I offer her my hand, and she takes it.
Elias stays a few steps behind as we move toward the door. I don’t have to ask if he’s already notified the pack. I can feel the faint pull of their anticipation through the bond that ties wolves to their alpha—one I’ve ignored for far too long.
They’re waiting, curious and cautious.
Rowan grimaces, looking down at her attire. “Are alphas and their mates supposed to dress or act a certain way?”
I keep my smile small. “Wolves don’t follow perfection—they follow strength and authenticity.” I brush my knuckles along hers. “Your only job is to be the confident, stunning woman I know you are.”
She snorts, then promptly covers her mouth. “Sorry. Confident and stunning are two words I’ve never been described as, but you’re right. I know who I am now, and that’s nothing they need to fear.”
I lean in, letting my lips graze her ear. “Fear isn’t always a bad thing. Scaring them is half the fun.”
She shivers, then smirks. “I’ll leave that job to you, Alpha Doom-and-Gloom.” She stretches up and kisses my cheek, quick but warm. “I’ll stick with my humor and kindness. So, as long as none of them try to eat Archie or kill me, we’re good.”
“Hmm, I can’t promise that first one.” I glance at the empty spot on her shoulder. “I’m surprised he’s not with you.”
“I left him with Marius.”
I want to ask about how her time with him this morning went, but I don’t get the chance. We’re already at the front door, and Elias stops in front of us.
“You two ready?” He nods toward outside as he grabs the handle. “There are a dozen of them waiting already.”
Rowan inhales, slow and shaky. Her nerves flicker through the bond—bright and buzzing. But then she squares her shoulders and lifts her chin.
She walks toward the sunlight like she was born for this.
And gods help anyone who doubts her.
When she steps outside, they won’t just see the woman the prophecy warned them about.
They’ll see what I see.
The alpha queen.
Elias opens the door, and a rush of cold air brushes against our faces. Winter is setting in fast at NightShade. My beta moves aside, and Rowan steps beside me, standing tall. The faint tremor in her hand is the only sign that she’s nervous.
A dozen wolves wait in the clearing—men and women of Solara Pack—standing in a loose half-circle. Some bow their heads the second they see me. Some just stare, guarded but interested. Others flick uneasy glances at Rowan, unsure of what to make of her.
That is something I intend to fix first.
“This is Rowan,” I say, my voice carrying easily. “My mate and your alpha female, the luna.”
A ripple of whispers moves through them—mostly disbelief, considering I haven’t been any sort of leader to them for far too long, but that’s another thing I’ll fix. Tensions ease when a few wolves visibly relax, like the world finally makes sense again. Others remain stiff, clearly unsure how to reconcile the rumors they’ve heard with the woman standing beside me.
I take another step forward, keeping Rowan with me, and let my alpha power settle over the clearing like a steady heartbeat.
“I know you’ve heard Rowan is a curse on our kind, but I can assure you that’s the furthest thing from the truth.” I watch their faces, thankful everyone seems to at least be listening. “She’s only known our world for a few weeks, and yet she’s ready to fight it, for all of you. I only ask that you give her time to show you that herself before you cast final judgments.”
What I really want to demand is that they fall in line and bow before her, but I know that’s not the way to win them over. I might be their alpha, but I’m not their god, nor do I intend to be.
Being an asshole is going to have to come second to being a leader.
I expect objections or questions, but there are only nods, so I continue. “There’s something else you need to hear. Something that is long overdue.”
The entire group stills.
“I left this pack over ten years ago,” I say plainly. “And I know exactly what that absence has cost you.”
