The Gamma’s Silent Howl

I remember my first year in the Silver Moon Pack, when Jesse Marshall, the future Alpha of the Crimson Fang Pack, arrived for a joint training session. He was striking—taller and more muscular than most, with a commanding presence that turned heads wherever he went. Little did I know how significant he would become to me in the seemingly endless years ahead. Countless times afterward, I found myself absorbed by his captivating looks. I loved gazing into his eyes; they were like the gentle mist of dawn—tender yet clear.

Pack life was busy and fulfilling, and gradually, the image of this remarkable young Alpha faded into the background of my mind.

It wasn’t until one evening, after a late patrol, that I returned to the packhouse and found my packmates huddled together, animatedly discussing something on a phone.

"What’s going on?" I asked.

Hailey Taylor pulled me aside and quickly filled me in—Joelle Rice, a prominent member of our pack, had confessed her feelings to a high-ranking Alpha and got turned down.

"Rejections happen all the time," June Butler added casually. "Especially when it comes to someone like him."

Curious about who this person might be, I was caught off guard when Hailey thrust the phone in front of me. "Gwen, do you think he’s good-looking?"

Before I could process my confusion, I was stunned. The photo wasn’t clear, just a profile shot. Sunlight illuminated his face, making it glow, and his eyes seemed focused intently on something, with a slight smile at the corner of his lips.

It was him. My heart suddenly started pounding.

Through my packmates, I learned his name was Jesse Marshall, the future Alpha of the Crimson Fang Pack, a pack known for its strength and influence. Since his arrival, he had become the object of many werewolves’ affections.

I occasionally attended pack gatherings, sitting in a back corner, watching him from afar. I was aware of the gap between us—a Gamma like me had little chance of getting close to someone of his status. But hidden in the shadows, I watched him, my wolf stirring quietly in the back of my mind.

The turning point came during a joint pack hunt. Jesse signed up to lead the hunt, showcasing his strength and skill. From then on, the training grounds were rarely empty, as many packmates showed up, hoping to catch his attention. Yet, for more than two weeks, Jesse never appeared, and eventually, everyone left.

I felt a bit disappointed. The words I had rehearsed in my mind never had the chance to be spoken, but hope lingered, and I continued to pass by the training grounds every day.

The Sunday before the next hunt, as I walked past the grounds as usual, I heard the sound of claws against dirt and the low growl of a wolf. Approaching, I saw Jesse in his wolf form, his massive frame moving with a grace that was both intimidating and mesmerizing.

I stood frozen at the edge of the clearing until he shifted back into his human form and prepared to leave. "Excuse me," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I stupidly stepped aside, watching him walk away, feeling a sudden surge of bravery. "Hi, I’m Gwen Lawson. We met once during a pack alliance event when I was younger."

Jesse looked at me, puzzled for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, it’s you."

He and I exchanged contact information. Returning to the packhouse, I quickly washed up, climbed into bed, and curled up under the covers, scrolling through his sparse social media posts with great attention.

A message popped up. Instinctively, I was about to swipe it away until I realized what it was and quickly opened the chat. It was from him: [I’m training again tomorrow evening; are you coming?]

I walked the path to the training grounds many times, but this time I walked slowly, imagining the scene of our meeting over and over, until I reached the clearing, half-lit by the moonlight, and there stood the person I’d been thinking about. Pushing the gate open gently, he turned to me with a smile that seemed to freeze time. My heartbeat resonated with his smile.

Jesse handed me a pass to join the hunt, causing me to abandon my usual patrol duties and venture out alone. That day, he led the hunt with precision and power, his movements fluid and commanding. The pack followed him without question, their loyalty to their Alpha evident.

The hunt ended, and Jesse shifted back into his human form, nodding to the packmates who had followed him. Applause and howls of approval rose like waves. Smiling confidently, he stepped off the field.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Jesse: [Shall we leave together after the pack run?]

I paused before replying: [Okay.]

The night was cold, the wind sweeping through the trees. I wrapped my coat tighter. When Jesse emerged, he had changed into casual clothes, with only a light sweater under his open jacket.

"Aren’t you cold?" I asked, rubbing my hands together.

"Not at all; your hands are freezing," he said, pressing his warm hands against mine. Slowly, his hand slid down to hold mine, guiding me outside. "How was the hunt today?"

"It was great, really great." I couldn’t think of how to express my feelings and just kept repeating myself to mask my embarrassment.

Jesse looked at me with a smile, "Starry Night, that’s what I call nights like this. They say the Milky Way is a hundred thousand light-years across, so every time we see the stars, it’s like connecting with distant planets from millennia ago."

Following his gaze, I raised my head, seeing the scattered starlight in the night sky.

Focused, Jesse continued, "The closest star is 4.4 light-years away. It took over four years to reach here, and we happened to look up. What a romantic encounter!"

Turning to face me, he said, "Meeting you, you’re the star that never sets for me, day or night."

Caught in his gaze, I was speechless, frozen in place.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Jesse’s husky voice reached me, "Gwen Lawson, would you like to be with me?"

Back at the packhouse, I was still dazed, realizing that the Alpha I thought I could only admire from afar had come into my life and held my hand.

And just like that, we were together.