I took a deep breath. Then a second. Surry, I noted, was similarly shaken. She stood at attention with her jaw set and her calves tightened, as though ready to leap at any target I named. But at the same time I noticed that she had placed herself slightly between myself and Rufias. Just by a hair – but the meaning of it was still clear. Instinct, perhaps, was telling her to protect a fellow packmate from underserved harm, whether it be him or I. I honestly could have sobbed with gratitude. And no small amount of pride. This was, after all, the pack I wanted to build. A family, where loyalty always ran both ways. Tando could never have understood that. I’d never wished for the role of Alpha… But now, for the first time, I found myself grateful that it had fallen to me. This was a role I could proudly steward for as long as was necessary.
Last Updated : 2021-08-31 Read more