LARISSA STIRRED, CONSCIOUSNESS RETURNINGslowly.She was wrapped in unfamiliar sheets that smelled of pine and musk—Malcolm.The events of the night before rushed back, sending a flush to her cheeks.
The bed dipped as Malcolm sat on the edge, already dressed.The smell of coffee accompanied him.“Here,” he said, offering her a steaming mug.“Figured you might need this.”
Larissa sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest with one hand while accepting the coffee with the other.“Thanks.”She took a careful sip, using the distraction to gather her thoughts.“We should talk about—”
“About how we’re going to explain to the pack why we’re both wearing yesterday’s clothes at the meeting?”Malcolm’s tone was light, but his eyes were serious as they met hers.
“That’s not—” Larissa broke off with a frustrated sigh.“This complicates things.”
Malcolm settled more fully on the bed, his back against the headboard.“Does it?Or does it simplify them?”
“How do you figure?”
“Think about it,” he said, knowing that approach would appeal to her.“We’ve spent years fighting each other, trying to prove who’d be the better alpha.But last night…”
“Last night was different,” Larissa said softly.She took another sip of coffee, organizing her thoughts.
“Right,” Malcolm said.“Like pieces clicking into place.”
“Is it always like this?”she asked softly, tracing the line of Malcolm’s jaw with her fingertips.“With a mate, I mean.”
Malcolm caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm.“My mother always said it takes work, like any relationship.The bond gives us a foundation, but we have to build on it.”
Larissa nodded, considering his words.“I think I understand now,” she said slowly, “why some wolves say having a mate makes them stronger leaders.It’s not just about having a partner.It’s about having someone who complements you, who makes you better.”
“Exactly,” Malcolm agreed, a note of pride in his voice.“And that’s what we can offer the pack as coalphas.Two perspectives, two strengths, working in harmony.”
Her head snapped up.“Wait.Coalphas?That’s unprecedented.”
“So was a female alpha candidate, until you stepped up.”Malcolm’s thumb traced patterns on her palm, sending goose bumps up her arm.“Think about it, Larissa.Your diplomatic skills, my combat experience.Together, we could offer the pack something neither of us could provide alone.”
“It would be challenging,” Larissa mused, but her mind was working, analyzing possibilities.“The pack would need convincing.There would have to be clear protocols for decision-making, division of responsibilities…”
Malcolm grinned.“Already planning how to make it work?”
She shot him a look.“One of us has to think about the practical details.”
“And that’s exactly why we’d be stronger together.”Malcolm shifted to face her fully.“You see ten steps ahead, plan for every contingency.I trust my gut, act on instinct.Apart, those traits make us rivals.Together…”
“Together, they make us balanced,” Larissa finished.She set her coffee aside, mind racing with possibilities.“The pack has been divided too long, forced to choose sides.If we could show them a united front…”
“Show them that strength and strategy aren’t opposing forces but complementary ones.”Malcolm’s voice grew passionate.“We could heal the rifts Vincent created, build something new.”
Larissa went quiet, weighing options, considering angles.Finally, she met Malcolm’s gaze.“It won’t be easy.Some will resist the change.And this—” She gestured between them.“—adds another layer of complexity.”
“When has anything worthwhile ever been easy?”Malcolm countered.He brought their joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.“Besides, since when do you back down from a challenge?”
“We need to plan,” she said, her mind whirring.“We have to present a united front, show them why we’re stronger together.”
Malcolm chuckled, propping himself up on his elbows.“There’s the Larissa I know and love,” he teased.“Already ten steps ahead.”
A blush crept up her cheeks at his casual declaration of love, still too new, too fragile—but also right in a way she couldn’t quite articulate.
“Someone has to keep you on your toes,” she said, but a smile echoed through her words.
Malcolm’s expression softened.He reached out, cupping her face in his hand.“The pack will see what we see—that together, we can lead Sunburst into strength and unity.”
Larissa leaned into his touch, drawing comfort from the warmth of his skin.“I hope you’re right,” she murmured.
