I pause, waiting to see if anyone has any better ideas.
“I think a welcome party would be adequate,” Alpha Duncan says.
“Me too,” Beta Clive adds, his voice soft yet holding a note of confidence in it. He’s one of the few Betas on the island, a warrior I’ve come to respect these last few years.
“Have you claimed her?” Alpha Dirk asks, driving straight to the point. She’s an Omega and he wants to know if she’s eligible.
“Not yet,” I admit, allowing his interruption and providing a truthful answer. This pack is all about trust. I won’t start lying to them now. “Her estrus cycle wasn’t complete. I will wait until her next heat to properly claim her.”
A statement meant to say—she’s mine, hands off.
But there’s an undercurrent to my words that many of them understand. I’m waiting until I know she can properly procreate, something I have to do as Pack Alpha.
Which means they may have a chance with her if her heat cycle doesn’t live up to expectations.
My wolf huffs in annoyance, disagreeing entirely with my decision. It’s not often that we’re at odds with one another, so it makes me decidedly uncomfortable. But I ignore the irritation under my skin and focus on my pack.
“I want her,” I tell them honestly. “My clan does as well. We will claim her during her estrus.” I allow them to hear my confidence in that coming to fruition because I do believe she’s meant to be ours. I just need that final fertility piece to make it a reality.
Which makes me feel like a right arse.
However, I’ve devoted my life to leadership.
I can’t turn my back on it now.
“If anyone wishes to voice a challenge, I’ll entertain it,” I add, aware of how pack hierarchy works when claiming an Omega. “But I do believe I proved myself worthy this morning.”
I look pointedly at Alpha Dirk before meeting the gaze of all those who challenged my clan earlier today. Most of them are fully healed, their wolf genetics having allowed them to regenerate quickly. But a few are in worse shape than others, such as Alpha Kin who is decorated in a myriad of bruises.
Given I broke his neck just over twelve hours ago, I’m honestly surprised he’s awake. It’ll take him another twelve hours or so to fully heal, something his eyes tell me he’s not pleased about.
But he brought it on himself.
And I won’t be apologizing for it.
I will, however, allow him to rest.
Not all Alphas rule through brawn and dominance alone. Some prefer compassion, a trait my father has taught me goes a long way in terms of leadership. However, there are also times when a demonstration of power is required to remind the pack who is in charge.
Which is something I do now.
Every single Alpha averts his eyes as I stare them down, deferring to me as their leader.
After several minutes of this show of authority, I nod. “Good. If that changes, you know how to reach me. Until then, take the next few days to rest and recuperate. I’ll schedule the welcome event for three days from now.”
Several shifters nod in agreement, pleased.
I stay to mingle and answer questions for the next thirty minutes. No one challenges me, but they do have a lot of questions about Clove and Alpha Bryson.
They want to know what I plan to do.
“Right now, nothing,” I tell them. “But vengeance will be ours.”
And soon.
Because tonight has shown me the pack is almost ready, and Clove might be key to finalizing our preparedness.
These wolves need a strong clan to fight behind.
And there’s nothing stronger than a clan who has finally found their Omega. It completes our circle, giving the pack a heart to protect.
Clove may be that heart.
She may become my heart.
Time will tell.
I bid my wolves a good night after thanking them once more for attending, then make my way back to the den and the female waiting inside.
She’s asleep, passed out between Volt and Caius. But they’re both awake, their expressions expectant as I enter the room.
I quietly recap the meeting for them, telling them how the wolves agreed to a welcome party—something I mentioned to them earlier today when I realized Clove was no longer in heat.
They were already aware of everything my father said as well, having vowed to help me with this challenge of discovering Clove’s true identity and deciding how to proceed as a clan.
It’s still very coincidental that she arrived here as a result of the Nantahala Pack. Alpha Bryson is a conniving dick, one who very well could have set all this up.