“You gave them twenty-four hours. It’s barely been twelve.”
“Yeah, well.” Leyden shrugged. “That’s Walter. Always early, always thorough.”
Right on cue, a knock sounded at the front door.
Leyden rose and headed for the entrance. Connor followed, coffee cup in hand, positioning himself near the doorway where he could observe without being directly in the conversation.
Walter stood on the porch, his mate Sarah beside him. The older wolf’s face was serious, the lines around his eyes deeper than Connor remembered from the restaurant.
“Alpha,” Walter began.
“Just Leyden is fine,” his mate said, but Walter shook his head.
“No. You’re my alpha, and I came to say I’m sorry for questioning that yesterday.” Walter’s voice roughened. “I should have trusted you to know your own business. Your relationship with your mate is yours, and I had no right to doubt your strength because of it.”
Leyden’s expression softened. “I appreciate that, Walter. But I understand where the concern came from. I’ve never been one for restraint before.”
“Maybe that’s the point,” Sarah spoke up. “You’ve found someone worth changing for. That’s not weakness. That’s strength, Alpha.”
Through the bond, Connor felt Leyden’s gratitude, his relief. But also determination. His mate wasn’t going to let the pack off easily just because Walter showed up first.
“I’m glad you see it that way,” Leyden said. “But eight of your pack mates were banished yesterday because they didn’t. Because they thought an alpha who respects his mate’s needs isn’t fit to lead. I need to know that won’t happen again.”
Walter met Leyden’s eyes without flinching for almost a full second before dropping his gaze. “It won’t. Not from me or mine. You have my loyalty, Alpha. And Sarah’s. We should have stood up for you yesterday when the grumbling started. We won’t make that mistake again.”
Leyden clasped Walter’s forearm, the traditional gesture of acceptance. “Thank you.”
Sarah’s gaze shifted to Connor. “And we owe you an apology too, Alpha Mate. We made you feel unwelcome in your new pack from day one and that wasn’t right.”
The title hit Connor strange. Alpha Mate. He’d been beta for so long, second to Davis, that the idea of being someone’s first seemed impossible.
“I’m not…” Connor started, then stopped. Through the bond, Leyden sent a wave of calm reassurance. Connor cleared his throat. “I appreciate that.”
Sarah’s smile was genuine. “We’d be honored if you both came to dinner next week. Once things settle down.”
“We’d like that,” Leyden said.
More pack members arrived throughout the morning. Some came alone, others in pairs or small groups. Matthew, the former beta, brought a bottle of expensive whiskey and a gruff declaration of loyalty, although Leyden already trusted the man. Lonnie showed up with Trixie, both of them pale and nervous, apologies tumbling out before they’d even made it through the door.
Connor watched his mate handle each person with the same patient grace. Leyden listened to their concerns, accepted their apologies, and made it clear that while he’d forgiven the doubt, he wouldn’t tolerate another challenge to his authority or his relationship.
Pride swelled in Connor’s chest. Leyden commanded respect not through fear, but through the genuine care he showed his pack.
When a young enforcer named Marcus approached, his movements were tentative, uncertain. He’d been friends with one of the wolves who’d challenged Leyden, though he hadn’t participated in the attack.
“I didn’t know what Rolf was planning,” Marcus said, voice barely above a whisper. “I swear, Alpha. If I’d known, I would have stopped him, or at least said something.”
“I believe you,” Leyden said. “You weren’t involved in the challenge, and you’ve always been loyal. That hasn’t changed.”
Marcus’s shoulders sagged with relief. Then his gaze shifted to Connor, and his face flushed. “I said some things. About you notwanting the alpha. About him deserving someone who’d…” He broke off, jaw working. “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Connor’s spine stiffened. He’d heard variations of this his entire life. Wrong. Different. Not a true wolf… But through the bond, Leyden’s presence steadied him. Not pity. Not awkward reassurance. Just solid, unwavering support.
“Accepted,” Connor managed.
Marcus nodded and backed away, clearly relieved to escape the conversation.
“You okay?” Leyden asked quietly once the young wolf had left.
