A trace of lavender still clung to me. Joanna’s touch still burned on my skin. The night before had been a storm of lust and recklessness that had caught me off guard. I hadn’t intended for it to happen, but the sight of her, the scent of her, the feel of her body pressed against mine… I couldn’t resist.
But now, in the judging light of day, I questioned my actions. I was Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. I had responsibilities and duties: find my mate, strengthen the pack, and secure our future. Not bed a hunter, no matter how enticing she was.
I snarled, the sound echoing through the forest as I picked up speed, my paws pounding against the earth, the wind whipping through my fur. I pushed on harder, faster, trying to outrun the thoughts that plagued me.
As I neared the pack compound, I slowed, shifting back to my human form. I grabbed the clothes I’d stashed at the edge of the tree line, pulling on my sweatpants and a t-shirt.
The murmur of voices carried through the air. The pack was gathering. It was time to face them, to face the consequences of my actions.
I entered the meeting hall, the eyes of my pack members following me as I strode to the head of the room. I could see the concern on their faces, the questions in their eyes. Squaring my shoulders, I stood before them.
Maya marched to stand at my side.
“You’re here today to discuss the future of our kin,” I began, my voice silencing the low chatter. “As you know, our world is changing. There are those among us who believe it’s time to step out of the shadows and reveal ourselves to the humans.”
Murmurs of agreement and dissent rippled through the crowd. I held up a hand, silencing them.
“Trust me, exposure is not in our best interest. We can’t ignore the whispers of an uprising. We must address them, and we need to do so together.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “What happens if the rogues approach our pack? What do we do if one of us shows signs of swaying? This is a serious situation, and we need to consider all options.”
Thomas, one of the pack elders, stood, his eyes narrowing. “And what of the hunter, Marcus? The one rumor has you fighting a fellow alpha for? Is she one of these… options?”
The room fell silent. I could feel their eyes on me—their judgment. I stood tall, my voice unwavering. “Joanna is an ally, an asset in our fight against this uprising. She’s not our enemy.”
Thomas scoffed, his lip curling in disdain. “She’s a hunter, Marcus. She kills our kind. And you expect us to believe she’s an ally? That she can be trusted?”
My growl echoed through the hall. “Shecanbe trusted.”
Omar, my companion in age, cleared his throat. “Lucas claims Ethan trusted her right into his bed. Now the Beta is dead.”
The whispers among the pack grew louder, and I saw Lucas shrinking behind a pillar in the hall.
“Ethan is dead because he betrayed this pack. His loyalty lay with the rogues who want to uproot our lives.”
Crystal, a warrior whose ebony skin was much darker than Joanna’s, stepped forward. “And what of her loyalty, Alpha? Joanna’s…? Trusting her to fight this uprising is one thing. But where does her true allegiance lie? With her hunters? Or with us?”
The proposed dichotomy had taken me aback, and my eyes drifted uncomfortably to Maya. Joanna’sloyaltiesweren’t something we needed to discuss, because my gamma knew the answer as well as I did.
“She… is loyal to what’s right,” I said finally, the words ringing hollow even to my ears.
I didn’t bother filtering through the whispers. Distrust filled their eyes.
“I understand your doubts,” I said, my voice rising above the murmurs. “But Joanna is not like other hunters. She seeks peace. And in this fight, she is on our side.”
The room fell silent once more. I scanned the crowd, meeting each of their gazes, willing them to see the truth in my eyes.
Thomas snorted derisively. “And what of her friends, Marcus? The ones who hate that we merelyexist. You think they won’t convince her to turn on us?”
I growled, my patience wearing thin. “Enough, Thomas. I won’t have you questioning Joanna’s character, thereby questioning mine. We’re in this together, all of us. And if we’re to stand against this uprising, we have to trust each other.”
Again, the whispers. I could see the struggle in their eyes, the battle between their loyalty and the fear. And I knew I had to give them something, some assurance that we were on the right path.
“I’ll speak to Joanna,” I declared, my voice firm. “I’ll ensure she understandsexactlywhat she’s promising us. And together, we’ll face this uprising and come out stronger for it.”
“And what about the fact that you have no luna, Alpha Marcus?” Thomas challenged once more. “You say there’s an uprising. That’s just a fancy word for war. You’re without a mate. And without an heir. Don’t you think you’re making the pack vulnerable?”
Maya seethed, her fingers curling into fists as she advanced toward Thomas. I stepped in front of her, not needing to speak a word, my silent command pulling her back from the edge.
“I know what my duties are, Thomas,” I said, holding the elder’s gaze. “I understand the importance of finding a mate for the sake of the pack’s stability. But it’s also my responsibility to ensure the mate I choose is the right one. Someone who’ll strengthen our pack, not create further divisions. Unlike the few elders who don’t know when to keep their fucking mouths shut.”
