Love, A Curvy Girl’s Guide (A Curvy Girl’s Guide to Shifters)

Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

T he grand hall of the tribunal felt like a medieval courtroom—a cold, cavernous space with stone walls and too many watchful eyes. Banners from the Iron Claw Pack and the three neighboring packs hung like heavy shadows overhead. The air crackled with tension, thick enough to choke on.

Haley stood beside Ian, her fingers laced tightly with his. She could feel his pulse—strong, steady—but his jaw was clenched hard enough to crack teeth.

At the front of the room, the tribunal sat behind an curved stone table: Alpha Lena of the Riverbend Pack, Alpha Donovan of the Black Ridge Pack, and Alpha Riker of the West Hollow Pack. To the left of the tribunal sat Garrick Thorn, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack. His usual calm authority was marred by the rigid set of his shoulders and the tick in his jaw.

Haley could hardly believe this was really happening.

“The tribunal will come to order,” Alpha Lena announced. Her silver-streaked braid rested over one shoulder, and her eyes were sharp enough to gut them from across the room. “We are here to hear the case of Ian Johnson, a wolf from the Iron Claw Pack, and Haley Wheat, human, who are accused of exposing the existence of werewolves to the human population.”

A growl rumbled through the crowd. Haley’s stomach lurched. There was a big ring in the center of the room. That had to be where the fights were held, if someone happened to lose their case against the tribunal. The idea of Ian having to fight Garrick to the death had Haley feeling faint.

“Alpha Garrick Thorn of the Iron Claw Pack,” Lena continued. “You may present your statement.”

Garrick stood, his expression carefully neutral. “The events in question took place when a social media video posted by Ms. Wheat’s friend, Verity Jones, went viral. The video contained speculative commentary about wolves and referenced Ms. Wheat as the woman’s best friend. However, it did not mention her by name, nor did she mention Ian Johnson’s name.”

Haley’s hands clenched. Damn it, Verity.

“Ms. Wheat and Mr. Johnson were tasked with neutralizing the threat,” Garrick continued. “They confronted Ms. Jones, had her remove the post, and assisted in obtaining and destroying any related media. Ms. Jones willingly signed a nondisclosure agreement. She posted a retraction and explanation that her video was in reference to her favorite paranormal shifter romance series. All evidence from the original video has been eliminated.”

The three alphas exchanged glances. Alpha Donovan leaned forward, his eyes glinting. “And what of the human witness who initially told Ms. Jones about the wolf sighting?”

Haley’s stomach twisted. Aunt Nora.

Ian answered this time, voice low but firm. “Mrs. Scrabbly. She claimed she saw Haley and I kissing, and then she said she saw a big dog that could possibly be a wolf. Verity has assured her aunt that what she thought she’d witnessed was only her imagination.”

“Convenient,” Donovan sneered. “Orchestrated.”

Ian’s fingers twitched in Haley’s grasp. “She saw a shadow in the woods. Nothing more.”

“And your shifting,” Alpha Lena said, her gaze shifting to Ian. “It was your transformation that triggered this?”

Ian’s lips pressed together. “Yes.”

Haley’s heart squeezed. Ian had shifted for the first time that night. He hadn’t even known he was a shifter, let alone that something like this could really happen.

“It was an accident,” Haley said, forcing herself to speak. “Ian is the seventh son of a seventh son, and his family, the Johnsons, just happen to carry the shifting curse from centuries ago. He wasn’t born a shifter and wasn’t trying to show off or break pack law. It was instinctual and something he couldn’t have controlled.”

“And yet,” Alpha Donovan said smoothly, “here we are.”

Bastard. Haley wanted to punch his smug face.

The tribunal conferred in low tones. The seconds dragged like molasses. Ian’s grip on her hand never wavered.

Finally, Alpha Lena spoke. “We have reached a decision.”

Haley’s breath caught.

“You are released from direct culpability for the exposure. Verity Jones acted independently, driven by her aunt’s gossip.”

The relief was dizzying. Haley sagged against Ian, exhaling shakily.

“However,” Lena added, raising her voice over the murmurs, “this could have been catastrophic. As your family does carry the shifting curse and it’s been activated through you, Ian, there is a chance that your brothers may also fall prey to the curse. Do you have any documentation as to who placed this curse upon your line?”

“I don’t know of any,” Ian answered honestly. “But I can ask my dad.”

Lena nodded. “That would be acceptable. You are to bring that information to your Alpha so that we can determine the best way to keep your brothers safe during their transitions should that occasion arise. Also, my judgement is as follows: You will be given a choice.”

Ian’s shoulders went rigid. “What choice?”

Alpha Lena stood, the others following suit. “You may return to the city and resume your former lives, under pack surveillance for the next decade to ensure there are no further incidents.”

Haley’s chest constricted. Back to the city? Back to pretending she didn’t know about the pack, and about Ian’s world? Back to sterile pharmacy aisles and empty nights?

“Or,” Lena said, “you may choose to live within the pack and adopt its responsibilities.” Her gaze softened slightly. “Neela has requested that Ms. Wheat begin training as her successor in the role of pack healer.”

Haley’s mouth fell open. “Neela… wants me?”

“She believes you have a natural aptitude for the work,” Garrick said, his voice softer than usual. “It’s a true honor, Haley.”

The weight of that offer settled heavily on her shoulders. The pack healer was more than a job—it was a lifeline for every wolf in Iron Claw territory.

“And Ian?” Haley asked.

Alpha Riker answered this time. “Ian Johnson is being offered the position of sentinel, working directly under Beta Brayden Moore.”

Ian stiffened. “Sentinel?”

Garrick inclined his head. “Sentinels work with the Beta and enforcers, patrolling borders, liaising with neighboring packs, and assisting the Alpha with security.” He met Ian’s gaze. “It’s a trusted position.”

It was also a clear indication of how deeply the pack hierarchy had changed. Offering Ian a sentinel role was the pack's way of saying: We trust you to protect us—even after what happened.

The tribunal resumed their seats. Alpha Lena’s eyes flicked between them. “You have until the next full moon to decide.”

The room erupted into chatter as the tribunal left the dais. Haley turned to Ian. His face was unreadable, but his hand squeezed hers.

“Well,” she said, voice shaky, “that went better than expected.”

Ian snorted softly. “I’m not dead. So yeah, that’s a win. Wow, that was pretty intense. Are you doing okay?”

They stepped outside into the cool night air. The moon hung low, silvering the landscape. Haley leaned against the railing, the weight of the decision crashing down on her.

“Yeah, just worried about our future and Dad,” she whispered. “How about you?”

Ian stood beside her, silent for a long moment. “I’m grateful that they pardoned us, but I am worried about what the future holds. I get it. The city’s safe. Familiar. What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “I need to go back to my dad. But after he passes, I don’t have a lot holding me there. You have the firehouse, your family, not to mention all of the charity work you do. I understand if you want to stay… I mean, the idea of being a healer, of being needed like that…”

Ian pulled her against him. “Let’s go see your dad first thing tomorrow. We don’t need to make this decision tonight. Besides, we need to talk to my dad and see if he knows more about the curse. It’s one thing to know we have this life ahead of us. But it’s comforting to hear that maybe some of my brothers might be a part of the pack as well. They are loud, smelly, and obnoxious—but I love them.”

Haley’s heart skipped. “Of course you love them. And they love you. Let’s go back and we can decide where to go from there. I love you, Ian.”

He swooped down and swept Haley off her feet, swinging her around and laughing at her squeal of protest. Before she could tear into him, he kissed her soundly. They had been given another chance, and she wasn’t going to do anything to mess that up.