I had no idea how, but he and Thea had surely been related. And now, a few weeks after that shit went down, a member of the Devon pack was asking to join our pack. Call me a cynic, but I didn’t trust her. Her apparent meekness could be an elaborate act.
She could be a spy,I pointed out to Esme.
Esme sniffed.She doesn’t look like a spy; she looks like a punching bag.There was pride in her voice at successfully using the new vernacular I’d been teaching her.
Appearances can be deceptive.
Not to a wolf. If it limps, kill it.
Or take it to a vet,I suggested drily.
‘The Devon pack.’ I said aloud. ‘Well then. What is it about the Home Counties that makes you want to move away from the beautiful beaches you’ve got down there?’ I kept my tone light; best to keep things friendly. And Devon really is a beautiful place.
She gave me a timid, hopeful smile. ‘My friend Elena moved to your pack a couple of years ago and we’ve kept in touch. I know that she feels like she’s made a new home here. I want that opportunity, too.’
‘What is it about your current home that makes you want to leave?’
Thea looked down and away, and seemed to shrink even more into herself. ‘Home? It’s not home; it’s just where I live. Being a part of the Devon pack is … difficult.’
Once she started, she couldn’t contain her words. ‘Pack life is full on. All members are expected to present themselves at the residence every day. We have to account for everything we’ve done, and show how we’ve contributed positively towards pack life. Tourneys are held regularly to reassess our position in the pack, so you never feel secure in your ranking. Everything is temporary.’
The words were bursting out of her. ‘I’m ready for a change, and Elena suggested that I might find one here. Was she wrong?’ She lifted her eyes to meet mine. There was challenge in her gaze but also desperation. It was the first hint of a spine I’d seen in her so far. She really wanted out.
Free movement is an important aspect of pack life, but there are all sorts of protocols involved in accepting a transfer. If it’s been approved by the alpha of the wolf’s existing pack, that alpha would normally reach out before the request is made. They’d give you the rundown of the wolf’s skillset, their pros and cons, and tell you why the wolf wanted to leave.
Elena had purportedly come to us because she was looking for a mate and it was hard to find one in a pack where everyone considered you a sibling. That was a good explanation for a transfer and one that had few political ramifications.
The Devon pack alpha hadn’t reached out to me, so I assumed Thea was here without their knowledge or consent. Accepting her would probably rock some boat or other. I’ve only been alpha for a couple of months, and I barely know which river I’m on, let alone which boat I should be in. I try to navigate the rules as best I can. But looking at the desperation in Thea’s eyes, it was hard to say no. If she was acting, she deserved an Oscar.
Taking her in would be incredibly difficult for me and for the pack, but I couldn’t say no outright. I had to give her a chance – no matter how small.
I gave her an encouraging smile. ‘I’m more than willing to consider your transfer request, but obviously I’ll need to discuss it with my second.’ I nodded at Greg, who was still studiously watching the monitors as if he weren’t listening to every single word. ‘And I’ll need to talk to Elena, to see whether she thinks that you’d fit in with the current pack dynamic. We’re due to hold a tourney to reassess pack positions, so it may be that we can slot you in during that – but we all need to think carefully first.’
All hints of defiance had left her eyes and her shoulders had slumped; she was still expecting a rejection.
‘This isn’t a no.’ I emphasised. ‘This is a “let me think about it”. In the meantime, you’re more than welcome to stay at the mansion and get to know us. The transfer is a two-way street, and you may decide that this particular pack isn’t the one for you. Meet us, hang out with us, and see what you think. We’ll reassess in a couple of days’ time. There are some guest rooms in the dormitory section of the mansion. You’re more than welcome to stay for the next couple of days while we both work out where we go from here.’
She recognised the dismissal and stood up to leave. The hope in her eyes was faint, but present. I hoped I wouldn’t regret putting it there. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly. ‘I really appreciate the opportunity.’
‘Manners, help her with her bags and see her to one of the spare rooms,’ I suggested. ‘When she’s settled in, pop back and let’s have a chat.’
‘Yes, alpha,’ he snapped out, pushing back from the chair and gesturing for her to follow him.
The door swung shut behind them. Things would undoubtedly be more difficult if we had her here – for a start, her surname was a big red flag. Dammit, I should have asked what her relationship was with Beckett Frost, the Devon pack alpha. Beckett had been Ace’s brother. Well, I guessed we’d get to that soon enough. I hoped sincerely that she was a distant cousin twice removed, or something like that.
Esme piped up,She’s been growled at too many times. She needs a place of security.
And you think here should be it?
Yes,she said simply.We can grow our pack. We have many packmates of mating age, and increasing the pool of potential mates ensures that the pack stays strong.
It surprised me that even wolves had an understanding of interbreeding leading to poor offspring, but she wasn’t wrong. Fresh blood, particularly blood that wasn’t related, would inject new life in the pack. Even so, I couldn’t help feeling concerned that Thea’s purpose in coming here wasn’t quite as it seemed. What if she was coming to track down Ace?
I didn’t get that vibe, though, and Ididhave a good bullshit barometer – albeit I had nothing on Jess.
Lauren and Ace, two members of the Devon pack, had come here as council members. Ostensibly, they were interviewing me about my less-than-usual transition into a werewolf. They had completed their investigations fairly quickly, but then they’d hung around because a pack mate of ours was attacked and killed. It transpired thattheywere the ones doing the attacking and killing, and they’d remained at the mansion to search for blackmail material that they were being threatened with.
As alpha, Esme and I had meted out vigilante justice. I can’t let people go around killing my packmates because my pack would overthrow me and kill me. Werewolves demand a strong leader, and I’m determined to provide them with one. If I don’t, someone will killmeand take my place. It’s a strong motivator to toughen up, and fast.