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“While I’m immensely proud of Reagan and feel there is no other woman more qualified to be your mate, we’re talking about my daughter here. Her future. Her life.”
Oh, how well I knew what it was like for those to be on the line.
“I understand why you and Holden chose to move forward with this Contention, and I have to say, I respect you for being willing to step up, Garrett. You’ve shown that the packs matter to you more than anything else.”
“They do. I’ve dedicated my life to my work.” That was nothing less than the truth, and it rang true in my voice.
Markus nodded. “I might have a solution that works for all of us.”
My gaze sharpened on his face. What was he saying?
“Reagan isn’t any more in love with you than you are with her. And let’s be honest here, this was never about love to begin with. It never has been. The Contention is all about power—making alliances between the regional and North American packs.”
And that alliance had been stolen from Markus along with his eldest daughter. All part of the way our world worked, but Sydnee had been second only to Kayden. Markus wasn’t just motivated politically—this was personal.
“That’s why I want you to know that I’m choosing Reagan. The Pacific Northwest pack will become permanent allies.”
Markus shook his head. “You misunderstand what I’m saying, Garrett.”
I drew my brows together, confused.
“While I want that alliance, what I want more is for my daughter to be happy. With Sydnee, she would have been content with a loveless marriage. But Reagan… she’s softer. She puts her pack above herself, but that doesn’t mean that deep down she doesn’t want to marry for love.” Markus sighed, running a hand over his jaw.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not following.”
“I’m trying to say that you have the power here to do anything you want, Garrett. You can choose Reagan as your mate… or not.”
Somehow, I didn’t think it was that simple, and I said as much. “What are you suggesting—that I call off the Contention and choose Jessica?”
God, the idea of that made my heart leap, but there was no way that’s what he meant. Power meant too much to Markus, even if there was another unseen side to him that put his family first.
“Not exactly. What I propose is the creation of a new council position. One that holds the same power as a member of your inner circle—or of your mate.”
I took a moment for that to sink in.
“Let me just be clear here,” I said. “You don’t care if I choose your daughter for my mate. All you want is to ensure she has the same amount of power she would if I did.”
“Exactly.” Markus smiled for the first time since we’d stepped outside. “I love my mate, Garrett. And believe it or not, I think love is a powerful thing. I’m not willing for my daughter to be mated to a man who loves another woman. Not even if that man is the North American beta.”
I blew out a breath, turning to rest my hands on the deck railing. My mind was reeling. This was the last thing I would have expected Markus to say.
“But what about the Contention?” I asked. “All the expectations.”
Markus shrugged. “That’s a problem for you and Holden to figure out. Create a new position for Reagan then do what you like.”
Power and alliances were all that mattered to him in the end. It felt too good to be true. Markus—the one alpha who we wanted on our side above all others—was giving me permission to call the whole thing off as long as his daughter got the power he was after.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense, though. The Contention had been the solution, but it clearly wasn’t the only solution.
I turned to him. “Is Reagan aware of what you’re telling me?”
“Considering she’s the one who came to me with this plan, I’d say so.”
It seemed that Reagan didn’t want to be in a political marriage any more than I did, though she’d been willing to do what it took to secure her position. She would be an excellent addition to the council.
“I have to speak with Holden,” I said aloud as the thought came to me.
“Of course,” Markus said, but the way he said it was as if it were already a done deal.
