“I didn’t say they weren’t,” my mother replied mildly. “Difference is not weakness. Often, it’s the opposite. These children represent evolution. The next step forward for our species.”
Marcus was still examining his scratched hand with pride. “The boy didn’t hesitate. Saw a threat to his sister and acted. That’s Alpha behavior. He assessed, decided, and struck in under two seconds.”
“Of course it is,” Lina said, and there was pride in her voice now. “They’re Ravens.”
The way she said our family name, possessive and proud, made warmth bloom in my chest. My parents noticed too. Another of those meaningful looks passed between them.
“You consider them Ravens,” my mother observed. “Despite everything. Despite Knox abandoning you. Despite raising them alone.”
“They’re his children,” Lina said simply. “That makes them Ravens. Nothing changes that.”
“Interesting.” My mother’s smile was calculating now. “Very interesting.”
“We need to handle the situation with Mary carefully,” my father said, shifting the conversation to strategy with practiced ease. “If Alderic is involved as we suspect, this goes deeper than a simple pregnancy lie.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, though I was starting to suspect.
“Think, son.” My father’s voice took on the teaching tone I remembered from childhood. “Why now? Why push so hard? What does Alderic gain from weakening your position?”
The implications hit me in waves. “He wants the Alpha position.”
“Obviously,” my mother said. “But why now? He’s been on the council for twenty years. Always ambitious but never stupid enough to move directly. What changed?”
“His daughter’s approaching thirty,” I said slowly. “If she doesn’t mate soon...”
“She’ll be considered unviable,” my father finished. “Past prime breeding age by traditional standards. Her value as a political asset diminishes significantly.”
“So he’s desperate,” I concluded. “Running out of time to secure power through her.”
“Desperate men make mistakes,” my mother observed. “They overreach. They leave evidence.”
“The question becomes,” my father said, “who else is involved? Alderic’s not stupid enough to move alone. He has allies. Possibly other council members who see an opportunity.”
“We’ll need proof,” my mother said. “Of the child’s parentage. Of their conspiracy. Hard evidence that can’t be disputed or dismissed.”
“Leave that to us,” my father said, and his smile was all predator now. “Your mother and I have extensive experience in uncovering secrets. And destroying those who threaten our family.”
“You’re going to help?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. My parents rarely involved themselves in pack politics anymore, preferring to rule from the shadows.
“Of course,” my mother said, as if it should be obvious. “You’re our son. These are our grandchildren. Even if they’re half-human, we cannot allow such disrespect to stand. If we let Alderic and his daughter threaten our family without consequence, others will follow. They’ll see weakness where there is none.”
“The pack must be reminded,” my father added, “why the Raven name has commanded respect for generations. We eliminate threats. We protect our own. And we do not tolerate challenges to our authority.”
“Besides,” he continued, still admiring the scratches Rowan had given him, “it’s been too long since we had a proper hunt.”
35
— • —
Knox
The door burst open with enough force to rattle the windows. Noah staggered in, out of breath and pale, his clothes torn and dirty. He looked like he’d been running through the woods for hours, which knowing my brother, he probably had.
“I found something,” he gasped, bracing himself against the doorframe. “About Alderic.”
He stopped short when he noticed our parents standing in his living room like they owned the place. Which, knowing them, they probably thought they did.
“Marcus. Serena.”
