Page 44 of Broken Wolf Heart
One by one, the others kneel again.
But this time, it’s not a formality.
“I pledge to my alpha,” someone murmurs.
Then another. “To the alpha.”
And another.
The sound swells like a wave, crashing against the walls of this house, reverberating through me like thunder.
Power slams into my chest.
Magichowlsinside me.
It’s a rush of heat and pressure and connection—so much that I stagger.
Ifeelthem.
All of them.
A hundred threads snapping into place. Emotions that aren’t mine, thoughts I didn’t form. The press of lives against my mind, against my skin. Every heartbeat echoing like a drum inside me.
They’re mine.
My pack.
My wolfrevelsin it. She throws her head back and howls with delight, her joy electric and wild.
I nearly lose myself in it.
But I can’t.
I dig in my heels and push her down, grinding my molars together until the room comes back into focus.
Clifton Jones is still standing.
“The choice is yours,” I tell him.
“This is bullshit,” he mutters and then turns and makes his way out the door. “Franco is rolling over in his grave,” he says as he walks out.
A few others follow him.
I don’t let myself focus on the ones who choose to leave. Instead, I look out at all the faces who’ve stayed. Knees bent, heads bowed. They chose me. So, I choose them too.
I draw a breath to steady my voice. “Rise.”
They obey. My chest expands with hope.
Grey stands beside me, slipping his hand into mine.
“Nailed it,” he whispers, and my shoulders lighten as some of the tension releases.
I turn to Andy. “I want a full list of departments and current leaders by morning. Start preparing the review schedule.”
She nods. “You’ll have it.”
“Everyone is dismissed,” I say—and then quieter to Andy, “Will you stay for a moment?”
