It was around the rise of dawn when the pair finally give in to their exhaustion and collapse on the soft, dewy meadow.

Sweaty and drenched bodies stay touched, heavy pants leaving their parted, bruised lips as they stare at the first light of the day peeking from behind the horizon.

Florian's head nestles Feather's neck as his arms stay glued around her torso while Feather's one hand is buried in the soft curls she missed so much and the other wrapped around her Omega's petite form.

She'd occasionally press kisses to his hair or forehead and Floiran would kiss her neck or cheek in response.

Just a silent way to constantly assure the other that they're actually together now. In flesh and bone. With a beating heart.

Their newly formed bond being the evidence of their entwined souls and hearts, letting the other feel the overwhelming emotions that's flowing through their mate's veins.

It's refreshing to feel their significant other's emotions after a whole month, but it's also a bit unnerving.

Feather had been so lonely and felt like an empty shell all this time and now to have her mate in her arms, their hearts beating in rhythm, she can't help a few tears that roll down her temples.

Upon noticing the mixture of emotion from Feather through their bond, Florian raises himself by supporting on his elbow.

He looks down at Feather and cups her face, wiping away the fallen drops by the pad of his thumb. Leaning down, he kisses her forehead, slowly peppering kisses down to her nose, eyes and cheeks, finally stopping against her inviting lips.

"I love you." He whispers, their eyes meeting again and both let their wolves take over so their eyes flash brighter.

Feather's hand slides to the back of his neck as she pulls him closer.

"I love you more." She replies with her wolf's voice doubling her tone before crashing their lips in a bruising kiss.

_________

They finally make it to the pack house by late afternoon. Dressed of course.

Feather grips Florian's hand tight as eyes stare their way. Gasps and mumurs echo as shock is displayed clearly over each face.

They stop at the front porch of the pack house and Florina tugs at her hand.

Turning around to face her mate with confusion, Feather finds the others gathered there with curious and questioning expressions.

"I wanna say something." Florian lets her know and she nods, taking a step back to give Florian his space.

He turns to the awaiting faces and feels a bit emotional to see many of them looking at him with teary eyes.

Clearing his throat, Florian shares another glance with his mate before beginning his speech.

"As you all can see, I'm not so dead anymore." He chuckles nervously and the crowd share a relieved smile.

"I'm really sorry for putting you all through the pain of losing a pack member. I'm sure you all must have been devastated by the incident.

I know you want to know how am I alive. Yeah, that, well, I don't know myself. All I know is I'm alive and back. Reunited with my Alpha."

He extends his palm out for Feather to take and she receives it gladly, planting a kiss to the back of his hand and standing next to him.

Florian turns back to the audience.

"And I promise to get back on my duties as soon as possible and be the Aleph you all expect me to be. I love you all and thank you for being here with Feather when I couldn't be."

His voice cracks as he thinks about how lonely his mate must have felt all these days. Feather squeezes his hand in comfort and they share a sweet smile.

"We love you too, Aleph! We're so delighted to see you alive and well and here. We believe in you and the Alpha!"

A woman yells with tears in her eyes and Feather notices it's Myra. She mouths her a thank you and she nods as everyone else cheers loudly, round of applause spreading around the crowd as the pair stand there with proud smiles on their faces.

__________

Afterwards, they go straight to the office. Well, they almost had an argument cause Feather wanted Florian to get rest while she sort out the newness of events.

But Florian insisted on joining since he desperately wanted to keep tabs on what's happening from now on.

Moreover, he wants to know what and how everything happened.

Sam and Ryna join the pair, bowing and welcoming the Aleph back as they all settle on the lavish couch.

Florian looks around and frowns, not witnessing a certain red head. He turns to Feather with the question.

"Where's Juliene and Grant? Shouldn't they be present here as well?"

Feather shares his confusion and tries to mind-link her sister but no response returns.

On the other hand, Sam and Ryna look really nervous as they share skeptical glances.

"What's the matter? Juliene's okay, right?" She growls, tensing at the thought of something happening to her Beta.

Florian rubs a thumb over her knuckles, as their hands are still interwined, comfortingly.

Sam clears his throat, fearfully looking up at her.

"There's something you should know, Alpha."

Feather doesn't like the tone in his voice and it strikes an unsettling nerve in her. She feels Florian grip her hand tighter to be of support her.

__________

With a soft click, the door to her room closes and soft footsteps could be heard.

Feather doesn't need to turn around to know who's here.

The familiar scent of sandlewood envelopes her nostrills and the tug at her heartstrings is felt.

Closing and re-opening her eyes, Feather continues to stare out the window as her heartbeat races.

"Fea."

Feather swallows hard. Resisting herself from doing something she might regret later.

A pause and few shaky breaths later, Feather hears the most heart shattering words.

"I'll never ask you to forgive him, but Fea, I-I ca- can't leave him."

The pain, the crack, the brokenness is right there and the feelings are evident through the pack bond. Feather's wolf cries out for their twin, whimpering weakly.

"I'm your sister!" Feather turns around with red rimmed eyes as her hands clench in frustration. "You'll leave me for a traitor!?"

Juliene supresses her wolf from growling in response to the insult to their mate. Because no matter what, a mate is part of their body and soul, they can't just suddenly hate them.

She inhales and exhales sharply, hugging her arms as a single tear slips down her cheek.

"Can you live without Florian? I guess you already forgot how you were during this past month. You were a walking zombie! How can yo-" she swallows the lump in her throat. "How can you ask me to leave my mate? The father of my unborn child."

Feather freezes, hands unclenching as her heart drops in her stomach.

Why is this happening now? Why?!

"Yes, Fea. I'm pregnant." A sad chuckle leaves Juliene's lips as she wipes at her face. "A- and I can't- no. I won't leave my mate. I know I won't be able to forgive him that easily but whatever he did, he did it for me. For our baby! I can't be mad at him for this. I have to trust him again.

But I promise, Fea. I'd never expect or ask you to do the same. J-just let us leave in peace. Don't hurt Grant, please, Fea. I beg of you. One last time." Her voice cracks as she lets more tear drops to slid down her face, mirroring her sister's.

Feather feels like her world's shattering all over again.

Why does she always have to lose one of her important persons? Why can't she have everyone she loves with her? Why must she always make the hard choices?

"Okay. I'll let you go."

__________

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