He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “But this is not the vision I had. Yes, I’ve done things I’m not proud of, made decisions that have made me sick to my stomach.”
Isaac caught the flash of pain in his eyes, and his body twitched with the desire to take it away, but he didn’t move and kept his expression neutral. This was Michael’s moment, his chance to show the remaining members of his pack that he was worthy of their respect, their trust. Even if he didn’t quite believe it himself.
Isaac believed it.
And he’d do everything he could to make them all see it.
That started with letting Michael stand in front of them and do this on his own. To be the alpha he wanted to be.
“But...” Michael said, looking at each of the others in turn. “I’ve also vetoed far worse suggestions than you can imagine. At least by staying as alpha of one of the largest London packs, I had some control over what was made into law. At the start, anyway.”
“And now that you’re no longer alpha?” Logan asked.
“When word gets out, there’ll be unrest. There are a lot of shifters who feel the way I do. The waywedo. Far more than you’d think. There’ll never be a better time to strike at the heart of the Shifter Alliance Party and restore the ruling body to what it should’ve been from the start.”
“And what’s that?”
“A joint leadership of humans and shifters. No forced pack affiliations and no curfew or monitored runs for shifters.” Michael’s jaw tensed, the only outward sign of agitation.
The others wouldn’t notice it, but Isaac did. He remembered the treatment Michael’s brother had received at the hands of the human authorities. It was the catalyst for the start of the shifter rebellion.
And here they were again.
Aaron blew out a breath. “That’s not going to be an easy thing to achieve.”
Michael laughed, sparing a glance over at Isaac. “I never said it would be. But itisnecessary. We can’t live like this any longer.”
Murmurs of agreement echoed around the table, and Isaac noted the pleased look in Michael’s eye.
“I’ve spoken with the Jersey pack. There are places for you over there if you want them.” Michael seemed to hold his breath, but Isaac knew better.
No one sitting around that table had any intention of leaving.
When they all started to speak at once, Michael held up a hand. “It’s only a suggestion. Whatever happens next will be dangerous, and there’s no guarantee we’ll even survive let alone succeed.” He took a deep breath and looked around the table. “There’s no shame if you’ve had enough and want to bow out at this stage. You’ve all done more than your share. So the offer is there if anyone wants it.”
No one spoke.
Isaac grinned, unable to help it. “I told you.” Michael’s eyes shone with pride and Isaac wanted to pull him into a hug, to tell him that he was still an alpha, still had a pack, only a little smaller.
“So we’re doing this then?” Nick asked, intentions clear.
“Yeah.” Logan reached for Cole’s hand where he sat beside him. “We’re in.”
“Me too,” Aaron added.
Smith nodded. “And me.”
Michael smiled at Isaac, the small private smile that Isaac hadn’t seen in years. His stomach fluttered at the reminder. “It looks like we have some planning to do, then.”
* * *
After a late breakfast,Isaac coaxed Michael outside to get some fresh air.
“We need to start planning,” Michael grumbled but followed Isaac out the kitchen door and into the vast gardens surrounding the house.
Sea air greeted them, and Isaac stood looking out into the distance, breathing it in. “I think everyone needs a moment to regroup. This morning’s been a little intense.”
Michael snorted. “A little.” He came to stand next to Isaac, a small smile playing on his lips. “I can see why you love it here.” Gesturing around them with a sigh, he whispered, “So much space. I bet it’s incredible on the full moon.”
