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“Two,” I say. “And make sure you get the manacles installed in his cell before you start reducing the medication.”
“He’ll be trapped in his human form once we apply the manacles,” she warns. “That’s against code, even for prisoners of war.”
“If he was concerned about being trapped in his human form, he shouldn’t have attacked my people in my territory,” I say, then add as a nod to honoring the rules we agreed to when we became a part of the Human Side shifter community, “And we’ll only keep them on a few days. Just long enough to get him sobered up and talking. If we’re questioned about it, we’ll make it clear he was so violent we had no choice but to restrain him for our own safety.”
“All right,” she says. “As soon as I know more, I’ll give you a window for questioning. I should have an idea how fast the sedatives are clearing his system by tomorrow.”
“Perfect,” I say, squeezing her shoulder. “Thank you, H. I couldn’t do this without you.”
She winces and guilt flickers behind her eyes.
“What?” I ask, my stomach sinking. “Don’t turn on me, Hermione. I’m already at odds with my father. I can’t lose you, too.”
“You’ll never lose me,” she says with a confidence that makes me believe her. “But I…did agree to help Willow with a project.” My brows shoot up, but before I can demand to know what the actual fuck she was thinking, she hurries on, “It’s for the pack. For the women of the pack, in particular. Willow wants to start a focus group to get feedback from female pack members on how we can better address women’s issues. Then she wants to help you appoint a Women’s Issues Advocate to your advisory board.”
I clench my jaw, refusing to say a word while my blood is this hot. I know myself well enough to realize anything I say when I’m this fucking pissed will most likely be something I regret later.
But Hermione knows me well enough to read the rage on my face.
“I understand that you’re angry with her and your dad. And that you hate how out of control you’re feeling right now,” Hermione says, keeping her voice low to avoid attracting the attention of the enforcers on duty. “But it’s a good idea. I don’t care who came up with it. It’s something we need, something that’s been missing for a long time. And I think, if you’ll take a second to reflect, you’ll agree. Think of how many fires we could have put out before they started this past year if we’d had more feedback from female pack members first.”
“I have female advisors on my board,” I grit out. “And I don’t have an advocate for men’s issues, either. When I’m making decisions, it’s always with the entire pack in mind—men, women, and children.”
Hermione nods, but her expression doesn’t soften. “I know you try to do that. But you’re a man, Maxim, and an Alpha. With a man and an Alpha’s point of view. And this entire pack is structured in a way that favors men ascending to power and women taking support positions.” I start to argue, but she cuts in, “Think of how many more male Alphas there are than females. And almost all of our Omegas are female. And there’s a good chance that’s not nature, Maxim, but nurture, our society putting people in what they see as their place. And if that’s where those people want to be—amazing. I don’t have a problem with women in support roles if that’s where they’re most comfortable, but no one has really given them a voice, so we can’t know that for sure. And you can’t expect the three women on your board to pull duty as women’s advocates as well as their other jobs.”
My lips part, but again, she swoops in, “And women can be misogynists too, you know. Deborah has never met a victim she wouldn’t blame for their own problems. Her lack of compassion is a problem.” She sighs and motions to her own chest, “And I drop the ball, too. I’m a gay Alpha. I mean, I was raised by a mother who had a more traditional gender role, but I don’t personally know what it’s like to be mated and have kids in this pack. Or to function here as a Beta or Omega. But I care about my friends who are in those positions and I want to know that we’re serving their needs to the best of our ability. A focus group, where women can just hang out and chat in a safe space, might be able to accomplish that.”
I prop my hands on my hips, teeth grinding together for a long moment.
Finally, Hermione arches a brow. “But if you want me to put a stop to it, I will. You’re my Alpha, my leader, and my first loyalty has always been and will always be to you.”
And just like that…the heat rushes out of me.
Hermione’s right. Willow’s name is at the top of my shitlist at the moment, but that doesn’t mean all of her ideas are shit. And if Hermione is a part of the group, I’ll be the first to know if Willow steps over the line in some way while she’s soliciting feedback.
“All right, help Willow gather a good cross section of women,” I say, “but no troublemakers. You know the people who have a habit of making noise. I already know what they have to say. I want to hear from women who don’t feel comfortable speaking up.”
“Agreed,” Hermione says, her shoulders relaxing as she nods. “I’ve already sent out a few feelers. And Dara’s going to help, too.”
“Good,” I say, the name putting me even more at ease. Dara is loyal to the bone, maybe even more so than Hermione.
Hermione wants what’s best for our pack; Dara wants what’s best for me. I saved her husband’s life and she’s been my devoted ally ever since. She’ll be hyper alert to any actions on Willow’s part that might damage my ability to lead my people.
Damage my ability to lead…
Huh…I wonder…
A troubling thought flits through my head, but I dismiss it almost immediately. Willow is out to secure a place in this pack and has decided appealing to other women is the way to do that. She isn’t deliberately trying to undermine my authority. I don’t know her well, but from the moment we met she’s sought security and safety, not power or position. She’s just…not that kind of shifter, even if she is an Alpha.
Perhaps later I’ll look back on this moment and curse myself for underestimating my little wolf, but I don’t think so.
I think I’m a solid judge of character.
Right?
Chapter Nine
Willow
