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I shook my head. “Not for long,” I said. “Travis is getting his first injection for his shifter transition today since we’re all here. I would like us to support him and celebrate it, if you all don’t mind.”
“That’s so exciting, Trav!” Paulette squealed. “Is that why you’re not eating?”
“Thank you for pointing that out, Paulette,” Travis said dryly.
Lana leaned forward, curious. “What about the other leadership roles? I mean, everyone here is a shifter except for Marley and Jack. What roles are they going to fill?”
“Oh, I’m not here to be part of the pack,” Jack said. “I’m just here to film a docuseries showing the intricacies of life as a shifter.”
Marley looked up at me in silent question, and I realized I hadn’t really talked to her yet about what pack role she wanted to play. We’d spoken about the dormitories for ousted pack members from other territories, but not about what else she would be doing.
“As of right now, Marley will help me scout sites for a shifter dormitory and headquarters,” I said. “One thing I’ve realized is that a lot of shifters get displaced because of poor matches with their packs, some even because of abuse. Marley wanted to champion the effort to set them up for success if they come to join us.”
“Oh my god, Marley, I love that,” Rosie said sweetly. “You’ve come such a long way, even from when I met you a couple months ago. I’m so excited for you.”
Marley gave a sheepish little smile. “Thank you,” she said. “I want to find more ways to help, too. Maybe I could train humans on how to defend themselves against shifters. I learned a lot about that while Cole and I were away.”
“No shit? Good stuff?” Lana asked.
I nodded. “Good enough to throw me off a few times.”
Houston gave an impressed whistle. “Good job, kiddo. We know you have the skills to teach, so this’ll be a great role for you. And it will be nice for non-shifters to train with someone they feel safe around.”
“That’s what I’m hoping,” Marley said. “I was so lucky to have fallen in with Lana when I escaped my abuser, so I’m glad I can pay it forward.”
“God, you are disgustingly perfect sometimes,” Lana said, but her smile was warm and caring.
I leaned over to kiss the side of Marley’s head before looking around the table again.
“Next, we have the security commander,” I explained. “Their role is to manage pack security and logistics, ensuring the safety of all pack members.”
Farrah nodded. “That makes sense. Safety should always be a priority.”
“I knew you’d think so, which is why I wanted you here,” I said. “Farrah, I was hoping you would take up that role. You’re the one with the most knowledge of what would be needed, the safest methods, sourcing weapons and knowing which ones are legal for us to have, and so on. I know you’re busy running your company, but—”
Farrah smirked. “I’d be happy to do it. Honored, even. I’ll start recruiting some people I trust—with your approval, Alpha.”
My stomach dropped. It was the first time someone had actually called me by the title, at least in this capacity. People back in Georgia had done it to show respect to my grandfather, but to hear it in this context, to hear someone ask for my permission and guidance for the first time? It was almost surreal.
“That would be excellent,” I said, swallowing hard. “Keep me in the loop, and let me know if you need anything.”
“You better get used to that quickly, Alpha,” Farrah teased with a wink. “You’re going to have your hands full very soon. Sooner than you think.”
I nodded, a little flip of nausea rolling through me.
Marley took my hand and kissed it. “It’s going to be wonderful,” she said with a smile. “Don’t worry.”
It was always easier to believe Marley than when I tried to say such words to myself. As ever, I was so grateful for her.
I continued, “Then, we have the political pack liaison. This role is responsible for leading and mediating concerns with law enforcement and government officials that directly concern the pack.”
Houston sighed and raised a hand. “I’m guessing that’s why I’m here.”
“Only if you want to do it,” I said.
“I guess I could do you the favor,” Houston said, giving a dramatic, drawn-out sigh.
“Listen, Houston, if you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to.”
