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