Chapter 13 Pack meeting

KILLIAN

I stared at the large screen at the front of the room as Bram gave his report. I kept my expression neutral, but beneath the table, my finger tapped once against my thigh.

The four of us – myself, my Beta, and my two Gammas, Sophia and Dale – were gathered for an emergency meeting in a private room far from earshot of anyone else. Everyone else had been dismissed; this conversation was reserved for my highest-ranking members alone.

“As much as I don’t want to even consider it to be a possibility, I believe there’s a good chance that the Red Canine Pack is gearing up for an ambush,” the older man continued. “I think they may try to invade our territory again.”

Again.

The word settled heavily in the room. When Sophia barged into the hotel and told me there was a Pack emergency, I hadn’t expected this.

Fifteen years ago, the Red Canine Pack had launched an attack against Iron Cliff. Back then, I was only a child, too young to understand the politics behind Pack disputes or the cost of war.

 My father had been Alpha then, and he had led our warriors into a brutal battle that claimed his life, along with the lives of countless Pack members.

Iron Cliff had nearly collapsed after ward. If it hadn’t been for my father’s Beta, the ever-loyal Bram, those in the Pack would have died or become rogues, a fate that many caught up in Pack conflicts eventually suffered.

The possibility of another attack brought back memories I had spent years burying.

“I don’t think this is something we should worry about too much,” Sophia said. “Red Canine had been silent for many years. Only a handful of Red Canine wolves remain. They aren’t the threat they once were.”

Bram’s expression hardened. “Their numbers may have decreased, but that does not make them harmless. Red Canine has always been patient and calculating. Underestimating them is exactly what led to our losses fifteen years ago.”

“Except Iron Cliff is no longer the same Pack we were then,” I interrupted calmly. “And we won’t be unprepared like we were back then.”

I lifted my chin slightly.

“Strengthen patrols along the borders. Increase surveillance. Report anything unusual to me immediately, no matter how insignificant it seems.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Bram replied.

Sophia and Dale nodded.

“I have also informed Alpha Bradley of Moon Ridge,” Bram continued. “He said he’d let his daughter Catherine bring some guards and warriors here next week to help enhance our forces.”

“Oh great.” Sophia muttered under her breath.

Dale gave me a knowing look.

I ignored both of them.

The alliance with Moon Ridge was necessary. Iron Cliff had wealth, technology, and influence, but we had never fully recovered from the last battle. Moon Ridge’s warriors would strengthen our defenses.

Of course, Sophia’s reaction had little to do with the Pack itself.

It was because of Catherine Scott.

My betrothed.

There was nothing romantic about our pairing, nor would there likely ever be. The arrangement existed solely as a political alliance, a symbol of goodwill between our Packs. Romance was never an optimal choice for an Alpha, anyway.

And Catherine was, by every standard, an ideal candidate for Luna.

She was elegant, educated, and utterly composed. She never spoke over others, nor did she insert herself where she didn’t belong.

She wouldn’t challenge my decisions.

She wouldn’t barge in in the middle of an important meeting, drop life-altering news, and then stand there as if I’d wronged her.

She wouldn’t try to hide my son for five years and then accuse me of being an arrogant –

“Alpha?”

Bram’s voice pulled me back to reality.

I realized I had been silent too long.

I sat forward and rested my hands on the table, steepling my fingers.

“Prepare everything for Catherine’s arrival,” I ordered. “And keep the information about Red Canine contained among the four of us until we have proof. There is no reason to create unnecessary panic.”

 “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good.” I glanced at my watch. “You’re all dismissed.”

My Gammas rose to their feet. After ducking their heads in respect, they left the room.

I was about to follow when Bram stopped me.

“May I speak with you alone, Alpha?” he asked. “There are some… personal matters I would like to discuss.”

I arched a brow before sitting back down. “What kind of personal matters?”

Bram hesitated.

“Alpha Bradley wants to hold the wedding ceremony soon,” he said. “That is why he insisted Lady Catherine lead the warriors here personally. And compared to rogues and Red Canine… the greatest threat to our Pack is that you remain without a Luna.”

I fought back a sigh.

The Pack had been pushing me to choose a Luna for years. The Elders brought it up at nearly every meeting.

“An Alpha cannot rule without a Luna by his side.”

“You’re of age. You must take a Luna and create heirs so that Iron Cliff can continue to thrive.”

It was a conversation I was tired of having, but one I could not ignore forever.

“I know,” I exhaled. “I’ll find time to speak with Bradley about it. Catherine is a suitable choice.”

Bram nodded, but he did not move.

After a brief pause, he took a small and met my gaze again.

“I have another confession, Alpha. I also know you’re planning to bring the child into our Pack.”

I stared at him.

“I saw Healer Raphael this morning when I went to pick up medicine for my leg,” he explained. “He mentioned that the child would be coming to him for treatment. I only wonder… if this is truly a wise decision.”

My eyes narrowed slightly.

I knew he wasn’t trying to challenge me.

He had been my father’s trusted Beta. He had sacrificed one of his legs to save me during the battle against Red Canine. His loyalty was never in question.

But that didn’t make his concerns any less frustrating.

I rubbed my temple and spoke as evenly as I could.

“I know what you’re worried about. But the boy is my son. My wolf can scent him. If he is my heir, then he must join the Pack. There is no question about that,” I said. “I’ll be honest with Bradley and Catherine about his existence.”

“That’s not what concerns about,” Bram replied carefully.

“Bradley has had a few heirs out of wedlock. I doubt he’ll object. And Lady Catherine is a reasonable woman. I believe she would accept the child.”

“Then what’s the problem?” I asked.

“The child’s mother,” Bram said. “The human woman.”

My jaw tightened.

“As I learned from Raphael, you plan to let her live in the Pack with the child, don’t you?”

I paused before answering. “I fail to see the issue. Raphael has accepted human patients in his medical center before without problems.”

“But those patients were temporarily,” Bram pointed out. “If I may be honest, Alpha… you seem hesitant when it comes to this woman. I know you may still have feelings for her, but the longer this situation continues, the harder it will be to resolve.”

“I don’t have feelings for her,” I said sharply. “I only care about my son and his livelihood. She isn’t even on my radar.”

“If that is truly the case, then perhaps separation would be the simplest solution,” Bram replied. “The boy is only four. In time, he would adjust. The woman appears to have little power or influence. Removing her from the situation would not be difficult. I could arrange for some warriors to—”

“No,” I interrupted.

“Alpha—”

“I said no,” I repeated, using the Alpha tone I rarely needed with him.

For a moment, surprise flashed across Bram’s face. Then he sighed.

“Killian,” he said, his voice softer now, more like a father than a Beta. “I only hope you understand that there can be no future between a human and a werewolf. You know that better than most.”

I met his gaze without flinching.

“Your worries are unnecessary, Bram,” I said coldly. “I told you. I’m doing this only for my heir. I don’t care about the human woman, and I won’t.”