Page 125 of Alpha Queen
River exchanged a glance with her mates before nodding. "Send them in."
Moments later, Sarah, the young female exiled for refusing to submit to a Luna who physically abused her, entered, followed by four others. They bowed respectfully, though River noticed they directed their most profound reverence to her rather than the twins.
"High Luna, Your Majesties," Sarah began, her voice steady despite her apparent nervousness. "We've come to thank you for your mercy and fairness."
An older wolf with gray-streaked hair stepped forward. "We thank you for letting us form our own pack. We've chosen a name. If it pleases you, we'd like to be known as the White Tail Pack, in honor of the High Luna who gave us a second chance."
River's eyes widened, a lump forming in her throat. "I... I'm honored."
Her father's name would live on through a new pack.
"We also wanted to ask," Sarah continued. "If there might be some way we could repay your kindness. Some service we could provide to the Crown."
River looked to her mates, an idea forming. "Actually," she said. "There might be."
Apollo raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"
"What if the White Tail Pack became the first guardians of the transition program? Who better to help rogues adjust than those who've been through it?"
Ares nodded. "They could screen newcomers, teach them pack protocols, and prepare them for integration."
"And report directly to us," Apollo added. “Creating a buffer between the rogues and established packs. And mitigating some of the additional workload."
Sarah and the others exchanged hopeful glances. "We would be honored," she said. "Truly honored."
"We would just need to find them an Alpha," said Ares.
"Someone willing to be their Alpha. Someone who understands their plight and is sympathetic to what they've been through."
"It will take some thinking to find the right Alpha." She smiled, a sense of accomplishment washing through her. This was what she had fought for, what she had endured for. Not survival, but the chance to build something better from the ashes of what had been broken.
"Then it's settled," she declared. "The White Tail Pack will be established at the Wolvenguard cabins, with the mission of helping other rogues find their place in our world."
As the rogues bowed and thanked them profusely, Apollo's arm slipped around River's waist.
"You're going to change our world, aren't you?" he murmured.
River leaned into his embrace, watching Ares discuss a few details with the rogues. "Our world needs to change. And we're going to do it together."
Apollo kissed her temple. "Together." His eyes reflected pride and something that resembled hope.
The rogues filed out, already discussing their new responsibilities.
"This is the beginning," she whispered.
An older rogue with gray streaked temples stopped and turned back. "Your majesties. If I may? Before we go, I have an idea."
River rested in her room while Ares and Apollo discussed the idea brought to them by the older rogue. River thought it was a good idea, but she was done fighting for the day and had decided she was ready for a rest.
She stared at the television watching An American Werewolf in Paris. Man, it was silly. Sillier than the first one, but she liked it nonetheless.
A knock on her door pulled her attention. She muted the television.
"Come in."
Ares opened the door and entered with a tray of food.
She smiled. "Hey there."
