"I found the people I needed among the mermaids, and it's working well. Your people have the skills I need to crew my expeditions, and we get to build bridges along the way."

Terry didn't look convinced. "I've heard you are forming an official Pack and claiming all of Australia. Where does that leave us?"

"Nothing has changed for you unless you want to change it," I said. "If you want nothing to do with us, I'll sign a treaty with you, establishing territories and rights, and leave you in peace. I didn't claim all of Australia because of you; I claimed it to prevent other Alphas from trying to...