Page 74

Rylan looks back at the gathering. “Difficult decision?”

Joshua chuckles. “You’d have to ask Elias, but considering he packed his shit and left with his mate, I think we know who won.”

Laughter rolls through the male wolves.

Joshua smiles. “Elias is still my brother. Leaving Silver Moon didn’t change that.”

“And leaving this pack didn’t erase where he came from,” Rylan says. “But Joshua’s brother made the same decision most of you would make.”

“Mate,” someone calls immediately.

“Fated mate every time.”

“No question.”

Rylan spreads his hands. “Exactly. All those friends you were trying so damn hard to impress suddenly aren’t enough to keep you here when your mate is telling you she’s going home and asking whether you’re coming with her.”

A warrior laughs. “I’m packing.”

“So think about that now. Don’t sacrifice the wolf you’re becoming for the approval of male wolves you already know you’ll leave behind if your mate needs you somewhere else.”

My wolf rumbles. Prepare before she comes.

Exactly.

Rylan’s gaze moves across the gathering. “The point isn’t that every unmated wolf in Silver Moon has to make the same choices. You have freedom. But freedom and self control belong in the same conversation. Think beyond what feels good right now. Think about the male wolf you want to be when your mate finally stands in front of you.”

Damian looks up at me. Can I do that?

Do what?

Wait for my mate.

My wolf warms instantly. Good pup.

I squeeze Damian’s shoulder. Yes. You can.

Then I will.

You have plenty of time before you need to worry about any of this.

How much?

A lot.

He seems satisfied with that.

Rylan continues. “And those of you already mated, help the wolves coming behind you. Tell them what you wish somebody had told you. Tell them about the mistakes you made. Help them prepare. When one of your friends starts treating his mate like shit, don’t laugh with him about how much she’s nagging.”

A few knowing chuckles move through the gathering.

“Tell him to go home and listen to his damn mate.”

The laughter grows.

“Because if we want shewolves to trust the male wolves of Silver Moon, that starts with giving them male wolves worth trusting.”

My wolf rumbles deeply.