Page 43 of Broken Wolf Heart
I scan for whoever spoke, but they’re lost in the crowd. Notthat it matters. I have no doubt the sentiment is shared by many. But I don’t back down or apologize. Grey told me I have to own this part, so I force myself to do just that.
“My wolf is new to me. She was threatened, and she acted accordingly,” I say. “If you threaten me, it’s only reasonable that I defend myself. But I won’t attack without provocation if that’s what you’re asking.”
No one argues it, and I only hope it’s a promise I can keep.
My wolf sniffs as if she’s not sure she can keep it either. But I can tell she wants this pack to belong to us just as much as I do, so I press on.
“My wolf chose this pack when she fought against those who threatened my right to lead it. And now I’m choosing it too,” I add. “There are some who will challenge me. Challenge us. That’s your right. But I won’t give up or abandon you. I swear it. I’m going to rebuild this pack. From the inside out. Starting with truth. Starting with no more backroom deals, no more forced matings, no more experimentation.”
There’s a stir among the crowd—unease, or maybe guilt. So they knew what Franco did to me. To my mother. To who knows how many others. Knew and did nothing. Maybe not all of them, but some.
“It’s true that my wolf was suppressed after Franco experimented on me and my mother. I received the antidote a couple of days ago, which is why my wolf finally emerged today. But I also know he did the same to others—people who may have been hurt even worse than I was.
“Iwillfind out who was complicit in forcing the women of this pack to participate. And when I do, I’ll decide whether you have a future here or not.”
Still silence. No one protests.
“Andy is my second now, which means she speaks for me. Starting tomorrow, she’ll begin one-on-one interviews with each of you. No titles are permanent. If you’ve earned yourrole, you’ll keep it. If you haven’t, we’ll find someone who has.”
I glance at Andy.
She dips her head. “Understood.”
I look over the crowd. “We are not who we were under Franco. And anyone who can’t accept that should leave now.”
No one moves.
But every breath in the room seems to grow heavier.
“What about him?” someone asks. A man I’ve never seen before with a short beard and hard, glittering eyes. He nods at Grey. “What’s his place here?”
“What’s your name?” I ask, heart thundering.
“Clifton Jones. Friends call me Cliff.”
“Okay, Cliff—” I start.
His eyes flash. “As I said, my friends call me Cliff. You can call me Clifton. Or Mr. Jones.”
My wolf seethes at that, but I hold my composure. A growl sounds from the back of the room, and I don’t need to look over to know it’s Grey. But I don’t tear my gaze from the male in front of me.
My voice sharpens. “And you can address me as Alpha—or not at all,” I tell him coolly. “As for Grey, he is my husband and will continue to be at my side, which is all you need to know about his loyalty?—”
“If I may.” Grey steps forward. “I’d like to answer his question.”
I nod, still glaring at the asshole in front of me, despite my heart slamming against my ribs.
Grey pushes through the crowd, not sparing a single glance for Cliff as he drops to one knee in front of me.
The crowd murmurs, but I don’t hear the words.
Grey looks up at me, the mate bond singing with the intensity of his feelings for me. The world narrows to just us.
“I pledge my loyalty and protection to you,” he says. “LexiGiovanni. My fated mate. My wife. My heart. Wherever you lead, I follow.”
He doesn’t say alpha, but every syllable he utters is steeped in devotion.
My chest twists. My throat tightens. For a moment, I can’t breathe. The other faces around us blur at the edges of my vision. All I see ishim—my anchor, my fire, my impossible choice that I keep choosing anyway.
