Chapter 14 #3
Caleb is quiet for a moment. "You know Marcus isn't going to let this go, right? He's been looking for an excuse to challenge your leadership for years. This might be it."
"He's not strong enough to beat me in a challenge."
"Not yet. But he's building alliances. Garrett is completely loyal to him.
And there are other wolves in the pack who think you're too young, too inexperienced, too willing to take risks.
" Caleb leans forward. "Give him another year, maybe two, and he might be strong enough.
Especially if he can convince enough of the pack that you're compromised by your relationship with Ava. "
"So what am I supposed to do? Push Ava away to appease Marcus?"
"No. But you need to be smart about this.
Bring Ava into the pack properly. Let people get to know her, see what you see in her.
Make it clear that she's not a threat, she's an asset.
" He pauses. "And Hunter, you need to decide what you want.
If she's your mate, claim her. Make it official.
Don't leave it ambiguous for Marcus to exploit. "
"I will. When she's ready."
"Make sure it's not too late when that happens." Caleb stands. "I need to get back to Rachel. But Hunter, for what it's worth, I support you. Whatever you decide about Ava, I'm on your side."
"Thank you. That means a lot."
After Caleb leaves, I sit alone in my study, staring at the portrait of Curtis on the wall. He looks stern and strong and absolutely certain of his authority.
I wish I felt that certain right now.
My phone is in my hand before I fully realize what I'm doing, dialing a number I know by heart.
Curtis answers on the second ring. "Hunter. I was wondering when you'd call."
"You heard about the council meeting already?"
"Gregory stopped by and filled me in on the situation." Curtis's voice is gruff but warm. "Sounds like you've got yourself in a complicated position."
"That's one way to put it." I lean back in my chair. "Marcus is pushing hard. The elders are concerned. And I'm trying to lead the pack while also protecting someone who's become important to me."
"Your mate."
It's not a question. Curtis always could read me better than anyone.
"Yes," I admit. "Though we haven't formally acknowledged the bond yet. She's still processing everything."
Curtis is quiet for a moment, and I can picture him in his house on the edge of town, sitting in his worn leather chair, thinking through his response with the same careful deliberation he brought to every decision as Alpha.
"You know about Sarah," he says finally.
"Of course."
"Then you know why the elders are worried.
Why Marcus is using her as ammunition against you.
" He pauses. "I need you to understand something. Daniel’s biggest mistake with Sarah wasn't falling for a human.
It was letting fear dictate how he handled it.
I watched him kept her separate from the pack, tried to protect her by keeping her isolated, and it backfired spectacularly. "
"So what should I do differently?"
"Bring her in. Fully. Don't hide her from the pack or hide the pack from her.
" Curtis's voice is firm. "Call a full pack meeting.
Have her present the evidence about EnvironTech herself.
Let them see what you see in her. Her intelligence, her dedication, her willingness to help us.
Give them a chance to know her instead of just fearing her. "
"Marcus will fight me on it."
"Marcus fights you on everything. That's not new." I hear Curtis shift, probably standing up. "But here's the thing about pack leadership, Hunter. Sometimes you have to make the bold move instead of the safe one. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts and bet everything that you're right."
"And if I'm wrong?"
"Then you deal with the consequences. But I don't think you're wrong about this girl.
Gregory doesn't either, from what he told me.
And more importantly, your wolf doesn't think you're wrong.
" He pauses. "Trust yourself, Hunter. You're a good Alpha.
Better than I was in some ways. Don't let Marcus or anyone else make you doubt that. "
The words settle something in my chest that's been tight since the council meeting ended.
"Thank you," I say quietly.
"That's what I'm here for. I may have retired, but I'm still part of the pack. Still your mentor." His voice softens. "Call the meeting. Show them who she is. And Hunter? Don't wait too long to claim her properly. The longer you leave it ambiguous, the more ammunition you give Marcus."
"I know. I'm just trying to give her time?—"
"I understand. But time is a luxury you might not have. Not with Marcus circling." Curtis clears his throat. "Now get off the phone and make the call. And bring Ava by for dinner sometime. I'd like to meet the woman who's got you tied up in knots."
We hang up, and I sit for a moment, letting Curtis's advice sink in. He's right. He's always right about these things.
It’s time to call a full pack meeting and share what we’ve learned with all of Willow Creek.