Chapter 3 #3
"What are you getting at, Gregory?"
He sighs, some of the sternness leaving his expression.
"I'm getting at the fact that you're thirty-two years old, unmated, and under increasing pressure from the pack to find a suitable partner.
And now you've encountered a young woman who, by all accounts, is intelligent, brave, and attractive.
I'm concerned you might be confusing your responsibilities as Alpha with something more personal. After your brother?—"
"I'm not confusing anything." The words come out sharper than I intend.
"No?" Gregory leans forward. "Then tell me honestly. Is your interest in this woman purely about pack security? About making sure she doesn't discover our secret or interfere with our territory?"
I meet his eyes, and I know I can't lie. Gregory has known me since I was a child and he's been my closest advisor since I took over as Alpha. He deserves the truth.
"No," I admit quietly. "It's not purely about pack security."
Gregory nods slowly, like this confirms something he already suspected. "I see. And does this woman? Does she know how you feel?"
"I barely know how I feel," I say, running a hand through my hair. "I just met Ava yesterday."
"That doesn't matter, and you know it." His voice is gentle now. "Wolves don't need time to understand what they want. We know, often from the first moment. The question is what you plan to do about it."
"I don't know," I admit. "She's human, Gregory. The pack won't?—"
"The pack won't like it," Gregory finishes for me. "Not after Caleb and Rachel. Two humans so close to leadership will raise concerns about diluting the bloodline, about outsiders knowing our secrets, about whether someone who isn't a wolf can truly understand our ways."
"I know all of this."
"Do you?" He studies me carefully. "Hunter, the pack's trust in you is built on centuries of tradition. Every Alpha before you has mated within the local packs, strengthening our bonds, keeping our secrets safe. If you choose differently..."
"What? They'll challenge me?" There's an edge to my voice now.
"Some might. Marcus's nephew, Garrett, for one.
He's been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself, and he has his uncle's support.
There are others, too. Younger wolves who think the old ways are holding us back, and older wolves who think we're already changing too fast." Gregory's expression is grave.
"I'm not telling you this to threaten you.
I'm telling you because you need to understand what's at stake. "
I'm quiet for a long moment, processing this. I knew there was discontent in the pack—there always is—but I didn't realize it had coalesced around specific challengers.
"What do you think I should do?" I ask finally.
Gregory stands, walking to the window that overlooks the mountains.
"I think you should be very careful. If you're serious about pursuing this woman, you need to be absolutely certain she can handle our world.
That she's worth the risk you'd be taking.
Not just for yourself, but for the entire pack. "
"And if I decide she is worth it?"
He turns back to me, and there's something almost sad in his eyes. "Then you'd better be prepared to fight for her. And to win. Because the pack won't accept a human mate for their Alpha unless you can prove beyond any doubt that she belongs here."
After Gregory leaves, I stand at the window where he stood, looking out at the territory I've sworn to protect. The weight of his words settles heavy on my shoulders.
He's right, of course. He usually is. I can't afford to be reckless about this, can't let my wolf's instincts override my responsibilities as Alpha. The pack's stability depends on their faith in my leadership, and that faith is more fragile than I'd like to admit.
But even knowing all of that, I can't shake the memory of Ava's green eyes, the way she looked at me with curiosity instead of fear, the stubborn set of her jaw when she insisted those were real wolves.
My phone buzzes with a text from Caleb.
Heard Gregory paid you a visit. You okay?
How does everyone know everything in this pack?
Small town, big gossip network. So what did he say?
That I need to be careful. That the pack won't accept a human mate for their Alpha without proof she can handle it.
He's not wrong. But he's also not telling you not to pursue her, is he?
I think about that. Gregory warned me, cautioned me, reminded me of my responsibilities—but he never once told me to walk away.
No. He didn't.
Caleb’s response doesn't take long to pop up on my screen.
Then trust your instincts. And Hunter? For what it's worth, Rachel and I are on your side. Whatever you decide.
Thanks. That means more than you know.
I set my phone down and head upstairs to shower and change. Gregory's right that I need to be careful, need to be certain before I risk everything.
But my wolf is also right. Ava is ours.
Now I just need to figure out how to convince her—and the rest of the pack—that we can make this work.