I grunted as I turned to leave. “Be careful of that pouch, or I won’t be the only one the Goddess burns.” I think I heard a chuckle as I left, but I didn’t turn back, and they didn’t stop me.
I made my way to the pack hall, thinking over what the druid had said, whatmostwere saying in the pack. But Adair and the druid seemed to be the only two not afraid to say ittoeither Rowen or me.
I would quite happily have sex with my wife. She was gorgeous, and I wanted nothing more than to claim her in every way possible. But… I sighed, because it was more complicated than “one and done, and thanks for your time.” She was my mate. Sex meant the bond was sealed. We were forever bound. I scratched my shoulder where the wedding mark was. I was already bound to her…in marriage and in fate.
Whywasn’tI having sex with my wife? Oh, that’s right, she hated me.
I smirked as I approached the pack hall. The druid was right about one thing: her mind said no, but her body was more than willing to submit to mine. Maybe Ishouldpush it further.
Killian met me at the main door. “Okay, I know all the things I’ve said before, but I think it’s time you just used it.”
“Used what?”
“Your Will. It’s like talking to the wall in there. We’re getting nowhere; you’re going to need to force them to listen.”
“Let’s see how we go before such drastic measures, eh?” I stepped inside the hall.I am their alpha, not their tyrant, I said to him.
I’ll remind you of that in five minutes.
Don’t be so pessimistic, beta.I nodded to Brand, who stood at the far side of the hall, glaring at anyone who dared to look his way.That wasn’t a good sign.
I looked around the pack hall. Since becoming the alpha for Blueridge Hollow and having some of Stonefang Pack join us, I had never seen the pack look so completely divided.
I glanced back at Killian, who gave me an “I told you so” look, and I fought the urge to sigh as I turned back to my pack, because theyweremy pack.
I stepped forward as they watched me, and I took my time to assess them all carefully. Reallyseeingthem.
Two sides. That’s how they stood. Not openly, not dramatically—but the line was there. You could see it in the shoulders squared just a little tighter, the spacing between wolves who shared a patrol but not trust.
Blueridge Hollow on one side. Stonefang on the other. Us and them. Well, not anymore.
Keep the doors open, I told Killian and Brand,I want everyone to hear this.
I let the silence drag long enough to make a few of them shift on their feet. Then I spoke to the room as a whole.
“You have all accepted me as your alpha.” A few heads nodded. A couple dropped their gazes. “I have led Stonefang Pack through loss and fire. I returned to Blueridge Hollow because this land is part of me. My roots are here. So is my future.”
I let that last line settle.
“My mate is the daughter of the Hollow. My bond to her ties me to this Hollow. That doesn’t make me less of a leader of Stonefang. I am your alpha.” A murmur ran through the back of the crowd—subtle, unsure. “I’ve heard the whispers. I’ve seenthe way you hesitate. Stonefang, you think Blueridge is soft. Blueridge, you think Stonefang wants to take what’s yours.”
I paused. Gave them all time to sit with it.
“But we’renottwo packs anymore. That’s done. Over.” I scanned their faces—familiar and foreign alike. “We bleed the same. We fight the same. And you all answer to the same alpha.”
I took another step forward, moving closer to the center of the room.
“You want to live in the past? Fine. Do it outside my borders. But if you stand here, then you stand with me. Not behind me. Not beside me with a knife in your hand.Withme.” A ripple went through them. Heavier now. Stronger. “If you can’t do that,” I said, voice low and final, “then you’re not part of this pack.”
I let the silence fall hard. No one moved or spoke as I gave them time to absorb my words.
“We are one. Blueridge. Stonefang. That history’s over. And if I hear or see this ‘us and them’ bullshit again, you’ll answer to me.”
I didn’t use my Will. I spoke to my pack.
I didn’t shout.
They were already listening.
