Page 59 of Howl For A Kiss
Elena's heart hammered as the implications hit her. "That's... that's a massive undertaking. The logistics alone?—"
"Would be worth it." His hand covered hers, his thumb stroking her skin with possessive certainty. "Think about it, Elena. The rebellion isn't fringe anymore. My defection proved pack leadership can change sides. Logan's appointment as Beta proves we can infiltrate the system from within."
He's right,Elena realized, excitement building like electricity in her veins. The scattered, desperate movement that had defined her adult life was transforming into something with real power and real momentum.
"We have faces now," she whispered, the magnitude of it overwhelming. "A hybrid rebellion leader and a former Beta turned warrior. Logan straddling both worlds as pack leadership and rebellion."
Damon's smile was fierce and predatory. "Exactly. We're not hiding in shadows anymore. We're the future they can see and touch."
Elena's mind raced through possibilities, her strategic instincts firing on all cylinders. "The timing couldn't be better. Young wolves across all pack territories are questioning their leadership. Traditionalist pack members are openly discussing reform."
"Because they have hope now." His voice dropped to that rough timbre that always sent warmth flooding through her. "Hope that change is possible without destroying everything they value."
"But a unified summit..." Elena chewed her lower lip, weighing risks against potential gains. "The security concernswould be enormous. The Council has spies and operatives everywhere."
"Then we do something they'd never expect." Damon's eyes gleamed with dangerous intelligence. "We include moderate pack leaders. Make it official negotiations instead of a rebellion meeting."
Elena's pulse stuttered as she grasped his meaning. "You want to propose formal talks and treaties between rebels and pack leadership?"
"With Kieran and Maya representing moderate pack leaders, and us representing unified rebellion." His hands cupped her face again. "Our status as mates from both sides makes us impossible to ignore."
Brilliant,Elena thought, her wolf practically purring with admiration for her mate's strategic mind. The former Beta understood better than anyone how to work within existing power structures.
"It's risky," she said, though excitement was already building in her chest. "Traditionalists will call it legitimizing rebellion. Hardline rebels will see it as selling out."
"Good." Damon's smile turned predatory. "Let them both be uncomfortable. Change requires breaking old patterns on all sides."
Elena's mind whirled with tactical considerations. "We'd need neutral ground. Absolute secrecy from the High Council. Security protocols that protect both sides."
"Kieran could mediate," Damon said, already reaching for his phone. "He has credibility with traditionalists and proven commitment to reform."
Elena watched her mate's fingers move with practiced efficiency, thinking about how those same hands had once enforced the very laws they now sought to change.The transformation still amazed her—from dutiful Beta to revolutionary warrior, all because he'd chosen love.
"Call him," she said, the decision crystallizing with perfect clarity. "Tell him we want formal negotiations. Frame it as building bridges, not burning them down."
Damon's grin was pure alpha male satisfaction as he initiated the call. "Kieran? It's Damon. Elena and I have a proposition that's going to immediately change everything."
This could work,Elena realized, her heart racing with anticipation. After years of fighting from the margins, they finally had the power to demand a seat at the table. The third hybrid of the Lunar Prophecy and her reformed Beta mate—tradition and change united in love and purpose.
TWENTY-SIX
DAMON
Damon's bare chest caught the morning light streaming in through their cabin windows, his muscles shifting as he leaned back against the couch and turned his phone on speaker.
This might actually work,Damon thought, watching Elena's eyes darken with desire as she tracked the movement of his free hand across his abdomen. Even in the middle of potentially revolutionary negotiations, the mate bond thrummed between them with electric intensity.
"We're proposing formal negotiations," Damon continued. "Rebellion leaders from all four pack territories meeting with moderate pack leaders. Let's frame it as building bridges, not burning them down."
Kieran's pause crackled through the phone before his measured response. "That's... ambitious. Who would represent each side?"
"Elena and I would helm the rebellion leadership. You and Maya would represent moderate pack leaders." Damon's tactical mind was already working through logistics, his gaze never leaving Elena as she began spreading maps across their coffee table.God, she's magnificent when she's in full tactical mode.
"Interesting dynamic," Kieran said, and Damon could hear the wheels turning in his best friend's mind. "Former Beta and hybrid rebellion leader now mated, representing both tradition and change."
"Yes, exactly." Elena looked up at that, her eyes bright with excitement. The sight sent heat spiraling through Damon. "We're living proof that evolution doesn't mean destruction."
"Give me a couple hours to work this out on the pack leader side," Kieran said. "You handle the rebellion leaders."
