Page 24 of Sold Bullied Mate

There’s a moment of silence as we all sit with what this means—the lack of Amanzite. Without it, our shifters won’t be able to move freely back and forth between their forms. There won’t be the protection of magic. Beyond just avoiding the painof the transition, there are a hundred other ways the stones assist us in our way of life.

Things we’ve all started to take for granted.

Pacing back and forth in front of the long table, I try to think.Thisis exactly what my grandfather was trying to prepare me for. Being a good leader isn’t just about taking credit when things go right. It’s about facing problems head-on and finding solutions.

His voice comes to me,“We won’t be able to go over all the possible problems you could face in the future, Dorian. But what we can do is talk about what to do, a system of steps you can take to ensure you find a solution.”

In my mind’s eye, I can see him sitting across from me at the table. Breakfast was never just breakfast with Gramps—it was always an opportunity to talk about my future. Being the alpha leader and being a good one. Doing right by the pack. Ensuring I’d be capable of helping us move forward, avoid the primitive fight-to-the-death style of electing a new leader packs inevitably fall into without strong options.

“What’s the most important thing to remember when it comes to facing problems in the future?”

“I may lead alone,” I’d said, almost like a recitation. “But I’m within the pack, too.”

“Which means?”

“Draw from them. Never try to solve a problem myself—we are stronger as a unit, and that’s why the pack system exists in the first place.”

“Exactly.”

Now, my eyes drift to the window, taking in the scenery. Outside, the day is starting to get hot, the sun high overhead. A lizard scampers from a large red rock and into the shade.

I haven’t sat down for this meeting—it doesn’t feel right, like I need to be on my feet for this. Like I might need to take action at any moment.

“Right now,” I start, feeling their eyes shift to me. “We need to brainstorm. No bad ideas—everyone, let’s think about what we can do to get our hands on more Amanzite.”

“I don’t think we should count out the market,” Kellen says, and Leta narrows her eyes at him, but I just nod.

“Alright, Kellen, I will take that idea into consideration. What else do we have?”

“We could send out scouts over our own land again,” Claire offers, spreading out her palms. She is not a usual member of these meetings, but her presence is starting to become more familiar. Unfortunately for her, the fact that she hasn’t been present through the years means she doesn’t understand the extent to which we’ve already done this.

It’s enough that allocating more resources to it most certainly wouldn’t yield results.

Instead of saying all this, and discouraging her from speaking up again, I nod, glancing at the others—mostly Kellen—to ensure they keep their mouths shut.

“That’s a good thought, Claire. Let’s keep thinking.”

“There’s always the Llewellyn pack,” Leta says, tapping her pen against the table. The Llewellyn pack, a rare matriarchal pack to our north. Not exactly enemies, not exactly allies. Wolves that we coexist peacefully with. “We could reach out and negotiate some sort of deal with them.”

“If we do that,” I say, turning to look at her, “we’re going to need information beforehand on what they need. A bargaining chip. See what you can find out, Leta.”

“On it,” she says, scribbling furiously in her notebook.

“Other ideas?” I let my gaze wander over the shifters in this room. I’d like to think I’ve ensured they all know they can speak up, that they feel emboldened to share their ideas with me. We need it now more than ever.

None of them speaks, but I feel something bubbling from the corner of the table. I turn to look at Claire, who’s sitting quietly, but her eyes are focused on the table, moving side to side, like she’s processing. Thinking.

Being attuned to them is helpful, and when I lean into that feeling, I can sense the way her mind is racing, how her heart beats fast.

She has an idea, but she’s fearful of sharing it. Likely from the way Kellen looked at her the last time she offered an idea.

When I clear my throat, the rest of them look at me, but she’s still looking at the table, her fingers drumming against her thigh, deep in thought.

“Claire?” I prompt, hoping I’m managing to keep my tone gentle. The last thing I want to do is bark at her. She startles still, her cheeks flushing scarlet when she looks up from her spot at the table.

“Sorry,” she says, letting out a breathy laugh and looking around the table. “I was—”

“We’d love to hear what you’re thinking.” I place my hands on the table, lean forward to show interest. “You have the most experience with Amanzite, and it’s obvious you’re very smart.”

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