Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Hunter
"Hunter, a word?"
Marcus's voice stops me just as Ava and I reach the edge of the clearing where the trail begins. I feel her hand tense in mine, and I have to resist the urge to tell Marcus exactly where he can shove his request for a word.
"Now's not really a good time, Marcus," I say evenly, not letting go of Ava's hand.
"This won't take long." His tone makes it clear this isn't actually a request.
Before I can respond, Rachel appears at Ava's other side, her smile bright and deliberately oblivious to the tension.
"Ava, I was just telling Caleb about this amazing hike I did last month.
You'd probably love it for your research.
Want to come look at the map while Hunter handles whatever this is? "
Caleb materializes beside her, perfectly in sync with his fiancée. "Yeah, and I wanted to get your opinion on some dessert options for the wedding. I'm torn between three different cakes."
Ava glances between them and me, clearly sensing something is off but too polite to push. "Um, sure. That sounds great."
I squeeze her hand before letting go. "I'll just be a minute."
She nods, and I watch as Rachel and Caleb smoothly guide her back toward the cabin, already chatting about trail conditions and buttercream versus fondant. My brother shoots me a look over his shoulder that clearly says "handle this quickly."
I turn to face Marcus, my jaw already tight. Garrett stands just behind his uncle, arms crossed, his expression smug.
"This better be important," I say quietly.
"You're about to tell her." Marcus doesn't phrase it as a question. "About what we are."
"That's my business, Marcus. Not yours."
"It becomes my business when it affects pack security." He steps closer, his voice low but intense. "You've known this woman for barely two weeks, and you're ready to expose us all because of some infatuation?"
My wolf bristles at the dismissive term, and it takes effort to keep my voice level. "It's not infatuation. And I'm not exposing anyone. I'm bringing my mate into the pack, the way it's been done for generations."
"Your mate," Garrett scoffs. "You don't know that. You just want it to be true."
I turn my full attention on him, letting just enough of my Alpha presence bleed through to make him shift uncomfortably. "Careful, Garrett. You're very close to crossing a line."
"He's just saying what we're all thinking," Marcus intervenes, though he has the sense to look wary. "You're making a decision based on emotion or hormones. What if she can't handle it? What if she runs? What if she tries to expose us?"
"She won't."
"You can't know that."
"Yes," I say firmly, "I can. I know her. I trust her. And more importantly, this is my decision to make. I'm the Alpha, Marcus. Or have you forgotten?"
The words hang in the air between us, a clear challenge. Marcus's eyes narrow, and I can see him weighing his next move. He's angry, resentful of being passed over for leadership when Curtis chose me. But he's not stupid enough to challenge me directly. Not yet.
"I haven't forgotten," he says finally. "But being Alpha means putting the pack first. Always. Even when it costs you personally."
"I am putting the pack first. Ava's research could help us identify and stop the contamination that's killing our prey. Her knowledge, her skills, and her connections are all valuable. More valuable than your fear."
"It's not fear," Garrett interjects. "It's common sense. Humans can't be trusted with our secrets. History proves that."
"History proves that some humans can handle the truth," I counter. "Rachel did fine. She's been part of this pack for two years, and the sky hasn't fallen."
"Rachel had Caleb to guide her," Marcus argues. "And she wasn't asking dangerous questions or investigating corporate facilities at the edge of our territory. Your human is different."
"Her name is Ava." My voice drops to a growl.
"And yes, she's different. She's smart, she's brave, and she's not going to stop digging until she has answers.
So I can either control what answers she gets, or I can let her stumble onto the truth in a way that actually would be dangerous. Which would you prefer?"
Marcus is quiet for a moment, and I can see him processing this. He's a good enforcer. Thorough, strategic, and protective of the pack. But he's also rigid, resistant to change, unable to see past potential threats to possible opportunities.
"You have until after the gathering," he says finally. "Technically, it's not over yet."
"Technically, I'm the Alpha and I can make decisions whenever I damn well please.
" I straighten, making it clear this conversation is over.
"I appreciate your concern for pack security.
But this is happening. Tonight. And I expect every member of this pack to respect that decision and welcome Ava when she accepts what we are. "
"If she accepts it," Garrett mutters.
"She will." I meet his eyes steadily. "And when she does, you'll treat her with the respect due to the Alpha's mate. Both of you. Are we clear?"
Garrett looks like he wants to argue, but Marcus puts a hand on his shoulder. "Clear, Alpha."
I nod once and turn away, heading back toward the cabin where I can see Ava standing on the deck with Rachel and Caleb. She's laughing at something Caleb said, and the sound makes my chest tighten.
I'm halfway there when Caleb intercepts me, leaving Rachel to continue entertaining Ava.
"That looked intense," he says quietly.
"Marcus thinks I'm making a mistake."
"Marcus thinks change is always a mistake." Caleb glances back at his fiancée. “Don’t let him get into your head.”
"It feels different."
"Because the stakes are higher. You're the Alpha. Your choices affect everyone." He grips my shoulder. "But you know what? Curtis told me once that the best leaders aren't the ones who never take risks. They're the ones who know which risks are worth taking."
"And you think this is worth it?"
"I think she is." Caleb nods toward Ava. "I've watched you with her today, Hunter. You're different. Happier. More... human, ironically." He smiles slightly. "Rachel thinks Ava is perfect for you. And my fiancée is rarely wrong about these things."
"What if Marcus is right? What if I'm letting my feelings cloud my judgment?"
"Then you're doing exactly what Curtis always wished he'd done more often." Caleb's expression turns serious. "He told you, didn't he? About choosing duty over desire so many times that he forgot what it felt like to choose something just because it made him happy?"
I nod, the memory of that conversation still sharp.
"Don't make his mistakes, brother. Tell her the truth. Give her the choice. Trust that she's strong enough to handle it." He squeezes my shoulder. "And trust yourself. You're a good Alpha. You wouldn't feel this strongly about her if she wasn't meant to be here."
"Thank you," I say quietly.
"That's what brothers are for." He grins. "Now go get your girl and tell her the truth before you lose your nerve."
I laugh despite the tension thrumming through my body. "I'm not going to lose my nerve."
"Good. Because she's worth it, Hunter. Anyone can see that." Caleb's smile fades slightly. "But watch your back with Marcus and Garrett. They're not going to let this go easily."
"I know. But they'll fall in line. They have to."
"Will they though?" Caleb's voice drops. "Garrett's ambitious. And Marcus still resents that Curtis chose you over him. That's a dangerous combination."
"If Garrett wants to challenge me, he's welcome to try."
"I don't think he's strong enough yet, and he knows it. But give him a few more years, give him more time to build alliances with wolves who share Marcus's concerns..." Caleb shakes his head. "Just be careful."
I nod, appreciating the warning even as I push the concern aside. Right now, I need to focus on Ava. On telling her the truth. On hoping that she's everything I believe her to be.
"I should get back to her," I say.
"Go." Caleb gives me a gentle push toward the deck. "And Hunter? For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing. Rachel does too. You've got our full support."
The words mean more than he probably realizes. Having Caleb and Rachel on my side matters, especially when I know I'm about to face opposition from others in the pack.
I make my way back to the deck where Ava is still talking with Rachel. As I approach, Rachel says something that makes Ava laugh, then catches my eye and gives me a subtle nod.
"Ready for that walk?" I ask Ava, offering my hand.
She takes it without hesitation, her fingers threading through mine. "Ready."
Rachel touches Ava's arm gently. "It was really great meeting you. I hope we can grab coffee sometime this week? I'd love to hear more about your research."
"I'd like that," Ava says, and I can tell she means it.
As we head back toward the trail, I catch Rachel's eye one more time. She mouths two words: "She's ready."
I hope she's right.
The gathering sounds fade as we enter the forest, the trail illuminated by moonlight filtering through the canopy. Ava is quiet beside me, her hand warm in mine, and I can feel the tension radiating from her body. She knows something important is coming. How could she not?
I lead her deeper into the woods, following a path I could walk blindfolded. These are my mountains, my territory, and they've never felt more significant than they do right now. Every tree, every stone, every breath of wind carries the weight of what I'm about to do.
"Where are we going?" Ava asks softly.
"There's a clearing about a quarter mile from here. It’s quiet. A good place to talk." A good place to shift without being seen by the humans still at the gathering who don't know what we are.
"Hunter." She stops walking, tugging on my hand to make me turn around. "I need you to know something before we go any further."
My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure she can hear it. "What?"