It makes sense. It’s what I’ve been taught.” He sighed. “Maybe I’m not right for this after all. I wish I could do better and learn faster. It’s so fucking much.”

“Well, you weren’t born rotten, and you aren’t rotten now.”

“Oh? Are you sure?” He looked at me now, his eyes flickering with vulnerability. “If I can’t prove myself to my father, how can I to you and this new pack, who gave me a chance I really didn’t deserve?”

“You don’t know that you can’t,” I responded. “What did you do to try to prove yourself to your father?”

“I just... I tried to lead patrols and go after as many weaklings as I could,” he said, his tone breaking. “I went after who I thought were weaklings, to expand the pack... expand the territory.”

“How did that work out?”

“It didn’t,” he said. “I always felt so sick inside. It wasn’t the right way of things, not at all. I may have followed my father’s militant path to begin with, but now—”

“You’ve changed.”

“Yes,” he said. “Well, I want to think that I have. I want to forge a different, more positive direction, to do something good in this world, rather than... just... having blood on my hands.”

I stared at Gray with a newfound sense of understanding. This man wasn’t lying at all. Here he was pouring his heart out to me, someone who initially wanted nothing to do with him.

“You know,” I said, “I’m proud of your self-awareness. You also have a healthy amount of humility. I don’t think you’ve changed.”

Gray’s expression fell, but I grinned.

“Wait, I wasn’t done,” I said. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I know you’ve had it in you all along. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

Gray brightened up, staring at me with his eyes flickering with relief. He let out a breath. “Got me for a second there,” he muttered, causing me to chuckle. Then, he grew serious. “But I should probably give you more insight to why I rejected Lorelei.”

He winced, pain crossing his expression.

I frowned deeply, thinking this over. “If you’re ready to say it, then do. I’m all ears.”

“I am,” Gray confirmed. He let out a sigh, then continued, “Part of the reason I rejected Lorelei was because I couldn’t see tying such a sweet person to a life in Silver Fang.”

A tear crawled down his cheek as he repositioned his stare to one of the flowers. Clearly, the thought of that disturbed him. I felt my heart clench at his genuine reaction.

That sealed the deal that, honestly, he was a lost wolf just trying to scrabble for a hold in this world.

“I see. From what Zara told me... it was very difficult.”

“Yeah,” Gray said. “Lorelei is much like my mother. That life... it... it killed Mom. She deserved better, I-I just didn’t know how to give that to her. So... I rejected her.”

He gulped, and added in a whisper, “And now she rightfully hates me. I put her through trauma by doing that. I am so happy she can find peace now.”

“Hey, you did the right thing,” I said. “Maybe it was too harsh, but we all make mistakes, and clearly, you regret it. You don’t expect her to get over it, either, nor should anyone. That is a very respectable mentality.”

“If Zara wanted you to leave her forever, would you do that, Noah?”

I nodded. “Briella would complicate things. But... sometimes, it’s best to let the one you love go.”

Thank the Goddess that was no longer a strong possibility.

*****

“Gotcha! Hah, gotcha!” shouted Aaron as I looked on, unable to contain my smile.

We’d been graced with snow, and in the chill of winter, everyone was enjoying the festivities in the wintery white landscape.

Aaron and Brandon were out with a bunch of pack youths, throwing snowballs at one another and getting bombarded by the youths who’d teamed up against them.

Zara laughed as, in retaliation for Aaron’s attack on one of the children, several let out war cries and rushed toward him with weapons of snow.

He fell, rolling and laughing as he was practically turned into a snowman.

Zara giggled softly, leaning against me as she watched. “He’s charming when he’s not on your case, isn’t he?” she asked me.

“Yes, he is,” I laughed. “He’s always been good around children, which is ironic, given that he teases me about it so much.”

“Well, it runs in the family,” Zara said warmly.

I turned and leaned over, giving her a gentle kiss on the lips before looking back at the festivities.

Lorelei was looking on curiously with a soft smile on her face. Her head was somewhat tilted, and Aaron caught notice of this.

“Hey, Lorelei, bet you couldn’t get me with a snowball!” he challenged.

“Are you underestimating her?” Brandon growled, crossing his arms.

“No, it’s called playing around. C’mon! Try it, Lorelei!”

“Alright, alright,” Lorelei said, finally caving. She grabbed a bit of snow and threw it at Aaron.

He was hit with it and gasped, dramatically toppling down into the snow and putting an arm draped over his head as if he were on a movie set.

“Oh, no! You got me, Lorelei! One of the most powerful shifters here, defeated by Lorelei and her crazy snow powers!” 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

All the kids around started cracking up at his dramatics.

That did it—Lorelei began to crack up, kneeling in the snow and grinning from ear to ear. It looked like he’d cut through her barriers, even if just a little bit.

Later that day, Aaron and Lorelei were chatting away as we sat around sipping hot chocolate.

“I was known as the ‘class clown’ back in my day,” Aaron bragged, sticking his tongue out goofily toward Lorelei.

“It’s fitting,” Lorelei replied with a giggle.

Meanwhile, Brandon sat next to me and narrowed his eyes. I could tell he was simmering with jealousy and nudged him.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I just... how is it he can charm her when I showed her all of my knowledge?!”

“Well, you were a bit pretentious and forward,” I said to my brother gently. “So was he, but he mended that. Lorelei’s journey requires compassion, not ego, a chance to laugh a little.”

“I... suppose you’re right,” Brandon sighed, though was still a bit huffy.

I studied him for a moment, hoping my words would actually get through to him.

About an hour later, I sat privately with Zara in my room, hanging out by a fireplace. I explained to her how Gray had been changing for the better, which earned me a smile.

“What do you think about all that’s going on?” I asked.

“Hmm... well, knowing what you told me, I think you should allow Gray to join Aaron and Brandon’s combat training regimen,” she said decisively.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Oh? Do you think it would pose a problem?”

“Maybe, but all three could learn to work together. Incorporating Gray could provide discipline and direction. It can also test his commitment to reform, given the two are vying for Lorelei’s attention.”

“Good point,” I said. “If he’s honest and wants Lorelei to have a chance to blossom, he needs to let her choose and not pressure her, and be open to others in the pack wanting her attention.”

“Exactly.”

I nodded. “I can consider that,” I said with a warm smile.

Wordlessly, I studied Zara for a moment, my smile only widening.

Zara balanced me so well. Her empathy often led to solutions I’d otherwise overlook since my mindset was a bit, well... rigid.

“What?” she laughed, noticing my expression.

“Nothing. You just complete me so well, beautiful,” I breathed, pulling her into an affectionate embrace and holding her close.

She returned my hug, giving a chuckle again and resting her head on my chest. “That came out of nowhere.”

“You’re just so intelligent, Zara. I have so, so much gratitude for having such a wise partner by my side to co-lead the pack.”

“That means a lot, Noah,” she said. “Moon Goddess, I love you so much.”

“I love you too, beautiful.”