“He’s just young and stupid.”
“He’s a troublemaker who’s undermined you far too many times already.” Leyden started walking back toward the pack house, Connor falling into step beside him. “That ends today.”
Through the bond, Connor could feel his mate meant every word. No compromise, no negotiation.
“You’re really angry,” Connor observed.
“Furious.” Leyden’s hand found his again, gripping tight. “You’re mine, Connor. My mate, my partner, my equal. Anyone who tries to diminish you answers to me.”
Connor’s throat tightened with emotion. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Which is why I’m about to scare the hell out of our pack.” Leyden squeezed his hand. “Fair warning - I’m not going to be diplomatic about this.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Depends. How do you feel about public declarations?”
Connor groaned. “You know how I hate being the center of attention.”
“Too bad.” Leyden shot him a fierce smile. “Because I’m about to make you the most important person in this entire pack’s life.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The pack hall filled quickly. Word of a mandatory meeting spread fast, and wolves filed in with wary expressions and hushed whispers. Leyden stood at the front with Connor beside him, and through their bond, he felt his mate’s desperate urge to disappear into the background.
That alone made Leyden’s rage burn hotter.
He’d spent weeks watching his clever, wonderful mate question his own worth because these wolves couldn’t keep their fucking mouths shut about things that were none of their business. Every whispered conversation Connor pretended not to hear. Every doubt that crept through their bond when someone looked at them sideways. Every moment Connor felt like he wasn’t enough.
Leyden was done with it.
When the last stragglers entered, Leyden didn’t wait for silence. He let his alpha power roll through the room, pressing down on every wolf present until even the air felt heavy.
“Sit down and shut up.”
The pack obeyed instantly, conversations dying mid-word.
Leyden swept his gaze across the assembled wolves, watching several people flinch. Good. They should be afraid right now.
“Let me be abundantly clear about something,” he began, voice carrying to every corner of the hall. “I am your alpha. Connor is your alpha mate. These are facts, not suggestions. They are not up for debate, discussion, or gossip.”
Someone shifted uncomfortably in their seat. Leyden’s eyes snapped to them.
“Show some respect and sit still.”
The wolf froze.
“For weeks now, certain members of this pack have questioned Connor’s position. Questioned whether he’s fit to stand beside me. Spread rumors about our private life and suggested he’s somehow holding me back from being a ‘proper alpha.” Leyden let his lip curl. “That ends today.”
Through the bond, he felt Connor’s chest tighten, felt his mate’s overwhelming urge to run from all these staring eyes.
Leyden reached for Connor’s hand, gripping tight.I’ve got you. I won’t let them hurt you anymore.
“Connor has proven himself as alpha mate in every way that matters. In the month since he arrived, he’s completely overhauled our security protocols. Every single enforcer application now goes through proper background checks because of him. We discovered one of them - Brad Kellerman - lied on his application. He was a man banished from a previous pack for excessive force. Connor caught it. Not me. Him. Think about the damage a man like that could’ve done to this pack.”
Leyden released Connor’s hand to count on his fingers.
“Connor caught three other applicants with criminal records they tried to hide. He reorganized our patrol schedules to cover gaps that had been missed for years. He established clear office hours, so pack members stop interrupting security work with trivial complaints about fucking tree leaves.” A few wolves had the grace to look embarrassed. “On the other hand, Connor spent an hour counseling a seventeen-year-old kid who thought there was something wrong with him, giving that boy hope for his future. And he does all of this while fielding an endless stream of petty grievances that waste his time. Every single day since Connor arrived, he’s been invested in helping this pack.”
