For Red and Giuliana, I would.
“Yes. I don’t need a pack. It’s not my claim. But … Romano?”
“Man, I’m mated to the leader of the Trinity Council. If this were a dick measuring contest, I’d win. You can become Dominic’s second as Capo. I’d still be his Capo for his soldiers already within the pack. The position recognizes your Alpha status but keeps you within the fold.”
Pasquale hadn’t thought it was possible to find a way for his pack to be protected and be used together. He struggled to believe in the fragile hope blossoming in his heart.
“Is it,” he cleared his throat. “Is it possible?”
“If you accept, yes. Your Alpha will only have to submit to mine. But I will not treat you like your father did. I am not here to brow-beat you into following me. It’s your choice. We won’t force you, and the wolves will adjust to your position.”
Pasquale swallowed. His sister was with Giuliana, and he hadn’t been able to do more than thank her. But now … this was more than he’d ever believed was possible.
Would you like to stay with your pack, if it can be done?
Her answer was instantaneous. I’m going where you go, mate. We will figure it out.
His decision was made. She would give it up for him, and the emotion filling his chest choked him. He never thought he’d find a mate or find a way to have his Alpha be accepted. Now, he’d found both.
Pasquale breathed deeply, pulling acceptance and change into his lungs. “Yes. I accept.”
“Romano, get the cup and call the others who will bear witness.”
Romano moved off, grabbing his phone, and Dominic stepped up to Pasquale. “I am not an easy man, and I will expect much from you. Giuliana is your mate, but she is my Enforcer. That will not change.”
“You are asking me to stand aside if you have to punish her.”
“I am not asking you,” Dominic returned.
Pasquale gritted his teeth, knowing this was a test, a first mark for his Alpha to bow to another. Any wolf would struggle with his mate being hurt, and there was no way he’d be able to stop that urge to fight for her from coming out.
“I’m not going to sit to the side and let you break my mate, but I understand law.”
“That’s good enough. No man will ask another to ignore their instincts, but you have to be able to follow when necessary. I will give you this, if she is to be punished, you will be alerted to the extent. Agreed?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Dominic’s eyes glittered. “Good. And you will only address me as such when we are in front of others. When we are alone, we are equals.”
Pasquale swallowed, unable to say a word. He hadn’t believed, hadn’t hoped things would turn out the way they had. He’d been terrified he’d lose everything, that he’d be forced to take his pack into uncertain lands and be left astray. He’d believed he’d never have the mate of his heart standing beside him and would be cursed to know who she was but never claim her.
Things were not what he’d ever believed them to be.
His father had destroyed him in more ways than Pasquale had realized. Primo forced Pasquale to see shadows and the worst in everything.
Maybe …
Things may have not turned out the way they had if he’d come to Dominic in the first place, if he’d explained.
Pasquale looked at Dominic. “I won’t hide anything from you again.”
“Of that, I’m certain.”
Doors opened, and wolves piled in dressed in suits, their guns gleaming at their sides. They stood tall, their heads canted to the side as they greeted Dominic. Each assumed a place surrounding Dominic and Pasquale, Romano coming to close the circle behind his Alpha.
“Today, we gain another brother. He stands before you in acceptance. Let him take the rite.”
Dominic took the golden cup from Romano and held it in front of him. “Do you swear on death to uphold our laws? To not betray us? To not work against us?”
