Page 55 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

At night, those thoughts fill my dreams. I’m completely distracted but, again, no one questions it after everything that happened.

My inner circle keeps asking if I need anything, which gets annoying. I know I probably seem depressed, but two days of that is more than enough. I’m not an invalid. I don’t need anyone to wait on me. I lead them. They don’t handle me.

On the third day, I call a meeting. I know that there are whispers about what happened when I announced my engagement and about how my supposed fiancé disappeared.

The pack wants to know what’s going on. They probably want to know if I’m really getting married or not. I don’t know if I have an answer for that.

Either way, they need to know that I am their leader and ready to take on the mantle of power passed on to me by my father. Imay be depressed, but I’m not going to let that get in the way of my duties to my pack.

I have to show them that I can handle it. A leader who’s falling apart isn’t a leader they can trust.

We’re at a pack member’s house, one of my father’s lieutenants. He won’t be mine, but he doesn’t know that yet. He still thinks he has more power, like he did with my father in charge. I instruct him to gather everyone outside.

When I enter the yard, they’re milling around, chatting, and acting like this is any other gathering. But it’s more than that.

My father taught me about the ways and powers of an Alpha from the time I was in junior high. I know what to do here.

I make my way to the front of the group, take a deep breath, and expand my chest as large as I can. Then, I begin to assert my will over every wolf there.

I let my gaze fall on them as I search their faces. One by one, they pay attention. I don’t have to say a word to have their respect.

That’s the power of an Alpha. I spot the Cauleys in the crowd. Raymond’s eyes are steadfast and stern. Melissa has obviously been crying.

Fuck.

I can deal with that later. The outcome of this meeting will affect all of it. A few of the elders are growling. I stare them down and assert my power until they stop. My voice booms over the crowd, but there’s no need for amplification.

“You’re all here today to pledge your loyalty to a new pack. I will not be the same Alpha as my father. Changes will be made and you all have the option to fall in line, leave, or challenge my status as your leader. Today is your chance to make that decision.”

There are murmurs through the crowd, as I imagined there would be. I don’t give any specifics about the changes I plan to make, but I think some of them have an idea based on what happened at Violet’s wedding.

I’m doing this while she’s away on purpose. I don’t want her to get hurt if there are challenges.

A few of the elders are off whispering in their own group. These are the ones I thought would resist the most, my father’s inner circle. I don’t believe they wanted me to choose them as my advisors as well.

They have to know I’d pick my own people. Still, they’re in that huddle like they’re planning something. Maybe they have been since hearing of my father’s death.

Since no one knew this would be such an announcement, they have a couple of grills out. Some of their staff bring food out andget the grills started. No one would have told them that things changed in the past few minutes.

The elders are done talking. One of them is making his way over to me. I suppose he’ll speak for the group.

I’ve known this man all my life as someone who teaches others, who my father looked up to and looked to for advice. Now I’m giving him orders. The fact of it is completely surreal.

He has no idea of the internal conflict going on in my mind right now. All he knows is that he has something to say, and he’s determined to get it out.

“Speak, elder,” I tell him. I’m not sure he would’ve waited for my permission if I hadn’t.

“We want to know what you plan to change regarding the exile laws, assuming you’re still engaged to be married. Where is your fiancé?”

I knew this would come up but I’m still at a loss how to respond.

“I haven’t changed any laws,” I reply. “The exile laws allow for an Alpha to marry anyone of their choosing, and if they are in exile, that is exonerated. Heather Cauley is my mate. I’m well within my rights to make her my wife as well.”

“That’s a loophole you’re exploiting.”

“Says who? You? Didn’t you help write these laws? What do you want to do about it?”

My claws come out with my hands still at my sides. I feel my wolf raging to get out, wanting to put this man in his place. But that won’t be productive. Instead, I hold my wolf back and remain silent, staring down the elder in front of me.

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