Chapter 0012
“We all know how much Stephanie’s passing impacted you,” Beta Robert continues. “But after six years, the whispers from pack members are getting louder and louder. They are worried about whether you are.
going to be capable of taking over the pack. If those whispers get any louder, you may face a challenge from one or even multiple other wolves for the position. Or worse, alphas from other packs may sense
your weakness and initiate a war to take over the West Mountain Pack and expand their territories.”
“We are one of the strongest packs in the area. We are not weak. We would easily defeat any pack that
dares to challenge us,” I protest.
“You are correct. We are not weak. And it is my responsibility to make sure we do not become that way,”
my father answers. “Beta Robert is absolutely correct about the whispers and the risks. Given the
existing circumstances, we cannot possibly allow you to take over the pack by yourself. Doing so would
only worsen the perception that you are weak. When you take over the pack, you need to do so not only
with a luna by your side, but also with one that is strong and fully trained.”
I take a deep breath, struggling to remain calm.
“I still do not understand why we are talking about this today. Today should be about Stephanie. Not
about getting another she–wolf in my bed.”
Stephanie’s mother rolls her eyes. “We are not talking about getting a she–wolf in your bed,” she says.
bitterly. “We are fully aware of the she–wolves that have made their way there on their own the past few
years.
I let out a frustrated laugh and put my head in my hands. If she only knew. If only if any of them knew.
Thankfully, my father decides to avoid that line of discussion, “Son, there is a reason that this needs to
be announced today. You are not the only one that needs to be sold on the idea of a chosen mate. The
pack needs time to adjust and accept the idea. Pack members have worshipped Stephanie for
years, and
they have placed her on a metaphorical pedestal. We need the pack members to believe that Stephanie
would be in support of you moving forward. The best way to convince them of that is to incorporate her
as much as we can.”
I take another long sip of water, and swallow it. I know this is about to get a whole lot worse.
“Incorporate her how?” I ask finially.
“You and Beta Robert will make the announcement together. You will tell the
on taking a chosen mate within the next year,” my mother says gently.
“And if I do not find someone who is acceptable?”
ok that you are cu
1/2
“Then Beta Robert and his wife will choose for you,” my mother responds.
I gasp. “What? Why?”
“One more thing.” my mother adds, ignoring my question. “Your firstborn child… if it is a girl, she will be
named Stephanie. If it is a boy, he will be named Stephan.”
I drag my hands down my face and look around the room. “This is insane. No, you are insane. All of
you. How can any of you think that any of this is a good idea?”
My father stands up and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I am going to ignore the disrespect, Son, because I know this is a lot for you to take in. I called you here this early so that you could have a few hours to process all of this. Go for a run, go punch a punching bag, go do whatever you need to do. But by 11 am, I expect you to be on the stage with the rest of us, prepared to make the announcement.”
“And if I am not?”
“I will denounce your status as my heir, and appoint Nick in your place.”
The shock of my father’s words hit me hard. This cannot be happening. Nick is my best friend. He is a
strong, capable wolf. But he does not have alpha blood. I am the proper heir to this pack. I have worked
and trained my whole life for that role.
I have to get out of here, now.
“Let’s go to the waterfall,” Luke says, speaking up for the first time since the meeting started.
