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She glances over at me just as the thought crosses my mind, a flash of apprehension in response to my curiosity. We still have so much to talk about, to discuss, to plan.
We just have to deal with Homestead, then we have our whole lives ahead of us.
Arden sits alone at a table in the corner, picking at the food on her plate. Tonight, it’s something simple—old rations, since we’re on the tail end of our shipment from the city. The food doesn’t taste good, but I wish she would eat it anyway. She’s too skinny and needs the nutrients if she’s going to try going out on her own.
I don’twanther to, of course. But if she does…
“You should talk to them,” Will says, interrupting my thoughts. “Some people have questions about what’s going on.”
“Do you want me to say something?” Tilda asks. “I don’t like it, but I can talk to people one on one.”
“That shouldn’t be necessary,” I say. “Let me.”
I stand up, and the room goes silent as I climb onto the wooden bench underneath me. It creaks slightly, but I’ve done this a million times before, and everyone here knows that when I take this position, it’s time to listen to the Alpha Prime. I settle into my power as Prime, staring around the room and finding the eyes of all those who seem to have doubts.
“I wanted to clarify some things that happened yesterday, and to nip any speculation or rumors in the bud,” I announce to the room. “You may have heard that Tilda here is my mate…and it’s the truth. We’ve decided to make it official, and she’ll be staying here.”
Arden crosses her arms in the corner, her gaze sweeping over the others…but no one says anything. Did people really have so little faith in my ability to keep to my vows? I’m actually shocked there are so few questions.
“If you’ve talked to Tilda, you may have heard about her town of Homestead,” I say. “It’s a former Heavenly Host encampment about two hours north of us, and well…it’s been abandoned by the Angels. They’re in dire straits now, running out of medicine and supplies, but they have something we need: farmland and fresh produce.”
A murmur goes through the crowd. “Why don’t we just take it?” someone yells from the kitchen—Kenji, still standing behind Mateo.
Tilda stiffens.
“Because that’s not who we are,” I say. “Homestead is weak right now, but that doesn’t mean we should take advantage of them. Instead, I want us all to be in a place of strength…which is why we’re going to negotiate with the Homesteaders tomorrow.”
A rumble of concern grows in the pack. “But they’re Crusaders,” Kenji says, speaking again. “Can we really trust them?”
“They’renotCrusaders,” I say. “Tilda said she was only one of a few people who even fought—most are the elderly and ordinary people who have been in Homestead since before the war. And if we could get them on our side, we may be able to extend our reach…and maybe even try to take San Antonio eventually.”
Mateo takes a harsh breath. San Antonio is our hometown—the place where his mate died—and we haven’t been back since. That seems to capture Charlotte’s attention too.
“Homestead is the last stronghold between us and another shield generator for the Celestial Curtain,” I say. “The more sky we leave exposed, the more room there is for Resistance air support. If we can get them on our side, we can keep chipping away at the Host’s control over the south.”
“And then what?” Arden demands. “More mouths to feed, more weak people to protect.”
“They have resources,” Tilda says, surprising me. She doesn’t like speaking in front of groups, but she’s on her feet now. “Guns, ammo, cars, and most importantly,horsesand livestock. Things the pack could use, and that I amhappyto negotiate for.”
“She’s only doing this because she wants to help her sister,” Arden scoffs.
“That’s right, I am,” she says, putting her hands on her hips. “And can any of you say you wouldn’t do the same? I fight for the people I love, and I’ll fight for you all, too.”
That shuts everyone up…but Tilda isn’t done. Before I can stop her, she’s striding over to Arden and standing in front of the blonde, still with a defiant look on her face. Arden stands and looks her in the eye, a snarl on her lips.
“I know you have a problem with me, and that’s okay,” Tilda says. “I’m not an easy person to stomach. But I’ll fight for you, too.”
Silence hangs between the two of them, but I watch with astonishment as Arden’s snarl ebbs into nothing more than a grimace. She lowers her chin, then her eyes…then she sits back down.
My chest swells with pride at my mate—at this reminder of just howrightwe are for each other.
God could not have sent me a better mate.
Tilda turns back toward me and I can’t suppress the fierce, proud smile that bubbles to the surface. I look around at the pack and they all seem to be thinking the same thing: that this woman is one of us.
“Does anyone else have questions?” I say. “We’re happy to answer them, and we won’t leave this room until everyone is heard. I promise you that.”
Grant clears his throat. “Guess I’m just wondering if you need any backup?”
