Deals and threats

Strange, maybe, but it was rubbing my ego seeing the Viking Alpha now all of a sudden begging for me to throw him a bone. No, that is not the right word, but it felt like it. But all in all, they started showing up for one reason, and one reason only: to make sure their pack, their future Alpha, would be promised to my little daughter.

I know your mother equally understood and was horrified by their behavior. They all acted like you were a rare piece of meat or rock, like you would have no say in your future. It is not that this was uncommon behavior; it is just the first time I experienced it up close. I realized how wrong it was in so many ways. So, eventually, after conferring with your mother and my closest men, I even evolved the elders; I started turning all offers down. I suggested a mateing ball or gathering on equal ground when she was old enough so she could meet them all and decide for herself. Some understood, and others were outright furious that we could toss away such a