THE ALPHA'S CLAIM
AH'
I gritted my teeth, refusing to make a sound. My father, Alpha Gregor, stood behin
nd commanding. "Why would you make s
The lash marks on my back burned, but I kept my composure. After a mom
ordered. "Exp
e the pain radiating across my back. Meeting his
smaller packs. But the truth is, the larger the pack grows, the harder it becomes to manage. We
ardened, but he
y and Xander's pack. Your plan was to use a marriage alliance to secure their loyalty an
yes narrow
alliance wouldn't change that. Instead, I proposed a mutual aid contract. With the agreement in place, both packs are obligated to support each o
s he leaned back in his chair. "And
realized she could be an asset. Many of our pack members come from other packs-wolves who lost their homes during the pack wars. They've always felt like second-class members,
keptical. "So, you're sacrificing y
id firmly, "then yes. This isn't just about me. I
gaze bore into me, searching for any sign of weakne
f reluctant admiration. "That was a clever move-better than I expected. But
eping my exp
love, come to me. Elara won't dare to refuse if it means keeping peace within
, Fa
pping, but we'll consider the
tly behind me. As I stepped into the hallway, one
re you al
ied briskly. "The
n my injuries. I was
-
looking out over the pack's sprawling territory. The cool
my Beta earlier. "She's bound to attract troubl
onfusion. Why was I so protective of a mate
-not one I was ready to
as strong, resilient, and infuriatingly stubborn. But beneath her guarded exterior, I sensed
," the wolf
tening. I couldn't afford distractions. Not
the image of her storm-gray eyes or the quiet strength she carried.
t vow. Whatever it took, I would protect her. And
. My father's approval might have bought
lt the weight of my choices-and t