Page 136 of Broken Wolf Heart
“I’ll send a bottle,” Lexi says, already directing them to the back room where I know for a fact Franco used to host poker nights and strippers. So weird doing this here.
“You’re an angel,” Sonesta tells her, squeezing her hand before they walk away.
When they’re gone, Razor lifts a brow. “You’re an angel? Crow’s invited to dinner? Is this the apocalypse?”
“Guess we shoulda’ kicked our old man’s ass years ago,” Crow tells him. He offers Razor the ghost of a smile.
Razor grins. “I better go find that bottle of vodka, or we’ll ruin everything.”
He stalks off toward the bar, and I turn to Lexi.
“You ready?” I ask.
“I’m ready to put this part behind us,” she says.
“You and me both, princess. Come on.”
I take her hand, and we make our way to the center of things. The room quiets instinctively. But I wait for Lexi to speak first. She stands taller than I’ve ever seen her, power radiating off her in waves. My wolf has never been prouder. The bond never more potent.
“You all know why we’re here,” Lexi says. “Vincenzo hasdeclared war on anyone who does not pledge their loyalty to him. And now he’s kidnapped an innocent woman.
“He’s injecting himself with an illegal serum that he will use to cause more violence and bloodshed. And he will not rest until he’s made every single person in this city bow to him. He doesn’t want to be an alpha. He wants to be a king. A dictator. Today, we fight for our freedom.”
The soldiers in the room roar a cheer.
“When Grey and I give the order, we go in together,” Lexi says. “Our goal is to rescue the captives, apprehend Dr. Severin, and take down Vincenzo before the serum turns him into something worse than he already is.”
A murmur of agreement rolls through the room.
“Anyone who asks for mercy gets it,” I add. “No senseless killing. We’re not here to prove we’re stronger. Strength comes from unity. From a pack that doesn’t fracture ever again. We’re here to prove we’re better than the monsters who came before us.”
Elio—a recent pack addition who used to be one of my drivers when he followed my father—steps forward from the back. “Why show him mercy?” he asks. “He wouldn’t do the same for you.”
“I know,” I say. “That’s exactly why we have to.”
Lexi nods, and there’s fire in her eyes. “This is our city. And we’re not fighting for only ourselves but for the ones who come after us. Let’s show Vincenzo and his pack what it means to truly protect each other. To truly be a unified pack.”
“What do you mean by unified pack?” Elio asks. “You’re both alphas of your own packs, aren’t you?”
I can’t help but think of Mac and Levi. Or Kai and Ash—even though I’ve never met them. I can’t help feeling a bit like this moment is wrapped in destiny.
“Lexi and I are both alphas, but we’re also bonded mates,” I tell him.
“A bond made stronger when we rule as equals,” Lexi adds.
The group gasps.
Halfway out the door, Savannah whispers something to her cameraman, and he steps back into the room, camera aimed at us. I have a feeling everyone watching from home is hanging on our words—just like everyone in this room now is.
“Two alphas ruling together?” Donahue asks. “You’d give up your title so easily?”
“Our pack is stronger this way,” Lexi tells them. “And I’m not giving up anything. We’re gaining more strength, more equality?—”
“A pack that’s rooted in family,” says another voice.
My mother. She comes forward and stands on the other side of Lexi. She smiles at my mate, warmth and acceptance radiating.
Emotion clogs my throat.
