11. Briony

In general, I would not say that pack council meetings are well attended. They're kind of known for being boring, municipal, and downright unpleasant.

This one, though, is packed.

And I'm quite certain I know why.

The agenda is also packed. From the fox leash to Will's trial, to the fact that the alpha himself is present, I'm sure the entire pack has turned out today.

And right now, you could probably hear a pin drop.

Evander stands in front of the council. It's a small council; four wolves, each one a senior in our community. Two of them are related to the old alpha, and they're distant cousins to Thorne and Evander's father.

Two of them are not. None of them are looking super happy right now.

"The first matter is the attack of a pack member on the beta," Thorne says to the crowd. He nods at Zander, who is serving as his bailiff today. "Bring out Will."

Will emerges from the back of the meeting building, wearing clothes that are too big for him.

His hands are in handcuffs.

Thorne growls. "Beta, you have the right to formally challenge this wolf for attacking you and your mate. Do you take it?"

The crowd leans forward, collectively sucking in a breath to hear what Evander will say.

Evander studies Will. "No," he says softly. "No," he repeats. "But do not come near my mate and me ever again."

Will doesn't respond.

The matter feels anticlimactic, but settled. Without any challenge, there's nothing more to do. I'm sure some people in the crowd were hoping for a fight, but there's none to be had.

I can't tell how I feel about it.

But the bigger issue is still up.

One of the council members stands. "Now, the more important matter. Alpha Thorne, did you and your beta agree to house a leash of fox refugees?"

"Yes," Thorne says.

The crowd gasps.

"Without telling the council?"

"I did," he rumbles.

"Will you explain why?"

"I will, council members," Evander says.

I suck in a breath.

Earlier, he told me Thorne was going to do this. That he wasn't ready. That Thorne wanted to.

But now…

Evander casually trolls up to the center of the council. He smiles at the members. "I'm prepared to talk about what happened."

The council tilts his head. "The floor is yours, Beta."

Evander nods. "With the help of my mate Briony, I established the fox leash in the northwest corner of our territory."

My heart thumps. Publicly acknowledging me as his mate is…

It's amazing.

Mrs. Bortles, from her front-row seat in the crowd, sighs. "Briony has such a nice young man," I hear her whisper.

My man.

I can't deny that.

Evander looks out over the pack. "Yes, you're right. Alpha Thorne and I didn't ask permission. We didn't bring it to the pack. And we won't in the future. We knew that the Oakwood Pack is full of people with big hearts and minds. People who wouldn't sink to prejudice about foxes," he says with a meaningful glare at Zander, "to make their decisions. We were people in need once. When we left the old pack grounds, we did so to make a better life for all of us. For each one of you," he looks out at the crowd.

The crowd stares back.

The energy in the room is palpable. They're hanging on his every word.

My heart swells. Come on, baby. Show them what you're made of.

"So, no. We didn't ask the council about the fox leash. We took them in. Alpha Thorne and I built them cabins in the farthest corner of our territory, because we wanted to give them some space after what they've been through. In the future, we may have more refugees. It will be expected that the Pack will absorb these new members without a fuss, and the Alpha will not be asking for your opinion on the matter. Oakwood Pack is a place for all shifters. It's where we can escape the pain of our past and start over. That's important. For all of us." Evander's eyes land on mine.

I give him a little grin.

He nods. "As you hear our explanation, council members, I urge you to remember that the Oakwood Pack is more than just a pack. We are a family. A group. And as a family, we hold ourselves accountable to values. Alpha Thorne and I value compassion. Empathy. Kindness," he smiles at me again.

His eyes turn back to the council. "The question is, do you?"

Evander sits.

And applause shatters the stillness in the air.

It's a slam dunk. The council approves the fox leash unanimously and gives alpha reign in the future to settle refugees from other packs, so long as they're formally vetted by his beta and security team first. My heart swells at Evander's place in all this, and as the meeting concludes, I find myself drifting closer to his side.

When I find him, he pulls me close and kisses my temple. "How'd I do?"

"You know you did well," I say with a sigh.

He smirks. "Yeah, but I want to hear you say it first."

"You're such a…"

"Evander," Will says.

We both freeze.

Out of his silver cuffs, Will looks… beaten. He's got huge bruises on his face and his hair is lank.

He nods. "Thank you."

Evander studies him for a moment, pulling me close. "I meant it, Will. If I see you around Briony again, I won't turn down the challenge. And if you fight me, I won't hold back. I'll kill you. Don't come near us again," he says.

Will looks like he wants to say something. His eyes dart between Evander and me.

Then he nods sharply and walks away.

I watch him go, noting that my heart feels nothing but pity for him.

"Well. Look at that. I'm like all noble and shit now, too."

I can't stop my eyes from rolling as I turn. "Evander," I sigh. "You're such a pain."

"Yeah, but you love me."

The word just… pops out.

After it does, he freezes, staring at me.

We haven't said it yet.

I kind of felt it. A while ago. I felt it in my chest.

And I felt it in the bond.

Evander looks at me for a minute longer before he smiles. "You know what, Briony Cane? I do love you. I'm not worried about whether you love me too, but I need you to know it. Because I love you. And it's high time you knew it."

Relief washes over me, and I squeak as he pulls me close and wraps his arms around me. "I love you too, Evander Alderwood. More than anything in the world."

"Hearing that, Bri… Shit. I love you. More than the Frat Pack. More than anything. You make my world spin, and I can't imagine one without you." His smile is everything, and in that moment, I know that my life has changed for the better. I lean forward.

"I love you too, Evander."