Page 151 of Alpha Queen
Two months had passed since his sentencing; since he'd been given a second chance he didn't deserve. In that time, the rogues had settled into their new homes, transforming the rustic cabins into a functioning community. Kane had thrown himself into his role as Alpha, working tirelessly to prove himself worthy of the trust placed in him.
"Is that them?" Austin appeared at his side. In the weeks since they'd arrived, he'd fallen into the role of his Beta, his cheerful but firm presence a balancing force to his more reserved nature.
Kane nodded. "Looks like it."
The black SUV pulled into the clearing, coming to a stop near the main gathering area. Several rogues emerged from their cabins, curious about the visitors. Word had spread quickly that the High Luna was bringing new members, and excitement hummed through the pack.
Kane approached the vehicle as River's guards exited first, scanning with professional efficiency before one opened her door. River emerged, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, her pregnancy now clearly visible beneath her flowing dress.
"Kane," she greeted him with a warm smile. "Thank you for meeting us."
He inclined his head respectfully. "High Luna. Welcome back to the White Tail pack."
She smiled at Austin. “I’m so glad you chose to stay with the pack.”
“They’re good wolves. I can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
The rogues in attendance also bowed to her. But in true River fashion, she waved them off. In the few short months that he'd begun to work with River to help establish the White Tail pack, he'd come to appreciate her and just how wrong he had been about her when he'd first met her.
River turned toward the SUV, saying something to the occupants inside before facing the gathered rogues. Many rushed forward to greet her, their affection for her evident in their eager faces and the wagging tails of those in wolf form.
"Everyone," River called, her voice carrying across the clearing. "I've brought some new members to join our White Tail Pack."
Kane stepped closer, unable to shake the feeling of foreboding that settled in his gut. "Who are they?" he asked, keeping his voice low enough that only River could hear.
River's eyes met his. "Wolves who, like all of you, deserve better than what they were given. The Alphas who harmed them have all been replaced. With those replacements, it allowed several wolves to get away from their controlling former Alphas, finally."
Kane's wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, but he couldn't focus long enough to figure out why. His wolf sniffed the air and whined.
River placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Please, everyone," she addressed the gathered pack, "welcome these newcomers and give them a chance. They're looking to start over, just as all of you were. We looked into every one of them just as we did with all of you, and we believe they belong here, at least for the time being. Besides, this is what we set up the White Tail pack for. To give rogues a new chance."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, a jumble of excitement and wariness. Kane wasn't sure he liked where this was going, but he nodded. As Alpha, he had to set an example.
River moved to the SUV door and opened it wide. "Come out," she encouraged. "You're safe here."
A tall female with long brown hair slid hesitantly from the vehicle, her eyes scanning the crowd. Before Kane could speak, a gasp came from somewhere behind him, followed by a cry of disbelief.
"Marissa?" One of the women, Lara, who'd been with them since the beginning, pushed through the crowd, her face a mask of shock and joy. "Marissa, is that you?"
The newcomer's eyes widened. "Lara? Oh, my goddess!"
The women collided in a tearful embrace, clinging to each other as if afraid the other might disappear. Sobs wracked both of them as they whispered to each other.
"My sister," Lara managed. "My little sister. I thought I'd never see you again."
Without another word, the reunited sisters walked away, arms wrapped around each other.
Kane's wolf howled in approval.
A second female emerged from the SUV, her red hair catching the sunlight as she scanned the crowd with hopeful eyes. Again, shouts of recognition rang out as three pack members rushed forward, surrounding her with hugs and exclamations of joy.
The scene repeated with a third newcomer and then a fourth, each finding familiar faces among the White Tail Pack. Kane looked on in amazement as family members, friends, and loved ones, once thought lost forever, found each other again.
A fifth female exited, her movements anxious, her eyes downcast. Unlike the others, she didn't immediately find a welcoming face. She stood awkwardly by the vehicle, her hands twisting in front of her.
Then Kane saw him. Darius, one of the quietest members of the pack, a male who rarely spoke and mainly kept to himself, stepped from the crowd. He stared at the newcomer with an intensity that made others back away, creating a path between them.
The female looked up, her eyes finding Darius. A strangled cry escaped her as she began to weep. Darius remained frozen, his body rigid with shock or emotion, Kane couldn't tell which.
