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They didn’t want to turn into Omegas.
They gathered in front of the remains of the house that had once belonged to Michelle Hughes. We stood in front of it, a wave of anger and sadness bowling over us from all sides. I didn’t blame them. After everything we’d all been through, after everything we’d seen, I understood their fear.
Ox was trying to calm them down, but they weren’t listening.
It wasn’t until Joe Bennett spoke that they quieted.
He was staring off at the lake, a strange look on his face.
He said, “My father… he stood here once. I remember it. Clear as day. He was crying. I found him. He tried to hide it from me, but I found him. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t…. My voice had been stolen from me by a man named Richard Collins.” Joe turned to look out at the crowd. He took a deep breath. “I did the only thing I could. I put my hand on his hip, putting my scent on him. I bared my neck, wanting him to know that no matter what had happened, no matter what I’d gone through, I knew him. My Alpha. My father. And he was shocked by the display, so much so that I think he forgot he was crying. He asked me what I was doing. But I couldn’t answer him. I didn’t know how. So I hugged him.”
Elizabeth wiped her eyes, Carter standing stonily at her side.
“I hugged him,” Joe continued, voice growing louder, an undercurrent of AlphaAlphaAlpha behind his words. “Because I needed him to understand he didn’t have to hide his sadness. That he didn’t have to be tough and brave all the time. That he was my father and it was his job to protect me, but as his son, I loved him no matter who he was or what he was capable of. That we were stronger together than we would ever be apart.” He looked around at the crowd of wolves and witches and the last of our humans. “And I will be strong for you. But I can’t do it alone. I need you. I need all of you. If you’ll have me. If you’ll allow me to be your Alpha, I promise you, I will do everything for you. Because pack is everything.”
At first no one moved.
No one spoke.
We waited.
And then Tony stepped forward—little Tony who had blood on his hands but would never know of it as long as I still drew breath. His mother tried to stop him, but his father grabbed her arm, shaking his head. She didn’t argue.
He looked at all of us, the Bennett pack.
He smiled at me briefly before he looked to Joe.
“Are you a good wolf?” he asked.
“I try,” Joe said quietly. “And if I ever fail, I have people to remind me of who I am.”
“Your pack,” Tony said.
“Yes.”
He reached up and tugged on Joe’s hand, pulling him down, their faces inches apart. Tony touched Joe’s cheek, dimpling his skin. He laughed when Joe snapped at him playfully with a low growl.
And then Tony bared his throat.
Joe blinked rapidly, breathing heavily through his nose.
He trailed his fingers along Tony’s neck, flashing his Alpha-red eyes.
Tony scrunched up his face.
His eyes flickered orange.
The crowd sighed. It sounded like the wind.
“I did it!” Tony crowed.
“You did,” Joe said, smiling warmly. “And I’m so very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Alpha!” He ran back to his parents. They scooped him up in their arms as he laughed.
Joe rose, taking Ox’s hand in his.
He said, “I am Joe Bennett. My father was Thomas Bennett. My grandfather was Abel Bennett. I have their strength within me, and that of all those who came before me. We are pack. I know you’re scared. I know that uncertainty lies ahead. We have much to do. But we’ll do it together because we’re the goddamn Bennett pack, and our song will always be heard.”
