Page 120 of Savage Games

"He'll live," Jax says dryly."Though he's a terrible patient.Won't sit still long enough for me to do my job properly."

"I'm right here," I remind him, squeezing Naomi's hand."And I'm fine."

Jax snorts, applying a fresh bandage with slightly more pressure than necessary."Fine, is relative."

I roll my eyes but don't argue.The truth is, I barely feel the pain.My wolf is too self satisfied, too triumphant, to register such minor discomfort.We won.We protected what's ours.

"The bite will heal completely within a day or two," Jax explains to Naomi."It's clean, and his body is already fighting any infection.But he needs rest.The wolfsbane isn't completely out of his system yet."

Naomi nods, her expression serious as she absorbs this information."I'll make sure he rests," she promises, giving me a stern look that says she means business.

I have to hide my smile at the idea of my mate thinking she can force me to do anything I don't want to do.But the truth is, I'd do just about anything she asked.

The door opens again, and Blake enters, suit immaculate, hair perfect, his tall frame filling the small room.

"Brad has been remanded to council custody," he begins, his voice measured."He'll be transported to the northern holding facility this evening."

"And then?"Naomi asks, her voice steadier than I expected.

"A formal trial, once all evidence has been gathered."Blake's gaze is direct."Your testimonies will be required, both of you.And your sister's."

Naomi nods, though I feel her slight tremor.

"What about the pack?"I ask, cutting to what's really on my mind.

Blake's expression doesn't change, but something shifts in his eyes."That brings me to my next point.The Northern Ridge Pack has been informed of Brad's predicament.As expected, there's...uncertainty."

"They don't want a rogue as their alpha," I state, not a question.

"Some don't," Blake acknowledges."Others are simply afraid of change.But by our laws, the pack is yours if you choose to claim it."

Naomi's hand tightens on mine."And if we don't?"

Blake considers this."Then a new leader would be selected from within the pack, or another suitable candidate found."

"What about the competition?"Naomi asks."I'm still in it."

Blake's mouth quirks slightly."Dean and I discussed this.Brad wasn't wrong.If you were to win, Naomi, you could combine the packs.Bring them both together."

We look at each other, stunned.

"Or, if you lose, and you turn down this opportunity, you end up with nothing.So, think it over," Blake continues."There's no need for an immediate decision.The beta, Aaron, is maintaining order for now.But they'll need a definitive answer soon."

He turns to leave, then pauses at the door."For what it's worth, I believe you would make excellent leaders for that pack.Both of you."

"What about the council?"I ask, the question that's been weighing on my mind finally surfacing."Rowan's death..."

Blake turns back, his expression grave but not unkind."I've already spoken with Councilman Torres.The investigation will be thorough, but fair.The evidence of Rowan's abuse, coupled with Brad's own admissions about knowing and doing nothing...it works in your favor."

He doesn't offer platitudes or false promises, and I respect that.But there's something in his tone that suggests he's on our side, that he'll advocate for leniency if not outright exoneration.

After he's gone, silence falls between us.Naomi moves to sit beside me on the examination table, her shoulder pressing against my good one.

"Well," she says finally."That wasn't how I expected today to go."

A laugh escapes me, surprising us both."No, definitely not part of the plan."

She turns to face me, those blue eyes serious now."Do you want it?The pack?"

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