Alphas burden

Before she gets another word out, I’m rushing from the cabin. Packmates wave as I hurry down roads to the central lawn and head right to the Alpha’s lodge. Caden’s head is bent over his desk in the middle of a meeting with Liam, Gabe, and some elders who advised his father when I bustle in.

“With the electrical extension project finishing up, we should consider how—Avery.”

Everything about him changes the instant he sees me, his commanding tone softening with warmth and something else that fills my stomach with flutters when he says my name like it’s the best part of his day.

I falter, realizing I’ve barged right into his office. Not one enforcer stopped me, either. The implication of why I’d be allowed free rein anywhere in the pack now compared to a short time ago makes me swallow the thick tangle of emotions clogging my throat. My wolf has no such qualms, feeling this is her place.

We might have a mate bond, but we haven’t claimed each other to officially become a mated pair. My heart swells and creeps up my throat, my pulse speeding at the possibility.

I shake my head, passing a sheepish look to the elders while Liam chuckles under his breath. “Sorry. I interrupted.”

“It’s fine.” With a wave, Caden dismisses everyone, then circles his desk to lean against it in a casual slouch that puts us at eye level. “What do you need?”

You, the bond sings. My wolf agrees, pressing forward to bask in his reassuring earthy cedarwood musk.

I flatten a hand over my jittery stomach. “I went to see the healer. Did you arrange that?”

“Of course.”

My lips rub together. “So I’m essentially co-healer to the pack now?”

His forehead creases. “Is that a problem?”

I flap a hand. “Why?”

“What’s wrong? Was Eugene an ass to you? Tell me and I’ll sort him out.” He catches my fingers and gives them a caress that anchors me. “Is this not what you wish? If you’d like to do something else, by all means do.”

“It’s a big change. I just⁠—”

Words fail me. My eyes fall shut when he gently pulls me between his legs, then kneads my nape. He brings my hand up, nuzzling the inside of my wrist. Tingles erupt in my belly at the scrape of his stubbled jaw against my skin.

“I thought you’d like it,” he murmurs. “If not, I’m sorry. You can do anything you want.”

He thought I’d like it. My stomach swoops.

“No, I sort of do,” I admit. “It’s not something I ever considered for myself. I know plants. I’m not sure that qualifies me for this.”

“I think you’d be great at it. I saw your notes,” he admits. “You think about ways to help others in the pack.”

“I do.” I meet his penetrating gaze, breath catching at his sincere belief in me. “I’ve thought about it a lot. At first because it was a necessity for my survival to understand what was needed.”

He tenses, drawing me in until we’re chest to chest. His lips brush my wrist. My eyes fall shut and I lean against him tentatively, biting my lip when his other arm winds around me.

“You’re focused on the bigger picture as Alpha. There’s a lot you don’t see,” I continue. “Food allotments being shorted, for one. Not just mine, but those who rank lower than others.”

He rumbles, grip tightening on my wrist. “Is that why your meat store was so sparse? You were meant to get a fair share like anyone else.”

“Things aren’t always fair here.”

“Then my orders have been disobeyed. No more. We’ll make this pack a prosperous, supportive place for everyone. Pack means we’re all in this together, part of a big family that we protect,” he says. “I want to make life good for all our packmates. The packs will meet soon to honor our accords. At the summit, I’ll be submitting a proposal for new trade agreements.”

When he became Alpha, I thought he was strictly setting rules to assert his control. I’m starting to wonder if I’ve had his motives all wrong. Someone who wants to improve his pack’s life and create a sense of safety isn’t on a power trip.

The other word he used takes root in my mind and my heart. We. If he’s open to listening to me, we could weed out the hidden injustices that occur in Silver Falls Pack every day.