Page 87 of To Keep A Wolf
CHAPTER25
Dozens of wolves profess their loyalty to their new alpha, and instantly, the invisible thread that tethers me to only my mother and father multiplies. A connection tethering us all forms so quickly that even my wolf is dumbfounded. For a moment, no one speaks. They’re all waiting—probably for me, though I have no idea what to say or do next. In the weighted silence, Levi steps close, eyes searching mine.
“Hail the new alpha,” he says.
I wince, but his elation isn’t teasing at all. It’s simply happiness.
“How do you feel?” he asks when I don’t answer.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I’m alive.”
His expression softens. “You are more than that.”
Instead of answering, I look at the others. Tripp and Grey stand close by, and I notice their posture is angled toward Levi. “You’re still Jades,” I say, wrapping my head around all this.
They nod. Tripp shrugs. “I mean, I could be swayed for the right number of tacos.”
Grey smacks him.
I look down at where my mother still kneels.
“You’re okay with all this?” I ask her.
“Ask me again after I’ve taken orders from my own daughter,” she says, but there’s a glimmer of unmistakable relief in her eyes. And something else I never thought I’d see. Pride.
Rather than acknowledge it, I look at Rina, who watches us with a soft smile.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
“I didn’t do much,” she says with a wink.
But I don’t believe her. Turning it all over in my mind, I suspect she’s done a great deal, mostly where we couldn’t even see it happening.
“We should clean all this up,” I say, a little uncertain.
Levi leans in and whispers, “Maybe let them all get off their knees first.”
“Oh.” I look around, startled to realize the pack is still kneeling. And waiting. Shit.
“Uh, you can rise,” I call out.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Levi fighting a smile. He’s enjoying this, and why shouldn’t he? We’ve won. We’re alive. And the Clemons’ line of alphas is done.
Still, there are enough questions unanswered and problems to solve even in the midst of our victory. Even without Jadick, we’re still prisoners, thanks to the curse.
I square my shoulders as the pack gets to their feet. The Jades continue to look to Levi, but at least, there’s no more animosity between the two groups.
“Now what?” I ask.
Levi shrugs. “Whatever you want.”
I have no idea what to do with that. For as long as I can remember, there was an expectation for me. A duty to perform. My time has never been my own, not where the pack is concerned. Looking out over the others, I realize it’s probably been the same for them.
And suddenly, instead of feeling overwhelmed by this new title and responsibility, I see the opportunity in it.
“You’re all free to go,” I call out.
After a beat, some begin moving slowly toward the garden’s exit. Others remain, looking uncertain. I try again. “I mean, you’re free to go forever.”
