Chapter 2 - Luke
The scent of Dad’s authority still lingers in the old boathouse, even though I’m the Alpha now.
I think it always will, for the most part. Old cedar planks and murky salt water tangle with it, and I can only hope that one day, mine will exist here just as naturally.
My father used to stand at the far end of the structure on the main level, above the few boats still floating beneath its cover, while everyone else gathered around in whatever free space they could find.
The pack listened because they trusted him, and they chose him.
He never asked them to imagine a world different from the one they always knew, and it made his time as Alpha that much easier.
Now, I stand in his place while he hangs by my siblings, watching with that usual scrutiny. The others are still deciding whether to choose me now, even though my succession has already been decided.
It was only a matter of time before I returned and took up the role myself.
Gazing around the space slowly, I take them all in.
As the Alpha’s son, I’ve been familiar with them my entire life, and I’ve always known the pressure of standing before a crowd, regardless of how difficult it can be at times, good or bad.
They always expected greatness from me, but now, they want me to deliver on it.
The remaining elders stand along the left side with my father, brother, and sister nearby, and everyone else fills in the gaps. The sound of nocturnal life continues around us, muted from within the walls of the boathouse.
I pull in a discreet breath and stand my ground. “I’ll say it again, and as many times as I need to. The ban on magic is outdated.”
As expected, a wave of irritation ripples through the group. They aren’t surprised by my words, as they’ve been said enough times now. Though there’s a difference between hearing and understanding.
“We’ve had this discussion many times over,” one of the elders states, likely hoping that will be enough to end it.
“Yes, we have. Yet it hasn’t gotten us anywhere.”
At this rate, we will continue to have it until something changes. Until someone outside my siblings and me finally grasps the need for change.
“Perhaps that is because the current way of things still works,” Elder Jonah says, eyes steady and calm.
“It might’ve worked before, but that isn’t the case anymore,” I return, firm but not angry.
I don’t raise my voice or slam anything, not when that’s what they’d expect from a young Alpha with too much to prove. They’ve already been pushing back against me, and I refuse to hand that to them.
“The humans both here and on the mainland are always evolving. Other packs evolve too, as they should,” I tell them, not just addressing Jonah. “We’re one of the last few groups clinging to laws based on fear.”
That word hits harder than intended, evoking several frowns from the pack.
Magic was outlawed some time ago when old Alphas were questioned, and their authority was in peril. While it seems like ancient history, some of the oldest members still remember those stories when they were fresh, and they’ve yet to let them go.
According to them, magic brings ruin and corruption. It attracts attention from humans, it undermines an Alpha’s control, and it maims and kills in unnatural ways.
I’ve heard those sentiments since I was a young boy, and while I believed them once, I’ve also seen what it can do with my own eyes. I’ve seen the warmth and security it can bring when harnessed by the right hands.
“The sea gives as it takes,” Elder Jonah says with his arms folded in front of himself. “Magic was not given from her waters…it is a foreign thing.”
Of course…there it is.
Traditions and superstitions always seem to have a way of stunting progress, all because new ideas don’t fit into that specially made box.
“The sea is not the only natural force around us,” I say, despite knowing that ruffles more than enough feathers. “We don’t know where magic comes from, yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad.”
More wolves mutter among themselves, not seeming convinced.
“Give us an instance where magic hasn’t destroyed more than it has fixed,” someone says, obviously intending it as a verbal trap.
“Caleb and Lila Graves,” I return without missing a beat. “Lila and their daughter are magic users, and they saved their family with it. It had a significant part in their survival. You all know that.”
The others speak again, saying nothing of significance, as it all blends together.
Caleb’s fight with Dawson Voss set a precedent. Dawson lost publicly, and not without humiliation, and even if Caleb brought him down with his jaws, he had help. Without Lila and her abilities, there’s a chance she and Astrid wouldn’t have made it out of that place unscathed in the first place.
Elder Jonah releases a breath and waves his hand vaguely. “Those were exceptional circumstances.”
“Exceptional or not, it’s the truth.”
As the others fall silent, I press on. “Is our ability to shift not close to magic itself? Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, some bloodlines carry it, and ignoring that won’t erase it.
It just means we’re ostracizing those who do, and leaving them untrained.
In my eyes, it makes more sense to understand it than to let it get out of hand. ”
“And what happens when humans witness this magic being used?” Jonah proposes. “It’s precarious enough not letting them see our kind.”
“The humans won’t know unless we’re careless, or if we let the likes of Dawson Voss get his hands on magic users,” I utter, firmer this time.
Immediately, the air shifts at the mention of him.
“Dawson lost to Caleb that night, and as we know, his authority has weakened. I have the feeling he’ll be looking for new angles, leverage, or someone else to blame.
He’s unstable, which means we need to be rational about all of this. ”
I catch the way my brother, Isaac, glances from the pack to me. “You think he’ll move on to neighboring packs?”
Pulling in a breath, I rub at my chin. “He couldn’t maintain his footing in Briarwood, and if he means to keep his position, he’ll need to find another strategy. So yes, I wouldn’t put it past him to try something.”
Even if the others doubt me on this, I trust my instincts. They haven’t failed me yet.
“That brings me to the next order of business,” I begin, looking around again. “We’re implementing formal border checks and increased patrol frequency. Dawson has been licking his wounds for several weeks now, and he’ll likely be on the move again.”
Many of the young wolves groan or huff their irritation at the mention of it, well aware of what that entails.
“That’s unnecessary,” one of them mumbles, just loud enough for me to catch beneath all the noise.
“It’s precaution,” I correct.
“There are many people and wolves constantly moving in and out of Coldreach. We have never needed border checks, as it would be inefficient,” another elder adds.
“Then we’ll use trial and error until we can fine-tune it and make the operation efficient,” I resolve, arms crossed over my chest. “I’m not willing to take any chances when it comes to the Vosses. I’ll take first watch tonight until we establish a proper rotation.”
A bigger murmur catches me off guard, and my brows furrow in question.
“You’re Alpha,” one of the older wolves says stiffly, as if it’s a ridiculous notion. “You shouldn’t be out there—”
“I will be exactly where the pack needs me. Not sitting responsibilities out,” I return, not leaving any room for discussion on the matter. “If anyone has a problem with that, then by all means, sign up for the rotation.”
At that, I earn a few nods, at least. While they don’t like my talks of magic or the implication that tradition isn’t sacred around here, they can’t fault vigilance or my instincts to keep the pack safe.
It’s not truly victory yet, but it’s progress, and I’ll take it while I can.
Eventually, the meeting starts to wane as every topic is addressed, and when they’re dismissed, the other wolves start to file out of the boathouse.
For a long moment, I stand at the edge of the platform overlooking the boats as they bob languidly in the water, letting the weight of my situation sink in.
I haven’t been Alpha long, but it has been long enough for me to feel a notable shift in the pack dynamics.
I’m their leader, and they respect that, but it doesn’t stop them from finding the smallest issues to poke at, trying to determine weak points.
For as loyal as they can be, subordinates don’t like the smell of hesitation or doubt.
Regardless of how many times I reaffirm my position to myself, it still doesn’t feel entirely real.
“You handled that surprisingly well.”
My eyes dart over to my sister, Eve, as she walks over with Isaac in tow. Dad lingers just outside the boathouse while he speaks to a few of the elders, gaze cold.
“Define ‘well’,” I murmur, catching her pleasant look despite the tension still present in the air around us.
“They hate the thought of magic,” Isaac says bluntly.
“They hate change,” Eve states. “But they’ll come around eventually.”
“Will they?”
She doesn’t hesitate, and instead, she gives me an obvious look. “Yes, they will. They’re still feeling you out, just like you’re still getting used to everything.”
“You’d think knowing me my entire life would make them a little less apprehensive of everything I say.”
“You know what it’s like…not every Alpha lives up to the image they create for themselves.”
Isaac smirks to himself. “And after being the golden child, you have a very big image to live up to.”
Even with the pressure weighing on me, their faith in me never wavers, and it helps keep my head on straight. I let my lips pull as I put a hand on each shoulder. “When did you two get so wise?”
I receive matching expressions that say really? before they even have the chance to say it out loud, and I chuckle.