"Alaris! Is that you?!"

Rudolf's speech stopped for a moment. He was surprised to see whose figure had suddenly met him that night. Rudolf immediately signaled the beta werewolf surrounding him to stay away. Affairs with Alaris were not something that should be public knowledge.

"Yes. I am."

Alaris replied in a short, flat tone. There was almost no expression. Her breathing was still labored from running fast and far. The residence of the Sword Claw pack led by Rudolf lived on the other side of the forest.

Rudolf walked towards Alaris slowly. Alaris reflexively backed away, she deliberately kept her distance from the male wolf and did not want to get close. Rudolf's smell was still distinctive. The smell that used to drive Alaris crazy.

The meeting that night became awkward. Both were silent for a long time and busy with their own thoughts. Rudolf never expected to see Alaris again. He thought she had forgotten him. More precisely, they had forgotten each other because they were not mates.

"Alaris, how have you been, where have you been?"

Rudolf made small talk. He was trying to break the silence between them. Not only that, he also tried to smile. Deep down, Rudolf secretly missed Alaris. That girl was his first love.

However, Alaris did not welcome the hospitality Rudolf offered. Her purpose in coming to see him was not to reminisce about their story. There was another business that was very important and urgent.

"Rudolf, this time you must help me. After that, we will not meet again forever. For good."

Alaris spoke coldly. Her eyes stared intently at Rudolf. She said those words while trying to cover up the pain in her heart. She should not have to plead like this, to a man who was biologically the father of her triplets.

Rudolf raised one eyebrow. Alaris had changed so quickly. He could no longer find traces of his former lover's cheerfulness and affection, just three years after they parted ways. What had happened to Alaris?

"Oh yes, of course I will help you. Just tell me, Alaris."

Rudolf tried to answer formally. Some had to clear their throats to break the deadlock in their conversation.

Alaris seemed to let out a few long sighs. She had to say it now. The secret that she had kept under wraps for the past three years. No one knew that her three children were the flesh and blood of Rudolf, the alpha.

"You must help me rescue the three little ones kidnapped by the rogue pack."

Rudolf's eyes spontaneously widened at the mention of the rogue's name. Before Alaris arrived, he and the beta pack had been discussing how they could stop the rogues. Now, Alaris came with the same problem.

"ROGUE? HUGO? You met them? Ah shit. We're going to kick their asses before they get any worse!"

Rudolf replied with the firm manner of an alpha. He was the owner of the werewolf territory in Elkhorn. Her authority seemed to be tarnished by the rogues' security intrusion.

"I'm not only restless, but I'd rather die if I can't find the kidnappers of my children. Three of my children were kidnapped by them this afternoon, right in front of the school!"

Alaris' voice trembled as she said that. Her anxiety continued to rise as Hugo gave her a short time. Just three days!

"Wait, you said there were three children kidnapped by Hugo? Those are your kids?"

Now it was Rudolf's turn to be surprised at Alaris' confession. He had never heard any gossip about his former lover being with another werewolf. How could she have children? Three children, too.

Alaris, who could read Rudolf's mind, was naturally upset. Either the man was too forgetful or deliberately erased all the stories of their past. However, now she could no longer evade responsibility.

"They're your children too!"

Alaris said that while looking away. She did not want to see Rudolf's face that she hated so much. Her chest thundered, her feelings mixed.

"WHAT DO YOU SAY? MY CHILDREN?!"

Rudolf said loudly. Alaris came in with news that kept surprising him.

"No, maybe. How?" asked Rudolf as he lowered his voice, almost to a whisper. His heartbeat suddenly quickened. Rudolf's eyes flashed at Alaris, demanding an explanation.

Alaris sighed harshly. Her gaze returned to lock on the alpha's figure. "Let's not be so shocked. The fact is, they are your children. Do you remember? We did it once during our holiday together."

Alaris' voice was no less soft. She was also reluctant to bring up how they had slept together that night. The beautiful holiday turned into a disaster because a few days later, she heard that Rudolf was being matched by his parents with Hemena, the future luna.

"Alaris, why didn't you ever tell me?" Rudolf returned Alaris' gaze with intensity. To him, the girl was very strange. In the past, she had simply disappeared when he was frantically searching for her.

Now, when she had just been sworn in as alpha, suddenly her former lover came back with news that rocked his world. They had a child!

"Never mind. No need to feel sorry for me. I just want you to help me save those children this time."

Alaris said formally again. She was not the old Alaris, the orphan girl who was easily used and begged. Now, she had to be strong and able to fight on her own for her triplets.

Rudolf was silent. Obviously, he had to help Alaris because dealing with rogues was a big deal for their pack. But on the other hand, working with Alaris could get him into trouble.

As the new alpha, everyone was testing his leadership. What if they knew about the children from her youthful affair? He could be the subject of people's gossip and scorn.

"Alaris, I will definitely help you, but...."

Rudolf's sentence trailed off, he didn't feel comfortable telling Alaris that their affairs should be kept a secret. She was still in shock. Not only that, but Rudolf wasn't sure if they were his children.

"I know. You want me to keep this a secret don't you? Fine. I'll keep quiet. You have my word. We'll leave and never show up here again."

Alaris' words sounded very bitter and painful. She knew well enough who she was and where she came from. Alaris did not demand Rudolf's responsibility or recognition, she just wanted her children back.

"Honey, I'm sorry."

Rudolf said softly, he really didn't want to hurt Alaris. But, what the hell, his position could be endangered if they got back into an illicit relationship.

"No need to feel sorry for me. I'm fine." Alaris said in a much colder voice. She did not want to look weak in front of Rudolf.

Alaris walked backwards and moved slowly away from Rudolf. She had her answer and now it was time to leave.

"They only gave us three days. We should leave now."

Rudolf realized that there was no more room for romance between them. Now they were faced with a great danger that had to be resolved immediately. "Just three days?"

Alaris nodded and turned around. She looked several times at the full moon hanging in the eastern sky. Midnight had already passed. Soon her body would turn into a human again. The same was true for Rudolf.

In the distance, the howls of other wolves could be heard. They also seemed to have transformed back into humans.

Alaris felt her body tremble again. It was time to shift into human form. The figure of a white she-wolf with blue eyes, now changed into a beautiful young girl. Her hair looked longer than the last time Rudolf saw her.

Rudolf, too, transformed into a burly, handsome man. His bright brown eyes looked sharp. Fine sideburns were beginning to grow around his chin. He was very masculine.

Alaris then asked Rudolf without looking at him. "Shall we go now?"