Chapter 8 #2
"If you trust her with that information," Arthur says.
"Which requires telling her what we are, why we care, why this matters beyond simple environmental concern.
You're back to the same problem, Hunter.
Either you tell her the truth and risk everything, or you keep her at a distance and lose the potential benefits of her help. "
I sink back into my chair, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. They're right. Every path forward involves risk, involves potential disaster.
"What about the rogue?" I ask, changing tactics. "Whoever wrote that journal has been watching us, documenting our territory. He's still out there. That's a more immediate threat than Ava asking questions."
"We're tracking him," Marcus says. "But he's smart, stays ahead of our patrols. Almost like he knows our patterns."
"Because he's been observing them for months," I mutter. "The journal goes back three months. He's had plenty of time to learn how we operate."
"Which brings us back to the central problem," Gregory says. "We have a rogue wolf who knows too much, and a human researcher who's learning too much. Both are threats to our security. And you're personally invested in protecting one of them."
"I'm invested in protecting both our security and innocent people from being harmed," I correct. "There's a difference."
"Is there?" Arthur challenges. "Because from where we sit, it looks like you're protecting Dr. Sinclair at the expense of pack safety."
The accusation stings because there's truth in it. I am prioritizing Ava. But not at the expense of the pack. I'm trying to find a way to protect both.
"I need to think about this," I say finally. "Give me time to figure out the right approach."
"Time is something we might not have," Marcus warns. "The rogue's journal is out there, in her possession. The rogue himself is still circling our territory. And EnvironTech is still poisoning our land. How much longer can we afford to wait while you figure things out?"
"As long as it takes to do this right," I say firmly. "I won't rush into a decision that affects the entire pack. But I also won't abandon Ava or let her walk into danger alone. We find a middle path, something that protects both her and us."
The elders exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Gregory nods.
"We'll give you until after the gathering this weekend," he says. "Let her meet the pack, see how she fits in with the community. After that, you need to make a decision. Either bring her in fully, or let her go. We can't exist in this limbo indefinitely."
It's more time than I expected them to give me, and I accept it gratefully. "Agreed. Thank you."
The meeting breaks up slowly, the elders filing out with various levels of concern still evident on their faces. Marcus and Garrett are the last to leave, and I catch Marcus's arm before he can go.
"Keep Garrett away from Ava," I say quietly. "He’s been sniffing around places he shouldn’t be. He goes near her, and we're going to have a problem."
Marcus's jaw tightens. "He's young and eager. He thinks he's protecting the pack."
"He's a liability," I correct. "And if he can't follow orders, he doesn't belong on enforcement duty. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Marcus pulls his arm free and leaves without another word, Garrett trailing behind him like a sullen shadow.
When they're gone, I slump in my chair and close my eyes. The weight of leadership has never felt heavier than it does right now.
There’s a knock on the door and Caleb walks in carrying two cups of coffee.
"Rough morning?" he asks, handing me one of the cups.
"You could say that." I take a sip of the strong, hot brew. "The elders want me to make a choice. Either tell Ava everything and bring her into the pack, or let her finish her research and leave."
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to tell her the truth," I admit. "I'm tired of lying to her, tired of watching her piece together clues and not being able to confirm what she's already starting to suspect. She deserves honesty."
"But?" Caleb prompts, settling into the chair across from me.
"But I'm terrified of what happens after. What if she can't handle it? What if she runs, or worse, tries to expose us? The pack would never forgive me. And Garrett would challenge me so fast—" I break off, shaking my head.
"Garrett's an ambitious punk," Caleb says dismissively. "He's not strong enough to beat you, and he knows it. That's why he's trying to undermine you politically instead."
"He's got a point though. I am compromised. I am letting my feelings for Ava affect my judgment."
"Or," Caleb counters, "you're showing the kind of leadership some of the other alphas never quite managed. You're trying to find a way to honor both your responsibilities to the pack and your personal needs. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Tell that to the elders."
"The elders are cautious because they've seen too many things go wrong. But they've also seen things go right." Caleb leans forward. "Rachel and I worked out. She learned the truth, she joined the pack, and now she's family. It's not impossible, Hunter. It's just hard."
"Rachel had you to guide her through it. You had some time to build a relationship. I've known Ava for barely over a week. And let’s be honest, you’re not the alpha. It adds another layer of responsibility."
"And yet you're already sure about her," Caleb observes. "The mate bond doesn't run on convenient timelines, brother. If she's yours, she's yours."
I don't deny it. Can't deny it, really. Every instinct I have screams that Ava is meant to be mine, that she belongs here, with me, with the pack.
"I'm going to tell her," I say, the decision crystallizing as I speak. "After the gathering. I'll let her meet everyone, see how she fits in, and then I'll tell her everything."
"And if she can't handle it?"
"Then I'll deal with it. But I have to try, Caleb. I can't keep lying to her. It's killing me."
Caleb nods, understanding in his eyes. "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice. From what you’ve told me about her, Ava strikes me as someone who can handle the truth, especially if it comes with answers to all the questions she's been asking."
"I hope you're right." I finish my beer and stand. "Because if you're wrong, I'm about to destroy everything Curtis built. And I'm not sure I can live with that."
"Curtis built a strong pack," Caleb says. "Strong enough to weather one Alpha making a choice based on love instead of fear. Have faith in what he left us. Have faith in yourself."
After Caleb leaves, I sit in my study for a long time, staring at the portrait of Curtis that hangs on the wall. He looks stern in the painting, authoritative, every inch the Alpha who led this pack for forty years.
But I remember the man behind the authority. The way he'd doubted himself, struggled with decisions, carried the weight of every wolf's safety on his shoulders.
He told me once, near the end, that his biggest regret was letting fear dictate too many of his choices. That he'd chosen duty over desire so many times that he'd forgotten what it felt like to choose something just because it made him happy.
I won't make that mistake.
Saturday, I'll introduce Ava to the pack. And then I'll tell her the truth. About what we are, what I am, and why I haven't been able to stay away from her since the moment we met.
Whatever happens after that, at least I'll know I tried.
At least I'll know I chose love over fear.
Even if it costs me everything.