* * *
It was strange. As he made his way through the trees in human form, his main concern was a growing list of all the rules he’d already broken.
All the traditions he’d desecrated.
How many things he would have to rebuild should he decide to truly take on the position of Alpha.
Triumph wasn’t the feeling flooding his veins as he finally reached the outskirts of the main compound.
Just sheer exhaustion.
And relief, as Loren’s mind melded with his once again.
43
The second Bill came into view, bloodied and naked, Loren ran to him. Before she could say a word, he caught her waist, holding her close. Pressed against him, she could sense just how exhausted he was. He favored his left side, and blood dripped freely down his arm.
Even so, the absence of Lukka betrayed who’d won their battle.
But the victor didn’t look triumphant, in the slightest. For a moment, Loren rested her head against his shoulder, sensing the intensity of emotions that washed through him. Relief. Regret. Pain. She wished she could take them all away, every last agony. As if aware of the thought, he gently withdrew from her and moved to stand alone, drawing the focus of those nearby.
Already, most of the crowd had migrated toward them, their expressions wary in the moonlight.
Bill faced them all, seemingly to acknowledge every last person. Finally, he inclined his head, and spoke in a voice Loren could only remember him utilizing once before.
The day he wistfully reflected on what pack life meant to him.
“It isn’t with arrogance that I accept the mantle of leading this pack,” he said, letting his voice carry on the wind, “but humility. I once left these lands, believing it was for the greater good. But now, I see the folly and the sheer cowardice in that belief. I can’t expect your loyalty after such a betrayal, but I am here, offering myself to all of you. An Alpha is not a ruthless leader, but a protector. A provider. I will do my best to understand the needs of Black Mountain and respond accordingly.”
He looked beyond the growing circle of people to the few who lingered on the outskirts. Sonia. Micha and Naomi. Even the two men from the Eislander pack who lurked far beyond the rest.
“If you will have me. I will lead.”
Utter silence fell, and Loren tensed. Could the pack still be loyal to Lukka?
The fear barely took root before several among the crowd sank into a crouch. Slowly, others followed in a silent display that said more than any verbal words of loyalty.
The display wasn’t just for show. She could feel it—unwavering fealty being offered by everyone from the men down to the children.
Another pang of regret ripped through her, unlike anything she’d ever felt. Despite Bill’s repeated insistence that she join a pack, it wasn’t until that very moment that she understood exactly what she’d been missing.
This.
Luckily, there was plenty of hope she could experience it, still.
And that was only due to the man whose gaze locked with hers.
44
It was far easier than he would have thought—reintegrating into pack life despite years on the outside. Even the role of an Alpha felt as natural in some ways as breathing.
Which terrified the hell out of him.
There were, of course, old wounds that would be difficult to heal—the rift Lukka had forged between their pack and the Eislanders being one of them. For the time being, he would allow Loren to helm that front, letting her dictate how and when to initiate contact with Loreck.
Another bit of unfinished business was more internal, lingering in the memories he resisted even now. After five years, he could finally face the pain of Emma’s death. She was still gone, but now he had grim closure that allowed him to recall those recollections of her without guilt.
Dwelling wasn’t his aim—he only needed that last goodbye.