I don’t though. That would only piss them off and that’s the absolute last thing I need right now.
The elders have overstepped their authority in the current situation, but this system of governance has kept the Madison pack happy and stable for three generations now, and I’m not trying to upset that delicate balance. Their word goes a long way with the rest of the pack and I want them on my side, even if that means I have to stand here like a penitent child while they tut and tsk and generally act like pompous assholes.
I knew they weren’t going to like the idea of me taking a male mate, fated or not, but I didn’t expect quite this level of resistance.
The six of them are sitting in a row at a long table at the front of the room and they’ve been taking turns for the past hour telling me with varying levels of disappointment how I need to think about what’s best for the pack and how I need to put the pack’s needs first.
I’ve had about as much as I can stand. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, struggling to hold on to my temper.
I will not growl.
I will not growl.
I will not growl.
“Elder William,” I—fuck—growl out between clenched teeth. “I’ll say this one more time. I don’t need the elders’ approval to claim my fated mate.”
William straightens in his chair, then glances from side to side at the other elders. “While that may be true, you should have at least presented your chosen mate to us before—”
“There wasn’t time,” I bite out.
“I’m sure it felt that way to you,” he says, his patronizing tone grating my nerves even further. “I know what it’s like to be young and think everything is an imminent crisis.”
I close my eyes, breathing slowly through my nostrils. Losing my temper will only make them feel justified for thinking me immature.
William continues, “You turned down a lucrative mating alliance, and you destroyed any chance of a positive relationship with the Chicago pack.”Here it comes again…“How can we trust that you have the pack’s best interests at heart when you act so recklessly?”
I huff out a laugh of disbelief. “First of all,” I say, curling my fingers into my palms. “I turned down that alliance because I met my fated mate. Any of you would have done the same in my position. Second of all, the continued hostilities between us and the Chicago pack aren’t my doing. There was never going to be a positive relationship, not with Rossi in charge. He’d like nothing more than to see me dead because of what happened with his sister-in-law.”
“An issue that could have been handled much more diplomatically if you hadn’t acted unilaterally to grant the girl sanctuary,” retorts William. “If you had consulted us before—”
“Did you miss the part where Rossi tried to have me killed?” I ask, shaking my head. “Or how he tried to kidnap my brother? Or how about the fact that he wanted to cut up an omega for parts? And let’s not forget that he was alsotrafficking shifters. This is the guy you want our pack to have a positive relationship with?”
The elders blink at me in shock.
Daniella is the first to speak up, her hand resting on her chest. “We were not aware of the trafficking allegations.”
“Of course you weren’t,” I say. “Because you didn’t ask. I’ve been back for less than a day and instead of meeting with my second or spending time with my new fated mate, I’m here being treated like a misbehaving child.”
“Your uncle said—”
“Everett has his own motivations,” I snap. “Besides, he is not the Alpha of this pack.Iam.” I stalk forward. “If my dad thought my uncle was Alpha material, he would have named him as his successor. He did not.”
“Adrian didn’t know he would die so early,” says Quinn. “If he had, then—”
“Thennothing,” I snarl. “I am the Alpha of this pack. Yes, I was young and inexperienced when I took the title and I would have loved nothing more than decades more of my dad’s guidance, but I didn’t get that chance.”
All six of them shift in their seats, but only Daniella actually looks contrite. They’ve gotten too comfortable with power and it’s my fault. I let them guide me when I first took over, listened to them, even acquiesced to their decisions on some matters, because I trusted their wisdom and most of those things weren’t worth an argument.
“I’m so sorry we upset you,” says Tabitha in a conciliatory tone. “We’re simply worried about the future of the pack. Omega or not, fated or not, a male mate cannot give you heirs. You must have an alpha heir if you wish the continue the tradition of peaceful transfers of power started by your great-grandfather.”
William breaks in. “You could help put our fears to rest if you’d just make a simple concession.”
“Like what?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to like whatever it is they’re about to suggest.
William smiles, then gestures to a guy at the back of the room. The guy opens the side door and three young women file in. The first two are smiling brightly at me as they make their way to the front to stand by the elder’s table, but the third scowls and rolls her eyes. I’m pretty sure all three of them are the daughters or granddaughters of elders which, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me at all.
William sweeps his hand toward the young women like a game show host showing off a prize. “Take a surrogate. Any of these would be acceptable.”
