The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 345

The Alpha’s Burden

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The Alpha’s Burden

The door closed softly behind the three women, their laughter echoing down the corridor like wind chimes. Lori’s arm was looped through Meriem’s, Iva on her other side, their voices overlapping in animated conversation.

Caleb watched them go, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“It seems those three will be thick as thieves,” he observed, turning back to Attia. “Before it was just Lori and Iva, but it appears they’ve dragged Meriem into their fold.”

Attia’s lips curved into a genuine smile-a rare, unguarded expression that softened the hard

lines of his face.

“So many years lost,” he said quietly. “No contact. No friends. No relatives. Trapped. Locked away.” He shook his head slowly. “I’m actually surprised at how fast she bounced back. Her inner strength is remarkable. I’ve known skilled warriors who would have given up long ago, unable to withstand years of pressure and abuse.”

Caleb nodded, his expression thoughtful.

“She’s a survivor,” he said simply. “That kind of resilience isn’t learned-it’s forged in fire.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of recent events settling around

them like a familiar blanket.

Then Caleb spoke again, his voice carefully neutral.

“How do you really feel about taking over a pack as an Alpha?” He paused, his eyes searching Attia’s face. “I noticed you’re tense.”

Attia was quiet for a long moment.

Then he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding.

“Honestly?” he said, his voice low. “I’m excited. The biggest blow for me was when my father removed me as his successor years ago, just because I got injured in battle. I was raised to be an Alpha. To lead. To protect. And when I was left without that-something inside me froze.”

He paused, his hands clenching at his sides.

“My wolf was impacted. I felt like I had lost my purpose, my identity. I spent years drifting, trying to find something to fill that void.”

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Caleb listened without interrupting.

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“But now-” Attia continued, his voice growing stronger. “Now, I have a chance to reclaim that part of myself. To lead with honor, with integrity, with the values I was taught to uphold. It’s everything I ever wanted.”

He stopped, his jaw tightening.

“But there’s one thing holding me back.”

Caleb raised an eyebrow.

“Which is?”

Attia met his gaze, his eyes dark with concern.

“The Council’s recent judgment is still in place,” he said. “The bond dissolution order. If I become an Alpha, I’m returning to the system-and I don’t want to risk my bond with Lori. Not even for the sake of being an Alpha.”

Caleb was silent for a moment.

Then a slow smile spread across his face.

“I might have found a solution for you and Lori.”

Attia’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean?”

Caleb crossed to his desk and pulled out a leather-bound folder, its pages marked with

official seals and annotations.

“The Council’s judgment was based on the premise that your bond was formed under coercion,” he said. “But I’ve been working with my father to gather evidence-testimonies, medical records, witness statements-that prove otherwise.”

He opened the folder, revealing a stack of documents.

“We have proof that Lori was not the one who coerced you. We have evidence of the threats your father made, the manipulation he used, the pressure he applied. We have the testimony of the Praetorian guards who witnessed the abuse Meriem suffered at Calin’s hands-and the connection between your father and Calin.”

Attia’s breath caught.

“You’re saying-”

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The Alpha’s Burden

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“I’m saying that if we present this evidence to the Council, we can overturn the bond dissolution. Caleb’s voice was firm. “We can prove that your bond with Lori is genuine, that it was formed freely, and that any suggestion of coercion is a fabrication.”

Attia’s hands trembled.

“How long will it take?”

Caleb closed the folder.

“The hearing is scheduled for next week. I’ve already arranged for the evidence to be presented by the royal legal team.” He paused, his eyes meeting Attia’s. “If all goes well, the bond will be fully recognized-and you will be free to lead the Bloodfang Pack without fear of losing your mate.”

Attia stared at him, his emotions warring across his face-shock, relief, gratitude, hope.

“I don’t know what to say,” he whispered.

Caleb clasped his shoulder.

“Say you’ll accept the pack,” he said simply. “Say you’ll lead the Bloodfang Pack to greatness. Say you’ll build a legacy that will make your father regret every moment he spent trying to destroy you.”

Attia’s eyes glistened.

“I will,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I will.”

Caleb smiled, his grip firm on Attia’s shoulder.

“Then we’ll get you and Lori your happy ending.”

Later that evening, Attia found Lori in the gardens.

She was sitting on a stone bench, her face turned toward the setting sun, her hair catching the golden light. She looked peaceful, content-a far cry from the anxious, uncertain woman she had been when they first met.

He sat beside her, his hand finding hers.

“I have something to tell you,” he said.

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