It's no surprise that they zeroed focused on it. I couldn't have sworn on anything but the riverstone. Even if I felt that much of the ceremony surrounding alpha meetings was unnecessary, there was no denying the difficulty of overcoming the absence of a direct link to the moon.

“My pack and I are willing to do a blood oath.”

Not that I could blame them, but there was a pause in conversation. A blood oath was even more binding than the official pledge taken on the riverstone. A curse that could wipe out whole packs and generations spanning continents was supposed to be called upon the breaking of such a thing.

Is there any update on Bert Saw's beta? There was a young older alpha named Grave Guiva.

He was referring to William, who had faithfully served the former leader, and I felt a pang of protectiveness for him, despite the fact that his query was absolutely reasonable. Although I do have a few possible replacements for him at the moment, he is now an integral element of our pack's transformation.

William, to his credit, kept his cool as he stood with his back to the wall. He served as a fantastic beta and deservedly got to retire.

“Have you considered keeping him longer?”

Oh? It caught me off guard. It was customary for the new alpha of a pack to quickly appoint a new beta and set up the remainder of the pack's support structure.

"I am interested in learning why you would suggest that," I remarked gently. William was kind, but I was afraid that if I asked him to hold off on the normal profits, it would make me seem weak to the elders.

"Alexander, you must be rather young."

"Alpha Hek," I tried to correct calmly. Although I normally wouldn't give a hoot about such things, I felt it was important to prove to the guys around me that I, too, belonged in the same group of alpha males. "Right now, I'm twenty-six years old."

"When I was twenty-six," All I could ask for is a return to the knees I had before my forties.

There was a medley of pleasant noises, and I wondered whether I was in for any lumbar problems as a result. That is, of course, if I lived long enough to get them. Because the previous alpha had been destroyed, I had no guarantee of a secure future.

If you want a long-term beta, anybody under the age of 26 will do, and William has the experience to help you and teach them. The safest course of action is to not.

I agreed and added, "I see your reasoning," as if I weren't really relieved. One year of William's assistance would be a big benefit.

As we kept talking, I could see I was beginning to win them over, particularly as we discussed my goals for strengthening our financial situation and increasing our sense of safety. One of our primary responsibilities as wolf shifter leaders was to provide opportunities for and safe havens for our kind. Gathering spots where they could get to know one another and form the connections that were so important in ensuring peace between packs.

A few hundred years ago, having that many wolves all congregated in one place would have led to an interminable, terrible battle. Land disputes were never a laughing matter. Our people had to change because of the overwhelming dominance of humans in every aspect of life.

While our deceased pack leader demonstrated, there were still plenty of disagreements, we tried our best to prevent them.

Alpha Mino Wanson spoke, maybe for the first time since he came. He was a reserved guy whose quiet father had moved to America and became the first Asian alpha in our state. From what I had heard, he was a firm but fair leader. “I am comfortable with your proposals, and I suggest we meet again in three months for an update.”

Everyone around me seemed to nod in accord, and a wave of relief washed over me so strongly that I could have sworn they must have smelled it. Oh well, just let them know I wasn't sad. Taking joy in the fact that we were able to come to an agreement wasn't a show of weakness.

So then, I'll have my people go ahead and grab you some food.

There was again another wave of approval. One thing that could be said about all wolf-shifters was that they were always peckish.

I lost count of time after that, but it was probably at least an hour before the guys finished up and began to depart. A few guests slipped away, but I graciously escorted the rest of them to the valet.

But alas, we were unable to arrive at our destination. After just a few feet outside, I was stopped in my tracks by the same intoxicating aroma. As I turned around, I watched the girl walk out of the entrance and come right over to join us.

For a brief second, the world disappeared and it was just she and I. I

I worked my way past the alphas to get closer to her, certain that she was as enamoured with me as I was with her. My heart pounded in my chest and I yearned to transform into a wolf to escape her grip.

I was about to approach her when she slipped and ran into one of the more seasoned alphas.

I stretched out and grabbed her arm in an effort to keep her upright. Her pretty cheeks flushed as she smiled sheepishly at the older woman. Since I needed her attention, I spoke up and cleared my throat.

“Miss! I hope you're doing okay."

There was a sudden turn of her head in my direction, and then... Even though I didn't know her very well, it looked like a million different emotions flashed over her face at once.

" Sorry, I must have been daydreaming.

"That's all right, sweetie,"

"That's very kind of you!" She gave me an odd look as she rushed away.

It was almost as if she were trying to hide her fear. Regarding someone.

… of me?