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Rylan asks Samuel, “Do you know which wolves are doing this?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Then write their names down. You don’t have to say them here.”

Joshua lifts the pad. “I’ll take them whenever you’re ready.”

Samuel nods.

Rylan looks over the gathering. “Hierarchy is real. Rank exists for a reason. An Omega usually isn’t physically equal to one of my warriors, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But weakness doesn’t make him your servant. If he chooses to help you, respect what he contributes.”

One of the seasoned warriors nods. “Your grandfather used to say the strongest backs carry the heaviest loads.”

“Strongest wolves were first into a fight too,” another adds. “Rank meant you carried more weight. Not that everybody else carried yours.”

Rylan nods. “My great grandfather, Great Elder Raphael, taught me strength comes with responsibility. The stronger you are, the more I expect from you. Not the more you’re entitled to take.”

My wolf immediately nudges Damian. Remember that.

The stronger I am, the more I have to protect.

Yes.

Not boss everybody around.

Exactly.

Damian pauses. Can I boss Darlene around if she’s doing something dangerous?

You can protect your sister. You cannot become her second father.

But I’m older.

By two years.

That’s still older.

I bite back a smile.

A male wolf closer to Rylan raises his hand. “Can an Omega move up?”

Rylan raises an eyebrow. “If he earns it.”

“Even to warrior?”

“Can he complete the training?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then neither do I. That’s why he’d train.”

Laughter breaks out.

Joshua folds his arms. “Your current rank tells us where you are now. It doesn’t tell us where you have to die. Ranks have requirements. Meet them. Earn the position. Keep earning it after you have it.”

Samuel looks between them. “Even me?”

Rylan looks directly at him. “Do you want to be a warrior?”