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The pack hall buzzed with conversation when Leyden and Connor arrived at six forty-five. Wolves filled the rows of chairs, some standing along the walls. Leyden scanned the crowd – it was a good turnout. Nearly everyone was already here, and the stragglers would arrive by seven.
Matthew approached, his weathered face creased with approval. “Good call on the formal presentation. The pack needed this.”
“Thanks for setting everything up.”
“Of course.” Matthew glanced at Connor, who stood slightly behind Leyden, tension radiating through his shoulders. “You’ll do fine, Alpha Mate. Just remember - they already accepted you this morning. This is just putting ceremony to what’s already done.”
Connor nodded, but through the bond, Leyden felt his mate’s anxiety spike. Connor hated being the center of attention. Hated public speaking. By being a second to Davis for years, he’d worked from the shadows, handling the behind-the-scenes security that kept a pack running. Davis was the voice of that pack.
Now Leyden was asking him to stand in front of a hundred wolves and claim his place at the top of the hierarchy.
“Hey.” Leyden caught Connor’s hand, uncaring who saw the gesture. “You don’t have to do much talking. I’ll handle most of it.”
Relief flickered through the bond. “That’s probably a good thing. I’m useless at speeches.”
“I know. That’s why I’m the pretty face who talks, and you’re the brilliant mind who actually gets shit done.” Leyden squeezed his hand. “Just stand with me and look intimidating. You’re excellent at that.”
A small smile tugged at Connor’s mouth. “Intimidating I can do.”
“Damn right you can.”
At seven exactly, Leyden led Connor to the front of the hall and raised his hand. Silence fell immediately, the pack responding to his alpha authority.
“Thank you all for coming.” Leyden let his gaze sweep across the assembled wolves, meeting eyes, acknowledging familiar faces. “I know most of you visited the pack house this morning, pledging your loyalty after yesterday’s challenge. But a pack is not built on individual conversations. A pack is built on structure, on hierarchy, on everyone understanding their place and their purpose.”
He paused, letting that settle.
“A pack is also not a democracy. I’ve always tried to be fair, to listen to your concerns, to take your needs into account when making decisions. That won’t change. But at the end of the day, I am your alpha, and my word is law. Anyone who cannot accept that has no place in my pack.”
Several wolves shifted in their seats. Good. They needed the reminder.
“Yesterday, eight enforcers decided they knew better than I did about who I should claim and how I should run my personal life. They paid the price for that arrogance.” Leyden let steel enter his voice. “I will not tolerate another challenge to my authority or my judgment. Especially not when it comes to my mate.”
He turned slightly, extending his hand to Connor. His mate took it, stepping forward to stand beside Leyden. The claiming bite on Connor’s neck was visible, and Leyden knew the one on his own throat showed just as clearly.
“This is Connor, my fated mate and your alpha mate. Some of you know him as beta of the Davis pack. That changes now. Connor has accepted my claim and agreed to lead this pack alongside me.”
Through the bond, Leyden felt Connor’s discomfort intensify as every eye in the room focused on him. But his mate stood tall, shoulders back, his expression controlled. To anyone who didn’t know him, Connor looked completely at ease.
Leyden knew better. Their bond was really useful that way.
“As alpha mate, Connor will share authority over this pack. His orders carry the same weight as mine. He’ll be handling pack security, background checks for new members, and coordinating with neighboring packs on territorial matters.” Leyden kept talking, drawing attention back to himself and giving Connor breathing room. “He’ll also be working with our enforcers on training rotations and defense protocols. Those of you who’ve seen him fight know he’s more than qualified.”
Marcus called out from the crowd, “If you didn’t see what he did yesterday, then you missed out. The alpha mate can handle himself in a fight.”
“Exactly.” Leyden smiled. “Connor fights like a focused maniac, thinks like a strategist, and I’m hoping he has more patience than I do when it comes to the daily bullshit that running a pack involves. You’re damn lucky to have him.”
Pride flickered through the bond, mixed with embarrassment. Clearly, Connor didn’t handle compliments well, either.
“Alpha Mate Connor will be moving into the pack house with me permanently. We’ll be making decisions together, running pack business together, and building this pack’s future together. I expect you to show him the same respect and loyalty you show me.”
Leyden’s gaze hardened. “And if anyone has a problem with my mate, with his role in this pack, or with how our relationship works, you can bring it to me directly. Not behind closed doors. Not in whispered conversations. To my face. Understood?”
Chorused agreements echoed through the hall.
“Good.” Leyden gentled his tone. “Now, I know transitions are hard. Connor’s taking on a lot of responsibility, and you’re all adjusting to having a new alpha mate. But I have complete confidence in him, and I expect you to give him the chance to prove himself. Which, knowing Connor, won’t take long.”
