Chapter 14 #2
"Maybe. But I trust my judgment. And I trust her.
" I look around the room, meeting each elder's eyes in turn.
"Ava Sinclair has proven herself repeatedly.
She's brilliant, brave, and committed to helping us.
Yes, I care about her. Yes, I want her to stay.
But that doesn't make me a bad Alpha. It makes me a wolf who's found someone worth fighting for. "
"And if you have to choose?" Marcus asks bluntly. "Between her and the pack? What then?"
The question is designed to corner me, to force me into a position where any answer undermines my authority.
"I won't have to choose," I say firmly. "Because Ava understands what the pack means to me. She's not asking me to choose, and I'm not asking her to accept less than she deserves. We'll find a way to make this work that protects both her and the pack."
"That's a pretty sentiment," Garrett says. "But what if she decides pack life isn't for her? What if she gets scared or overwhelmed or just wants to go back to her normal life? Then what?"
"Then we deal with it. Together. Like we've dealt with every challenge that's come up." I move back to my desk, planting my hands on the surface. "Look, I understand your concerns. I do. But I'm not Daniel, and Ava isn't Sarah.”
"How?" Marcus challenges. "How is it different?"
"Because Ava knew the risks when she chose to stay. She knew what she was getting into, and she chose it anyway. Because she's not running from pack life. She's running toward it. Because—" I break off, realizing I'm about to say more than I'm ready to share in council.
Gregory is watching me with knowing eyes. "Because she's your mate."
The words fall into silence. Even Marcus looks shocked.
"I didn't say that," I hedge.
"You didn't have to." Gregory stands, his old joints creaking slightly. "Everyone in this room can see it, Hunter. The way you talk about her, the way you defend her, the way your wolf responds when anyone questions her. She's your mate, whether you've formally acknowledged it or not."
"And if she is?" I ask, throwing down the gauntlet. "Does that change anything? Does it make my judgment any more or less sound?"
"It makes it understandable," Arthur says quietly. "A wolf protecting his mate is following the most fundamental instinct we have. No one can fault you for that."
"But it also means you need to be more careful, not less," Robert adds. "The mate bond is powerful, Hunter. It can cloud judgment, make you take risks you shouldn't. Daniel learned that with Sarah."
"And I've learned from his mistakes," I insist. "I'm not going to make the same errors he did. I'm not going to let fear or doubt or other people's concerns dictate how I handle this."
Marcus stands, his expression hard. "Then you're a fool. Daniel at least had the wisdom to listen to counsel. You're so convinced you know better than everyone else that you can't see the danger right in front of you."
"Marcus," Gregory warns.
"No. Someone needs to say it." Marcus turns to face the other elders.
"The pack saw what happened with Daniel and Sarah.
We all heard about how it nearly destroyed him, nearly tore the pack apart.
And now we're supposed to just trust that Hunter won't make the same mistakes? That his human mate will be different?"
"She is different," Caleb speaks up from his position by the window. "I've spent time with Ava. Rachel has too. She's stronger than you think, Marcus. And she's not asking Hunter to choose between her and the pack. She's trying to help the pack."
"For now," Garrett mutters. "Until she gets scared. Until she realizes what she's signed up for."
"Enough." I let my Alpha authority fill the word, fill the room. "This conversation is over. I've heard your concerns, and I understand them. But my decision stands. Ava stays. She helps with the EnvironTech investigation. And how our relationship develops from there is between us."
"And if the council disagrees?" Marcus asks, his voice dangerous.
"Then the council can call for a vote of no confidence," I say bluntly. "You can challenge my leadership, Marcus. Right here, right now. If you think you can lead this pack better than I can, step up and say so."
The room goes dead silent. Everyone knows what I'm doing. I’m forcing Marcus to either back down or issue a formal challenge. It's a dangerous gamble, but I'm tired of dancing around the issue.
Marcus's jaw works, his wolf clearly pushing him to accept the challenge. But he's not stupid. He knows he's not strong enough to beat me, not yet. And a failed challenge would cost him everything.
"I'm not challenging your leadership," he says finally. "I'm questioning your judgment."
"Noted. Your objection is on the record." I soften my tone slightly. "Marcus, I know you're concerned about the pack. I appreciate that. But I need you to trust that I'm thinking about the same things you are. I'm not being reckless. I'm being strategic."
"Strategic," he repeats, disbelief clear in his voice. "Is that what you're calling it?"
Before I can respond, Gregory intervenes. "I think we've said enough on this topic for now. Let's move on to the practical matters. Hunter, you said Dr. Sinclair is submitting her EPA report today?"
I grab onto the lifeline gratefully. "Yes. And Rachel is reaching out to her contacts in investigative journalism. We should have multiple agencies looking into EnvironTech within the week."
We spend the next hour discussing logistics, security measures, contingency plans if EnvironTech realizes they're being investigated. It's productive, professional, and allows the tension to ease somewhat.
But I can feel Marcus's resentment simmering beneath the surface. And Garrett's calculating looks tell me he's already planning his next move.
The meeting breaks up around noon. The elders file out, offering various levels of support and concern. Marcus and Garrett leave without another word, which is somehow more worrying than if they'd continued arguing.
Caleb stays behind, helping me clean up the coffee cups and pastry plates.
"That went well," he says with heavy sarcasm.
"Could have been worse."
"How? Marcus practically accused you of betraying the pack. Garrett implied you're thinking with the wrong anatomy. And Gregory basically announced to everyone that Ava is your mate before you were ready to claim her."
I sink into my desk chair, suddenly exhausted. "Yeah. That about sums it up."
Caleb settles into the chair across from me, the one Curtis used to occupy during our private conversations. "Hunter, I'm going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."
"Okay."
"Is Ava your mate?"
I'm quiet for a long moment, staring at the ceiling. "Yes."
"Does she know?"
I shake my head. "She's still processing everything. The werewolf revelation, the pack dynamics, the EnvironTech situation. I didn't want to add more pressure."
"Does your wolf accept that reasoning?"
"My wolf wants to claim her immediately and damn the consequences." I laugh without humor. "But I'm trying to be the responsible Alpha here. Give her time to adjust."
"And if she doesn’t?"
The question makes my chest ache. "Then I deal with it. Somehow."