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The teenage fox shifts, and a large, very red fox lunges for Zander’s throat.
Unfortunately, foxes are significantly smaller than both humans and wolves.
And Zander is not exactly a small guy.
I see his fist come up like he’s going to whack the juvenile fox on the head. Given the size of Zander’s fist, that’s a very, very bad idea.
So, I step forward, and I whack my friend right between the eyes.
Startled, the juvenile fox drops, and Mia gathers him up. He’s snarling and spitting in her arms, but he doesn’t try to bite her. She’s glaring daggers at Zander.
The crowd is completely still, staring at us like they’re waiting to see what will happen next.
Briony’s words in the car echo in my ears.
You’re the beta.
Well.
Time to do some beta shit, I guess.
I stand forward, partially shifting so my eyes are full wolf as I glare at Zander. “You are a fucking pack enforcer,” I growl at him. “Your job is to protect the members of the pack. You fucking swing on one of them?”
Zander snarls back. “He attacked…”
“He is a juvenile fox shifter, asshole. You’re the one who needed to be less of a dick in this situation. As your beta, I am commanding you to twenty-four-seven guard duty of the fox leash. Until we can bring the pack up to speed with how to integrate our new members, you’re responsible for making sure every single last fucking one of them is happy, healthy, and safe. If I hear from her,” I jab my thumb at Mia, “that you so much as made one of them mildly unhappy, you will be court-martialed. Understood?”
Zander bristles. I can tell that he wants to disagree, to say no. To do anything except say yes.
But then he gives me a curt nod. “Yes, Beta,” he grunts.
He shifts, his clothes shredding off of him in a cloud, then sits, glaring at us.
I turn to everyone else. “Our alpha heard these people ask for help and responded. They are part of our pack now. I will make sure that we do everything in our power to help them be successful pack members. But let me be clear, if you have an issue with them, you take it up with me or with Thorne. Understood?”
There’s a lot of murmuring, but everyone nods.
“Good. Go back to your jobs. Get out of here,” I bark.
The crowd slowly disperses.
Mia lets the juvenile fox down and sighs. “Sorry. He just started shifting. And our dad was the alpha, so… he kind of thinks he’s in charge.”
“But he’s not,” Briony says. “You are.”
“Yeah. Still. It’s not exactly the welcome we were hoping for,” she says softly.
I look around at their group. Seven kids, a couple who are still babies. Mia. The brother. Some elderly foxes.
“Zander is a dick, but he won’t disobey orders,” I say to the group. “He’s going to keep you safe. In a week there’s a town council meeting, and I’d like to introduce you formally as part of the pack, if you still want to join our pack,” I add, looking at Mia.
She studies me, her green eyes serious. “We’ll talk about it,” she says quietly.
Mia nods at Briony, then turns to go back into her cabin.
Briony grabs my hand. “That’s our cue to leave. You’re sure Zander will do what you asked?”
“Yeah. Because if he doesn’t, I’ll fucking beat his ass,” I grunt.
