Chapter 16

16

REMY

T he leather chair creaked under my weight as I leaned back again. No position made this seat any more comfortable, probably because it wasn’t really mine.

I glanced around my father’s office and stifled a sigh.

I remembered this room from when it was my grandfather’s. It had been dark wood and stone, the massive desk carved out of a black rosewood tree had been the statement piece in the room then. My grandfather believed the office should be an extension of his role as Alpha, presenting just as formidable an appearance as he did.

The first thing Dad had done when he became Alpha was renovate the room. The stone had stayed since it was part of the house, but the dark woods were replaced with neutral colors. The desk that my grandfather had made was now in storage, and a more modern, sleek looking desk was in its place. There was also a sitting area that was clearly well used.

Dad had always encouraged us to join him in his office. While his father had been strict and guarded, Dad wanted a more open relationship. Mom was welcome anytime, but it was usually Dad who called her into this space, often seeking her counsel whenever a big decision needed to be made.

Their marriage was a partnership in every sense. From family to pack, they handled everything in stride as a united front.

It was what I had always wanted for myself.

Michael paused in the open doorway. “You ready?”

I nodded, glancing down at the open laptop. I had spent the morning listening to Rhodes, Michael, and Dante making calls, joining in where I could. Three packs had already agreed to join us, and Griffin was heavily leaning towards it as well. Hopefully those numbers would convince Stone Valley that ours was the side to join.

“I could have called him myself, you know.”

“Paul Warren follows high protocol,” Michael replied with a resigned sigh. “You know the drill.”

Paul Warren, the Stone Valley Alpha, was nearly ninety years old and completely old school when it came to pack law. Protocol dictated that the betas set up the meeting. In person was best, but considering the current state of things, neither of us was going to leave our pack for a talk. Setting up a video conference was the only option, and Michael insisted I needed to be sitting in the Alpha’s office when this conversation happened.

Warren hadn’t been at the Summit since he was mourning the death of his mate, who had died weeks earlier. His son and heir had gone to represent their pack.

Griffin had found his body after we left.

I logged into the video conference and waited for him to join me as Michael went back to his office to make more calls.

When his face filled the screen, I inwardly winced. The man was dressed in a suit, and I was in a black t-shirt and jeans.

“Alpha,” I greeted, hoping he didn’t comment on my lack of formal attire. “Thank you for joining me. My condolences on the loss of your mate and your son.”

Warren looked like he was on his last legs himself. Shifters aged slower and lived longer than humans, but this man looked every second of his ninety years. He was pale, almost withdrawn. Rumor had it, he planned to step down as Alpha after the Summit, ceding the pack to his heir.

“Thank you,” he replied stiffly, adjusting his tie. “I was told that you had a proposition that might be of use to me?”

“We would like for you to consider allying with us against Norwood,” I said plainly.

“And this benefits my pack, how?”

Did I really have to spell it out for him?

“Norwood is responsible for the bombing that killed your son, and they’re allies with Long Mesa,” I replied evenly.

His eyes narrowed. “You’re practically a child yourself, Alpha, but surely even you know of the history my pack has with Long Mesa?”

I resisted the urge to growl at being called a child.

“Yes,” I grit out instead, not willing to tank this meeting because he insulted my pride a smidge.

Not yet, anyway.

“Then you also know the source of that tension was caused when Adalynne Markham violated the marriage treaty between our packs. She insulted my pack, my family, and especially my son.” His lip curled in disgust. “And you now offer safe harbor and sanctuary for the one who committed such crimes against my pack.”

“Adalynne Markham was bonded,” I pointed out evenly. “A bonded pair supersedes any marriage contract. You know that.”

“And where exactly was her mate?” he demanded. “No mate was ever seen. She was unmated and unbonded when she was found to be impure and with a bastard in her belly.”

A growl rumbled out of me before I could censor myself.

“That bastard is my mate,” I informed him coldly. And was he really making a big fucking deal that Addie hadn’t been a virgin? Even if she hadn’t been pregnant, the fact that she had slept with someone else was a big deal?

His gaze flickered off screen for a moment. “I did hear that you had bonded. Congratulations.”

I tried not to roll my eyes. He sounded really freaking happy about it.

“Thank you,” I clipped out.

Warren eyed me for a moment before taking a deep breath. “I am willing to acknowledge that my pack is... in a less than ideal position right now. I have seen what Norwood is doing, and any friend of Long Mesa is an enemy of mine.”

“We have that in common,” I admitted, my shoulders relaxing from where my muscles had bunched up.

Warren steepled his fingers thoughtfully. “The whole reason we sought out and agreed to the marriage contract was so we had a binding tie between the packs. It’s an old tradition that the younger generations seem to have forgotten.”

“Most people want to marry for love, not obligation,” I muttered.

“But it is that obligation that can forge a lasting alliance,” he countered with a small smile. “I find myself at a crossroads, young Alpha.”

Somehow I had a feeling his crossroads were about to become my problem.

I waited for him to continue.

“My grandson is barely nineteen. He was to be his father’s heir, and now possibly mine. On the other hand, my son’s beta is older, wiser, and could likely make a challenge that will see him as our new Alpha.” His smile twisted into a bitter grimace. “I am an old man. I would see my pack protected before I am no longer able to serve them.”

“And how can my pack help with that?” I asked, my eyes narrowed.

“I already told you. A marriage contract is the easiest way to secure a lasting alliance.”

My brows lifted as shock rippled through my system. “And who the hell am I supposed to marry off?”

“You have a sister about my grandson’s age, don’t you?” There was no denying the sudden glimmer in his eyes.

“Not happening,” I snapped immediately, ice water flushing through my veins. I would never need anyone enough to use Katy as a bargaining chip. My temples started to throb. This call was pointless.

Warren’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you might say that.”

“Then why even bring it up?” I ground out.

“I wanted to see if your family meant more to you than a grudge against Norwood.”

I leaned back in the chair. “If all you want to do is play games, I’m not interested. People are dying, and I’m doing my best to minimize the body count. A body count that includes your son .”

It was a low blow, but it landed where it needed to.

Warren leaned back and exhaled hard. “Perhaps you are right. But I would demand a formal apology from Ms. Markham for reneging on our contract.”

“No,” I answered. “I won’t have someone from my pack apologizing for bonding with their mate ever. The past is the past. Let’s leave it there.”

He studied me for several moments before his shoulders slumped and he visibly backed down.

“Very well,” he agreed reluctantly. “What would you have us do?”

This was the tricky part.

“Norwood has been acquiring packs,” I explained slowly. “They started in New York, but now they’re moving towards the middle of the country. Their pack is bigger than any one of ours.”

“They’ve moved into Louisiana,” he replied tersely. “I was notified late last night. There is only one small pack between us and the border between states.”

“Join us.” Maybe my invitation was a little blunt, but I was done dancing around the subject.

He scrutinized me for a moment before clarity dawned on his face. “You want me to give up my position and become part of your pack? Why would I do this?”

“Because your options are us or Norwood. We’ve already been joined by other packs.”

“Even still,” he sighed loudly, “I’ve seen the reports. Norwood controls the eastern packs this side of the Mississippi and then some. They’re moving into Canada. They’re allied with Long Mesa in the south. You can’t compete with those numbers. You may be on the losing side of a very short war.”

“Maybe,” I allowed, shoving down the fears he was giving voice to. “But I have to try. And if you choose us, I’ll relinquish your pack back to you, or your heir, when this whole thing is settled.”

“Why would you do that?” he asked suspiciously.

“Because I have zero desire to control every pack in North America,” I replied honestly. “I do think changes need to be made in the packs, but that needs to be handled by a new Shifter Council that the packs elect.”

He was silent for a moment. “You know, I only met your father a handful of times at Summit meetings, but you remind me of him. He was an honorable man. Many hold him in high esteem and are hoping for his full recovery.”

I swallowed around the tangle of emotional knots that strangled my throat. “Thank you.”

“Stone Valley will align with you,” he said softly after a beat, lowering his eyes in defeat. His shoulders sagged as he exhaled.

This man had led his pack for almost sixty years. His mate and son were dead. The gravity of his situation wasn’t lost on me. I stayed quiet, letting him come to terms with what was happening.

“I will need a few days,” he added, clearing his throat as he lifted his gaze.

“A few days?” I repeated.

“To set my affairs in order. I would like to select my heir prior to merging so that you know who he is. Travel is a bit trickier now that Norwood and Long Mesa are on either side of me. I’ll need to ensure my pack borders are secure before leaving and coming to you to formally abjure my Alpha status and cede it to you.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” I hadn’t expected him to offer to come here, but it was the formal way to transfer one pack to another outside a challenge.

He nodded. “I do not envy you the fight that is coming,” he said grimly, shaking his head. “I hope you’re prepared for what comes next.”

“If there’s anything we can do to help, let me know.” I almost offered to let him bring his pack here if any members wanted, but stopped myself. Paul Warren was a proud man. In a few days he might not be an Alpha, but he would still protect his people.

Which were now my people.

We just might win this war yet.