“With?”
The alphas exchanged glances before Darrel said firmly, “OverthrowingGunner.”
Hector nearly choked. “You guys can’t beserious.”
“I am dead serious,” Darrel said, narrowinghiseyes.
Hector was laughing now, but it was clear from his tone that he didn’t find this situation all that humorous. “Funny. Virgil and I were just talking about what the hell we’re supposed to be doing this morning, and now you guys show up out of the blue saying you need our help?” He added in an angrier voice, “Have you been spyingonus?”
“Actually,” Shane butted in, rolling his eyes, “we didn’tneedto.”
“Yeah, we smelled you about a mile away,” Colin added, scratching the back ofhishead.
Hector’s eyes went wide with horror and embarrassment. He quickly turned around and retreated angrily to the back of the cabin, facing away from the alphas. I felt sympathy for him. He must have been furious and ashamed of himself knowing that the overwhelming scent of his heat had given away ourposition.
But maybe that wasn’t the worst thing in the world. These alphas seemed interested in helping our cause - and we needed all the help wecouldget.
“Let’s talk outside,” I suggested, wanting to leave Hectoralone.
We sat around the remains of the collapsed bonfire. It was close enough to the cabin that Hector could listen in if he wanted to, but still keep a healthy distance from the alphas that were obviously making him feel uncomfortable. I hoped he could warm up to them eventually, especially if they were onourside.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Darrel began, “we need a new leader, and you need the manpower. We should team up and figure out a way to deal with Gunner once andforall.”
I raised a hand. “Wait. A newleader?Who?”
They exchanged glances again, as if I’d said somethingstupid.
“You, obviously,”Shanesaid.
I leaned back, crossing my arms as I took in this information. Admittedly, it was something I’d thought of before, but mostly in passing - nothing as serious as what these men were suggesting. Part of me was in shock that these alphas had already unanimously decided they wanted me as aleader.
“Why?” Iasked.
“You were the highest ranking alpha in our pack underneath Gunner,” Woodrow stated simply. “Almost every alpha knows you and respects you - or at least, they did until the night you deserted. You are intelligent, calm and powerful. It would be a shame not toaskyou.”
I was taken aback by Woodrow’s honesty and kind words. “Thankyou.”
“So, will you do it?” Colinasked.
“This is all very sudden. I’ll have to think about it.” I stopped myself before I added ‘with my mate.’ That was a whole other issue I did not have time to deal withrightnow.
“I hope you will,” Woodrow added. “I realize this is out of the blue, but the situation in Scarlet Ridge will not improve unless something isdonesoon.”
“I just think it’s lucky we found you guys when we did. We’ve been looking for you for months,” Colin said. “I didn’t even know there werethatmany places to hide in thisterritory.”
“What about you all?” I asked. “What have you been doing since that night? Surely you weren’t allowed back intothepack.”
“Of course not,” Shane snapped. “We’ve been living like damn vagabonds, out in the middle of the woods. Not shaving or showering. It fuckingsucks.”
“Too much information,” Colinmuttered.
Shane rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
A door hinge creaked as Hector stepped outside of the cabin, his eyes still wary. He came to sit next to me and avoided looking at any of the alphas, who were - naturally - all curiousabouthim.
“So, you guys have been living out in the wilds too?” Hectormumbled.
“Sure have.” Shane snorted. “Turns out going against Gunner means your life getsruined.”
