The Five Howls of Fate

and lined with polished wooden walls, had seen countless lessons-both physical and mental-but today felt different. The ai

was magnetic, drawing their full attention despite their still-sleepy states. Behind him, a massiv

ng, "is not about strength alone. A true alpha's power lies in

ed, smirked. "We get it. The pack matters. But is

it doesn't win loyalty. A strong alpha can protect their pack, but a wise alpha inspires them.

r, raised a hand. "What about respect

actions, your decisions, and the way you treat those you lead. An alpha who rules through fear may h

himed in. "Okay, but what if someone in the pack challenges t

a role. But a strong pack doesn't challenge their alpha out of discontent. They challenge out of trust,

cy? You've taught us to fight, to strategize, and to lead. But how

ows when to fight and when to find common ground. War weakens everyone involved. Peace str

ning, raised his hand slightly. "

motives, and to act accordingly. Trust is a powerful tool, but it must be given carefully. However, diploma

ns thoughtful. The conversation had been surprisin

said with a grin, "if we're nice to ever

at's not what he

of sounds like it. Maybe we should sta

your baking skills?

iving way to their usual teasing banter. Even Ridge chuckled

voice cut through th

ing to him. His tone wasn't angry, but i

ch of them. "An alpha must command respect, even in moments of levity. You can

r, muttered under his breat

ed icy, and his voi

e first to rise, followed by the others. They all stood in a loose line

ice was low, dangerous. "You think leade

ble force in the room. Then, his tone shifted, deep and r

ne

ckled, and they dropped to their knees, their heads bowing against their will. Their wo

thing. Alpha Griffin let the moment stretch, ensuring the lesson sank in. When he finally r

a mix of embarrassment and understan

arned, but it must also be maintained. If you lose control, if you undermine your own author

ut respect goes both ways, doesn't it? You said an alpha must inspire

respects their pack loses their loyalty. Leadership is a bond, a partnership. You guide and pr

not just about strength or st

tening. "A strong alpha doesn't stand a

d diplomacy is just an extension of that. Building con

ren't just for you as individuals. They're for you as a team. You are

humor returning. "So, does th

eyes. "Enough w

them all before we got

mock offense. "I w

ugging at the corner of his lips. "You have m

r echoing in the corridors, Alpha Griffin lingered by the fire.

he said softly, her h

the flames. "They have to be. The

eneath the gravity of what Alpha Griffin had just laid down. Even Forrest, usually the fi

ll m

h

, "if one of us accidentally got stuck in a kitchen cabinet during a futu

step. "You got stuck in

e don't turn that into

t leadership feels like. Confined. Mys

the reason Alpha Gri

a hand dramatically on his chest, "he once tol

at he meant,"

o the pack house, the space filled with warm sunlight and the scent of fr

ached into his back pocket, pulled out a handful of g

sto

flin

ed mid-drink

feet. "Where the hell

orrest said proudly. "Em

m the hall-just in time for a stray sp

oom f

nees with a single growled word stood in s

ng in the air

led over i

on the coffee table, loo

s the calm before

" Forrest sa

ng a sequin from his sleeve,

hallway aesthetics," Forrest

d Luna Lila, who had just entered an

aid calmly, "is going

," she c

any

t. "Unrelated, but would you suppor

e table," Gri

s,

a man who'd been thrown out of family meetings

and muttered something about "cursed spawn,"