Alphas burden

34CADEN

The Pack Summit comes after the first decent snowfall on Silver Mountain.

I spend the week before we leave checking and double checking my proposal, dragging Liam along the perimeter line daily, issuing new patrol routes for scouts, and taking the entire enforcer roster through drills to ensure the pack’s safety while I’m away.

There’s no sending a pack representative in my stead, an alpha must be present. I’m worried about leaving the packlands when things have been strained amongst my people. Lorne’s bullshit has been simple enough to thwart when it was only him and my uncle disapproving of my rules, but now he’s created fractures that could easily snap.

They’ve been quiet after I stripped his rank, but my gut tells me things aren’t over with the trouble they’ve caused.

Avery reassures me when she wanders into my office late in the evening and settles in my lap that everything will be fine—the pack under Hodge’s watch while we’re gone and the summit we’re traveling to.

Each Alpha is allowed three enforcers to accompany their group. Liam and two of our older lieutenants from my father’s time, Angus and Benedict, are with us. We also bring a small handful of appointed volunteers from each pack to manage the welcome feast. Taryn landed herself a spot on that list weeks ago with another one of her stunts. It makes Callie happier compared to her usual boredom being dragged to these gatherings.

The journey isn’t far for us, roughly half a day’s run from Silver Mountain. Other packs venture from the edges of the region to meet in the central location deep in the forest. Rather than drive until the roads end, we shift, able to cover more ground faster. Our clothes are divided amongst us in packs we sling over our wolves’ backs. When we’re close, we give up our fur.

We arrive at the summit’s neutral grounds, snow giving way to a magically preserved oasis untouched by cold seasons as we pass through towering archways with greenery wrapped around the columns. It’s sacred land that belongs to no pack.

Stone structures and temple ruins blend seamlessly with the ethereal forest. Vegetation grows freely over the buildings, and the pavilions and gazebos open to the nature surrounding them with many windows, or no roofs in some places to welcome the stars.

Avery halts, taking it in with a gasp. “This is beautiful.” She touches the leaves of a drooping vine crisscrossing between the trees overhead. “Is this heaven? I feel like I’ve walked into paradise.”

My gaze softens at her wonder. “It’s enchanted.”

“Wait until you see the guest quarters,” Callie says. “You’ll love them.”

“Are they luxurious?” Taryn gets a dreamy look on her face. “I hope the beds are big.”

Liam prods her back. “You’ll be with the other volunteers sleeping in the common chamber.”

Taryn hangs her head with a groan. “That’s boring.”

“Should’ve thought of that before you were caught stealing extra food from the kitchen stores in the middle of the night.”

“I was hungry!”

They glare at each other. Liam folds his arms, uncompromising.

“Sneak out later. We can bunk together,” Callie whispers to her.

“I heard that,” Liam grumbles.

Avery laughs. “You two bicker worse than pups fighting over the same toy.”

“Tell me about it,” I mutter.

We follow the winding path to the main hall. Its flagstone veranda sprawls from the large arched entrance. Twin fountains with wolves spouting water from their howling mouths decorate either side.

As hosts for the event this time around, Timber Hollow Pack’s alpha and his family greet the traveling parties as we arrive. Alistair Ryan stands tall and proud, his beard peppered with gray. Regina, his mate, and their oldest son, Atlas, join him.

“Caden. Welcome,” Alistair says jovially.

“Alpha Ryan. It’s good to see you.” We clasp forearms in greeting.

“When you sent word of your changed status and that you’d be arriving with your mate, it surprised us.” He chuckles. “I recall you once denouncing the need to ever take one during your training time in Timber Hollow Pack.”

I slide the hand resting at Avery’s lower back around her waist, pulling her against me, possessiveness and pride expanding within me. My wolf puffs his chest out.

“I was an idiot,” I say plainly.

Avery chokes, clearing her throat. She flashes me a sardonic look that tugs on my heart. My eyelids grow heavy at the hint of her scent, warm and sweet with her tender affection.

“This is Avery Blackburn.”

The bond throbs, surprise and delighted pleasure rushing from her end. It’s the first time I’ve introduced her with my name. From the moment I marked her with my claim, she became mine in every way.

She leans into me with a pretty shade of pink coloring her cheeks. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Never doubt that the Fates rest. They are always at work to guide us,” Alistair advises.

“Whether we want them to or not,” she adds in an amused tone.

“Especially then,” Regina says. “I didn’t want anything to do with this one. The Fates had other plans for us.”

“And I thank them every day.” Alistair chuckles heartily. “Can you believe it? The arranged mating my father pla

Atlas pulls a face that makes Callie snicker with Taryn. He shoots them a charming grin. I edge in front of my sister and her best friend with a raised brow. His flirtatious smile drops.

Alistair’s attention moves past us and his cheerful demeanor hardens. “Alpha Bell. Welcome, Crescent Valley Pack.”

Rooke Bell and his traveling group make their way to the veranda. Unlike Alistair, he’s meticulously groomed, dressed in a sharp suit while the rest of us are in casual clothes.

“Alpha Ryan.” He nods to me. “Alpha Blackburn.”

Rooke passes. Alistair doesn’t take his eyes off him until he’s inside.

“He’s rumored to be meeting with Moonlight Lake’s pack frequently,” he mutters to me.

My brows shoot up. The packs may be unified in peace, but it’s not common to continuously conduct business one on one outside of the summit gatherings without the other packs’ knowledge. It’s also no secret that things are strained between Alistair and Rooke’s packs.

“Is it true?”

He shrugs. “I haven’t been able to confirm it myself. Watch him. You never know what he’s up to. Whatever it is, I’m sure he’s angling to make his pack stronger.”

“Alistair,” Regina chides. “Pack business later. Today is for celebrating together.”

“Right.” He invites us in with a wave of his arm. “Don’t let us keep you from settling in. We’ll see you for tonight’s feast.”

Later in the evening, we prepare for the feast. The first night of the summit begins with a formal banquet and dancing. I’ve always kept to the edges and left early, finding the ball trivial. Oddly, I’m looking forward to tonight’s festivities and showing my mate off.

Avery’s seated on a tufted stool before the mirror when I finish dressing in a suit. I freeze, drinking her in. Callie told me she had Avery’s gown for the welcome feast covered. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined this vision.

Her caramel toned hair cascades down her back in soft waves. The dark blue dress brings out her amber eyes, making them bright and rich. It’s slinky and fucking sexy, the bodice hugging her, flaring out in a skirt that resembles starlight.

My mating mark declaring my claim of her is on display for all to see. Everyone will know she’s mine. A possessive noise reverberates in my chest.

“Can you get the back of this? Callie left to finish getting ready in her room,” she says while she’s distracted by her jewelry.

“Maybe,” I choke out.

“Maybe? What do you mean, maybe?” She finishes putting her earring in, catching my eye in the mirror. Her lips part as she admires me. “You look handsome.”

“I promise, I don’t look anywhere near as good as you. I think I’d rather get you out of it than help you put it on.” My gaze rakes over her hungrily. “I can’t decide if I want to peel it off inch by inch or tear it to shreds with my claws.”

She gasps, clutching the bodice covered in delicate crescent moons. “Don’t you dare ruin it.”

The lush tinge of pink in her cheeks suggests she rather likes the second idea. I give her a slow, predatory grin.

“Caden,” she warns.

I tease her, emitting a gravelly rumble. Reaching for the bond, I trace my knuckles along our co

“You can’t. We’ll be late to the welcome feast. We should use tonight as an opportunity to feel out whether the other alphas will be open to your trade proposal.”

Licking my lips, I rein my desire in. “Okay. But later? You’re all mine.”

Her gaze flares with heat in the reflection. She draws her hair aside and I move behind her, watching her reaction in the mirror while I trace my claiming mark at the crook of her neck.

My fingertips skim her spine. She shivers, peering over her shoulder. I place a kiss at her nape before securing the clasp for the delicate neck strap. She rises with my help.

“Wow,” I breathe.

She tucks her hair, giving me a spin. “Yeah? I’ve never worn anything this fancy before.”

Fucking Fates. The low-cut backless design and high slit that runs to the top of her thigh will do me in tonight. My wolf is single-minded in his interest to follow the part in her gown to the crease of her thigh to inhale her enticing scent.

“Yeah,” I rasp. “You’re stu

“I’m not the only one who looks good.” She steps into me, resting a hand on my chest and tucking her nose into the open collar of my shirt. “I like the suit.”

My wolf rides me, fighting for my skin. He wants to rub all over her. I hold him back with a strained laugh.

“We need to go. Otherwise, I won’t be responsible for losing control.”

She takes my offered hand. Angus and Benedict fall into step a few paces behind us.

Hundreds of candles line the paths until we reach the staircase descending to the main hall we entered through earlier. The back has a terrace leading to gardens through the drape of willow vines. Warm light and music spill from the open doors, inviting us in.

A banquet table laden with food lines the far wall of the long room. The ceiling is open to the twinkling night sky, the moon casting a bright glow. Many are already here, dancing and drinking. The volunteer packmates from each group serve wine in goblets.

Callie comes in, escorted by Liam. Avery hugs her.

“You look amazing!”

Callie beams. “Thank you.”