The music cut off. Conversations died. Every face in the hall turned toward them.
Leyden raised the microphone, voice carrying easily across the space. “Six months ago, Connor became my alpha mate. Some of you had doubts about our unconventional mating. Others questioned whether we could lead effectively together.”
Silence filled the hall. Connor’s fingers tightened around Leyden’s.
“But after a bit of readjustment, you gave us a chance. Gave Connor a chance.” Leyden’s gaze swept the crowd. “And he’s exceeded every expectation. Overhauled our security protocols, strengthened our alliances, protected our borders. More than that, he’s shown this pack what real strength looks like - the courage to be different, to challenge assumptions, to build connections that matter.”
Applause rippled through the hall. Connor’s face heated.
Leyden passed him the microphone. Connor stared at it for a heartbeat before raising it to his lips.
“I came here terrified,” Connor admitted. “Convinced I’d fail, that I’d never fit in, that you’d reject me for being...” He paused,searching for words. “For needing time. For doing intimacy differently than most wolves.”
Heads nodded throughout the crowd. Sam stood near the front, Tyler’s arm around his waist.
“But you became my family. Accepted me exactly as I am. Showed me that strength comes from diversity, from embracing differences instead of forcing everyone into the same mold.” Connor’s voice steadied. “This pack taught me I’m not broken. Just different. And different is exactly what we need.”
The applause came louder this time. Genuine affection radiated from every face.
“Thank you,” Connor finished. “For giving me a home.”
Leyden took the microphone, set it aside, and kissed Connor in front of the entire pack. Connor returned it without hesitation, hearing whoops and cheers echo around them.
They descended from the stage into a sea of well-wishers. Sarah hugged Connor tight. Walter clapped him on the back. Marcus promised to bring by the new patrol reports first thing Monday morning.
A small body slammed into Connor’s legs. He looked down to find Emma, Walter and Sarah’s six-year-old daughter, staring up at him with huge eyes.
“Alpha Mate Connor? Will you play with us?”
Connor blinked. Kids usually avoided him – he was considered too intimidating, too serious.
“Play?”
“Tag!” Emma grabbed his hand, and tugged insistently. “You’re big and fast. You’ll be good at tag!”
Connor glanced at Leyden, who watched with obvious amusement and something deeper. Longing, maybe. Tenderness.
“Sure.” Connor let Emma drag him toward where a cluster of pups waited. “But I warn you - I’m really fast.”
Emma shrieked with delight. The pups scattered, and Connor chased them through the hall, careful to let them dart away at the last second before catching them gently.
Across the room, Leyden stood with Davis, both alphas watching Connor play. The look on Leyden’s face made Connor’s breath catch - pure love, pure adoration, and something else.
Hope.
Connor knew exactly what that look meant.
/~/~/~/~/
The celebration wound down near midnight. Pack members filtered out with final congratulations and promises to see them at Monday’s meeting. Leyden’s parents departed with hugs and another awkward but genuine apology from his father. Davis clapped them both on the shoulder before heading back to his territory.
Finally, the pack house emptied.
Connor and Leyden climbed the stairs to their bedroom, shedding suit jackets along the way. Leyden’s tie came off next, landing on the dresser as they entered their private space.
Connor pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it toward the hamper. “That went better than expected.”
“It did.” Leyden sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands.
