“To the Hunt.”
“To the Hunt,” they repeat.
How could I have been so stupid?My fear... it blinded me.
The fear of losing her. I didn’t have courage. And that’s because I didn’t have her. Jay is my strength. My courage.
My mate.
Without her, I have nothing—I am not this pack’s leader. Between the two of us, it is me who is the weak one because I need her more than she needs me. She left. That’s proof of it.
She doesn’t need anyone and never did. And that’s because she’s never had the luxury of relying on anyone. She may not need me, but there is no Alpha Caleb without Luna Jay.
She is Bloodhound’s leader. She is who we need. And whatever she wants, I will gladly stand behind her and enforce her reign.
My mother clears her throat, indicating it is my time to speak.
I throw out the entire script and speak from the heart. And my heart is Jay.
I stand. “Thank you, Mother.” My eyes meet the crowd, and I clear my throat. “I had a whole speech prepared. I was going to talk about how I would lead you fearlessly with an iron fist, and we would thrive under any weather that comes our way, but I’d be lying.”
Whispers and confused looks are exchanged.
“The truth is, I can’t lead Bloodhound. I am not your leader.”
“Caleb, what’re you doing?” my mother whispers.
“A leader does what is best for their team. And what is best for our pack is to have your alpha mated to their fated. I have led you all to believe I do not have one for fear you all will not receive her well, but that’s a lie. The fact is, I do have one. And out of protection for her, I have kept my love for her a secret. I do... love her. Your leader is fearless. Kind. A force to be reckoned with. And quite frankly, she might be the greatest warrior this realm has ever seen.”
Sporadic cheers from the crowd arise as I list all of the wonderful things about Jay.
“I will be your alpha. But trust that the rogue—Jay—is your Goddess-given leader, your luna and my mate. She is in charge. I am your enforcer. I trust her decisions entirely. Over time, I have full confidence she will show you her loyalty. You will see that she is the one you want on your side.”
I look to my mother, then back to the crowd. “My father ruled with love, not fear. I will not be ruling with the same notion. You may fear me, and you may love my luna. Matter of fact, I know you will. Because with the love I have for her, no amount of praying will save you from me if anything happens to her.”
To my surprise, my pack erupts with cheers and genuine enthusiasm.
Smiling, my mother stands to hug me. “I’m proud of you,” she whispers in my ear.
Tyler also stands, daps me up, then hugs me, patting me on the back. “What about the witches?”
“If we go to war, we go to war, but I want Jay by my side.”
“What about Medein?”
“I’ll have to tell her I don’t choose her—again.” A light bulb goes off, and I pause. My jaw drops. “Wait a second... I didn’t choose her.”
Which means I still have one more card to play.
Holy shit.
My mother takes over, turning to the crowd, wiping a tear from her eye. “I think this calls for another toast. So, if everyone will please raise your glass... I’d like to toast to Bloodhound and the brighter future that lies ahead”—she turns to me, holding her glass in my direction—“with my son and his mate as your leaders.”
I smile and return the gesture.
My mother pivots back to the pack. “To Bloodhound.”
“To Bloodhound,” the pack echoes.
