Page 67 of Nick
Epilogue
MALCOLM PULLED UP TOthe small adobe house Sarah and Nick had chosen in town in Sunburst.He stepped out of his truck, surveying the house with its welcoming front porch and the promise of new beginnings.His nostrils flared slightly, picking up the familiar scents of the pack.
“Perfect for a fresh start,” he murmured approvingly, a warm breeze ruffling through his short dark hair.
He was reaching for a box marked “kitchen” in the back of his truck when an unexpected figure emerged from the house, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
“Malcolm,” Larissa said, her tone neutral—and yet somehow still tinged with the undercurrent of their ever-present rivalry.She leaned casually against the doorframe.
“Didn’t expect you here today,” Malcolm said, his eyes narrowing slightly.Larissa’s presence could either be a boon or another hurdle in his quest to strengthen the pack’s bonds.
“Early bird,” she said curtly, pushing off from the doorway and moving toward him.
At the same moment, they reached for the heaviest of boxes, their movements oddly synchronized.
“Actually,” he suggested, “let’s get that furniture first.”
“Sure,” Larissa said, easily jumping into the bed of the truck to maneuver the hefty wardrobe when Malcolm popped open the tailgate.
Despite himself, Malcolm admired Larissa’s strength and efficiency as she navigated through the narrow hallway, setting down the wardrobe in the master bedroom with a thud that echoed off the bare walls.
“Good spot?”he asked as he straightened his back, feeling the slight strain of exertion.
“I think it works,” Larissa confirmed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.“We can move it later if Sarah doesn’t like it.”
Malcolm’s fingers flexed.This was more than just helping friends move; it was about solidifying his place, his future leadership.
“Let’s keep this pace,” he suggested, heading back to his truck for the next load.
“Race you,” Larissa said.
“Game on,” he accepted with a half grin, knowing that despite everything, Larissa would push him to be better.A true alpha.
They darted back and forth, carrying boxes labeled with scribbled contents and pieces of furniture that held memories and promises.Sweat beaded on Malcolm’s forehead, his muscles rippling under the strain, but he felt alive.Each item they placed inside the house was a step closer to reuniting the pack, to healing old wounds.
But he needed to talk to Nick about his plans.
“Finish unloading the truck,” he instructed Larissa absently before heading to the kitchen, where he’d last seen Nick.
“I’m not your—” she began, her voice fading out as he made his way through the house.
“Hey, Nick,” he said.“I want to talk to you about the pack.”
Nick, who had been arranging kitchenware with meticulous attention, paused and looked up.“Sure.We’re all in this together.”
“Exactly,” Malcolm agreed, nodding.“We can’t afford any weak links.The Sunburst Pack has to stand united if we’re going to survive.And that starts with strong leadership.”
From behind him, a voice drew his attention.“Strong leadership, or just a strong leader?”
Malcolm turned.Larissa now stood in the doorway.
“Because leadership is more than just strength,” she continued, stepping closer.The movement was fluid, like a predator closing in, her eyes never leaving Malcolm’s.“After all, we’ve had a strong leader.He nearly destroyed us.”
“So what do you suggest?”he asked.
“I think that perhaps it’s time the Sunburst Pack considered a woman as alpha.”
Nick snorted, and Larissa shot a glare at him.
