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“Does that mean they cannot be challenged?” someone shouts. I seek him out, finding a middle pack member named Harvey. He might be a problem, so I mark him.
“As with any new wolf, challenges are not to be accepted for one year.” That causes an uproar. “Silence!” I shout. “These are our laws, and we will follow them. We are not animals. Jang would not want this for us. He accepted them, he fought at their sides, so do not dishonour your alpha.”
“But he is gone,” Peter protests, and I shoot him a withering glare.
“He might be, but his teachings and desires live on in every single one of us,” I retort.
“They saved us,” Sonia, a very pregnant wolf, calls. “I saw it. Without them, the kids would be dead. I say we give them a chance. We have to start somewhere.”
I silently give her my gratitude as others nod. “I’m not saying you have to be best friends with them, but get to know them like I have,” I plead. I need this to work. I cannot deal with any more heartbreak, and for some fucking reason, my wolf wants them. My eyes go to them, where they sit pale-faced and dejected.“Take Lucien, for example. He became a hunter to protect his brother after his father filled his head with hate. He didn’t do it for fun. He did it for family. Jai’s entire family was murdered by ferals, yet here he stands amongst wolves. Vale . . .” I meet his bright eyes. “Vale saved my life as a pup,” I admit as shock rings through the room. “When my family was killed, I nearly didn’t make it. I was in the tree line, running. I was young and surrounded by hunters, and then there he was, just a kid, yet he stood against his own family and let me go. He saved my life that night and did so again yesterday. Despite what he has done, he is a good person. They all are.” I let that sink in. “I will not dishonour the men who saved me by turning them away when they need us most, nor will I reject our teachings for kindness and acceptance just because it’s hard.”
I look around.
“If anyone has a problem with my ruling, then you may challenge me now.”
White moves to my side, even injured, as do the other betas. They stand with me, and for that, I’m eternally thankful, so much so I want to cry. “No?” When no one stands, I nod. “Good, then go back to eating. We have a lot of work ahead of us, so you’ll need your strength.” Hopping down, I thank White and the others and then walk over to the table where Vale, Lucien, Jai, and Dom sit. Grabbing a tray, I sit with them, even when it is common law that the alpha, even a temporary one, sits with the betas.
“Thank you,” Vale murmurs.
“I only spoke the truth.” I snag his bread. “But I’ll take this as thanks.”
Lucien smiles so brightly, I can’t help but melt a little. I just stood up for them in front of my whole pack. I could have been challenged, yet I can’t seem to care. “So, having a good tour?” I nudge Dom, who grins.
“They are a bunch of fun, so easy to wind up,” he mutters, making me laugh.
I wink at Vale as he growls and turn as Jai thrusts his bread at me too. My eyebrows rise, but I accept it and eat it, knowing his wolf will be offended if I don’t. He hums happily and goes back to eating, his eyes bright. He wears his wolf much closer to the surface than most, that is for sure.
“Quinn.”
I turn my head and swallow, getting to my feet. “Sonia.” I smile as she tugs me into a hug, and I melt despite the awkwardness of her belly.
Kneeling, I lean in and whisper, “Hey, little fellas, are you looking after your mum for me?” I feel a kick, and she laughs.
“They only do that for you,” she says as she glances at the table. “Hi, I’m Sonia. I’m a lawyer in the human world but right now, I’m a breeding machine.” She chuckles as I stand.
“And so beautiful.” I kiss her cheek. “Sonia is one of our most accomplished wolves. Her mate, Patrick, is running the perimeter right now or I’m sure he’d be here growling at everyone.”
The guys look confused, so she takes pity on them as I guide her into a seat. “Mates get very protective during pregnancy, especially in the last few months. I can barely leave our home without him growling at everyone. It’s a wolf thing,” she explains. “So, what are your names?”
I mouth, “Thank you,” to her, knowing she is doing this on purpose. The pack trusts her, and she’s showing them kindness. It makes even more wolves move closer, growing bolder, and I smile widely.
“Vale, Jai, and Lucien,” I introduce, “this is Amanda.” I point to a tall lady who works as a blacksmith on pack land. “She makes all our weapons, but also all our metal for houses and interior. She’s very talented. This is her mate, Lily.” I nod at thesmaller curvy lady with a bright smile and vivid pink hair. “She’s a vet.” I chuckle.
The guys laugh at that. “I suppose that’s a good job to have here,” Vale remarks, making an effort.
“You could say that.” Lily giggles, leaning into Amanda, who wraps her arm around her and kisses her head. “So if you ever need any help, I’m over in the clinic.”
Amanda seems more reserved but nods in welcome, being kind in her own way. For the next half hour, there is a parade of wolves wanting to meet the hunters. I can see it’s exhausting for the guys, but they try their best to keep all the names and faces straight, and when I finally rescue them and we head outside, I hear them muttering.
“Lily, pink hair, mole on her left cheek. Willa, big glasses?—”
I smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. I still get people’s names wrong.”
“They love you,” Vale says seriously as we walk through the trees, giving us some privacy. “Every single person looked at you with reverence, and when they spoke of you, it was all good, gushing things. You are an incredible wolf, Quinn.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, blushing slightly, so I change the subject. “We won’t have much time over the next few days so . . . want to run?” I wiggle my eyebrows as I walk backwards, gripping my top and tugging it off. “As wolves, I mean. We might as well make the most of your change.” I shift and sit back, waiting for them.
Unsurprisingly, Jai is the first to change with barely any effort. His wolf is there, bursting from his clothes, then he trots over to me, rubbing along my side with his muzzle before dropping to his back and exposing his belly to me. Grinning, I rub his belly and turn to look at the others.
