Alphas burden

42AVERY

In the following days, Caden and his i

They failed. Only a handful of the ones left alive cling to the delusion they deserve to live as Lorne promised.

For everyone else, loyalty and rank are held in the highest regard amongst shifters. The pack recognizes shifter law and knows Caden is the rightful Alpha, not Lorne. Taking control of a pack by force, claiming the rank of Alpha without earning the title, and interfering in a rank challenge all condemned Lorne’s disgraceful actions in their eyes.

Caden questions if we could’ve avoided this when we’re tucked in bed or swimming at our secret spring. If he should’ve exiled Lorne or killed him when he attacked me. I believe even if he had, Cormac, or perhaps someone else swayed by the desire for power, would’ve acted eventually. The only way to root this out from our pack is to eradicate anyone like them meticulously until the blight is gone.

I sit in on some of the sessions when Caden insists he wants my input in passing judgment for the traitors. Weston kneels before Caden in a narrow room of the lodge lined with windows, submitting to him with his neck bared. His boyish features are twisted with guilt and misery.

“I recognize Alpha Blackburn as the true Alpha of Silver Falls Pack. I repent for going against you,” he pledges solemnly.

Caden considers him for several moments. Liam stands guard at his side and I lean against the wall by Hodge. Caden shoots me an inquisitive look, seeking my thoughts. His jaw is clenched, yet the hardness in his eyes falters. I shake my head, believing in Weston’s will to repent. He nods in agreement.

“You’ll be watched closely until I say otherwise,” Caden decides. “As I said before, you need to prove yourself to me. The second you step out of line, that’s it. No more chances.”

Weston’s breath rushes out. “Of course. I’ll do anything you ask without complaint.”

“For starters, you’ll be moving into the dormitories. We’re tearing down Cormac’s compound and rebuilding there. You report to Liam, Gabe, Ford, or Hodge three times a day. If you don’t, you’re out.”

Weston nods. “Thank you.”

Caden motions to Liam and his beta sees Weston out. “Who’s next? Kip?”

“Bring him in,” Ford growls. “I volunteer to be the one to drive him from the packlands after you exile him. No promises he makes it to Wanderer’s Canyon.”

Gabe snorts. “Be more obvious, I beg you.”

Ford’s attitude changes with a sly grin, his voice lowering. “You know I like it when you beg.”

“No one’s next,” I say.

Caden’s gaze darts to me with a spark of interest, the corner of his mouth curling. “Why’s that, mate?”

I grasp his wrist, tugging him from his seat to lead him to the adjoining door to his office. “We’ve been at this all morning. It’s time for a break.”

His hum is pleased until he spots the jar of salve I pull from a pocket of my satchel to put on his wounds. I bat my eyelashes i

“Were you hoping the invitation for a break was code for something else?”

“You know I was,” he mutters, pulling me against him. “Make my day a million times better. Let me lay you out on my desk so I can eat your pussy before I fuck you on it.”

I bite my lip, desire tingling in my core. “You had me this morning. Twice.”

“I’ll never have my fill of you, sweet mate.”

His gravelly tone makes me want to climb on his lap and ride him for the rest of the afternoon. I shiver, pushing his chest. He leans against his desk, a smirk stretching his mouth when I unbutton his shirt.

“That’s more like it.” He kneads my waist, drawing me between his spread legs. “I love it when you can’t wait to get your hands on me.”

I duck, hiding a smile. “I want to check how you’re healing and apply this.”

He sighs, nuzzling my jaw with kisses. “It’s barely a scratch now. You have nothing to worry about.”

My wolf gives a bossy warning growl. His grin is wide against my skin. He listens to her, admiring me with a hooded gaze while I skim my fingertips over the fading lines marring his chest and shoulder. I smooth the salve I made with calendula and yarrow to every lingering wound.

One cut bisects his old scars and my mating mark. I kiss the spot, then take extra care rubbing it with salve.

He catches my wrist, bringing my palm to his mouth for a kiss. “Avery.”

My breath catches at the thick desire lacing his tone. I want him as much as every part of me always does, always will, because he’s mine.

“Later,” I say with an airy laugh. “I’m going to visit the healer’s cabin to see how Alisha’s doing as the new pack healer.”

He lavishes the crook of my neck with attention, his stubble scraping my mating mark deliciously. “My Alpha female always sees to her pack’s comfort and happiness. She has no time for her mate.”

“I always have time for you.” My arms loop around his neck and I meet him in a tender kiss. “Try not to be too strict in your judgments for the ones that went along with things out of fear, like Sylvie, or we’ll have a population problem on our hands by the time you’re through with them all.”

“I can think of a few ways to turn our numbers around if it comes to that,” he muses against my lips.

“I think I like the sound of that,” I murmur. “We have time for everything. Our future is ours. Our whole lives are ahead of us.”

“Every moment with you is one I’ll cherish.” He rumbles, splaying his fingers on my stomach. “I look forward to all of it. Especially the day your belly is filled with our pups.”

Joy expands in me. I kiss him passionately, picturing every happy moment that lies ahead for us to experience together. I want all of it with him. We’ll make up for the time we lost by devoting every day to loving each other.

“Me too,” I say.

He holds me closer, stroking my hair. Our hearts beat as one.

“You’re mine. You make me happier than I ever dreamed.”

He kisses my forehead. “I found my way back to you and I’ll never let you go. I’ll always take care of you, Avery. You’re mine to protect. Mine to love.”

Mine. My wolf’s delight is entwined with my own. I’m right where I belong, in my fated mate’s arms.