Chapter 7 - Evan

"You're going to have your hands full with that one," Rafe comments as we make our way down the hall and out the front door.

"Thanks for that, by the way," I snip. "You really picked a winner, didn't you?"

"Hey, how was I supposed to know she'd be such a smartass?" he asks. "You know, she might actually be perfect for you. The two of you can bicker and argue all day, and you'll never have to worry about getting bored."

"That's not the kind of wife I need. I need someone who is willing to be an obedient, dutiful mate."

Rafe barks out a laugh. "Looks like we picked up the wrong stray, then. Because that girl is a hellcat, and the only way you're going to make her obedient is if you have a cattle prod and a muzzle."

I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. He's not wrong. Mia isn't what I expected, not by a long shot. She's feisty, and she's not afraid to stand up for herself. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when she's challenging an alpha, she's playing with fire.

"Food, Rafe," I say, changing the subject. "We need to get the hunting party out there again, and we need to figure out a plan for if they come back empty-handed."

"We still have the root cellar," he reminds me. "We'll be okay until we can get some fresh meat."

"That won't feed the entire pack. We have a lot of mouths to feed, and the stores will only last so long. Something tells me this is a byproduct of the curse. With the deadline looming, it seems like the universe is trying to force me to move forward. Trying to force the issue, you know?"

"It's possible, but there's also the chance that this is just a string of bad luck."

I groan, running my fingers through my hair. There are just so many variables, and with everything on the line, it's almost impossible to determine what's the curse's doing and what's just coincidence.

"I'd rather not risk it. Let's just get this marriage in motion and hope that's the end of it. It's not ideal, but we're running out of time."

I change direction and head straight for Mildred's cabin while Rafe keeps going to the storage shed. Mildred is the only person in the pack who is ordained, so she's our go-to person when it comes to matters of the heart and the spirit. The woman is the oldest wolf I've ever met, and she's a walking, talking history book. Since she's an elder, I have every reason to expect that she'll understand the urgency here as well as the need for discretion. I won't have to worry about her questioning my motives or asking too many questions when I drag Mia kicking and screaming to the altar.

She's in the front of her cabin when I arrive, hanging sheets on the clothesline. She doesn't see me at first, and I hesitate before making my presence known. Mildred looks frailer than I've ever seen her. Her thin white hair is piled on top of her head, and the bones of her shoulders poke through the skin of her back. She's lost weight, and at her age, that's not a good sign.

"Mildred," I say, announcing myself. "How are you?"

She turns, and her smile lights up her entire face. "Evan. You're just the man I was hoping to see. How's my favorite alpha doing?"

"I'm okay. Busy, but that's the way it is," I chuckle, reaching for a sheet and pinning it to the line for her. "How are you holding up?"

"Oh, I'm old," she laughs. "My bones are starting to creak, and my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be. But other than that, I can't complain."

"We're lucky to have you around. The whole pack is," I say, pausing for a moment. "There's a reason I came looking for you. There's something I'd like to discuss with you, if you have a minute."

"Of course, dear. What can I do for you?" She stops what she's doing, giving me her complete attention. That's something I've always appreciated about her. Mildred is a great listener, and she doesn't jump to conclusions or offer her opinions unless you ask for them.

"There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it," I tell her, taking a deep breath. "I'm getting married."

Her face splits into a wide grin. "Oh, my word! That's wonderful news, Evan. Why didn't you say so sooner? I'm so happy for you, honey."

"Thanks. It's... a surprise, really," I reply, trying to keep my tone even. "But, like I said, it's important that I do this. We're going to hold the ceremony tomorrow, and I was hoping you'd be willing to officiate. The bride is... less than thrilled, but as I said, it's important. I think the sooner, the better."

I can tell from the look on her face that she has questions, but in true Mildred fashion, she holds her tongue.

"Of course, Evan. You know I'd do anything for you and your family. Just let me know what time, and I'll be there."

"Nine am," I answer, the words tasting like acid in my mouth.

"May I ask who the lucky lady is?"

"I doubt you know her. Mia Oliver. She's from Stardust Hollow."

"You can't marry that little tramp," a voice growls from behind me.

I turn around, deliberately taking my time. "Excuse me?"

"You're going to marry a Stardust Hollow mutt?" Gene asks. "Have you gone insane? I figured your brother brought her here to give you a good, quick fuck. I never imagined it was because you intended to marry her."

I wince at his crass language, flashing an apologetic look at the older woman beside me, who is clutching her chest in shock. "Thank you, Mildred," I say to her. "I'll see you in the morning. Gene, come with me."

I stalk away from the house, not waiting for Gene to catch up. His words make my blood boil. He should have known better than to question me in front of someone else, especially an elder. Maybe I've been letting my brother get away with too much bullshit. It's giving the other wolves ideas, and that's a recipe for disaster.

When we've put some distance between Mildred's cabin and us, I stop and whirl around, raving mad. "Don't ever speak to me like that again, Gene. Your job is not to question my decisions. Your job is to keep this pack in order. To help me protect it. You have no authority here. None. So the next time you think about speaking to me with such disrespect, remember that the only reason you're not rotting in a hole is because you're useful to me. Is that clear?"

He bows his head, showing the proper respect, but that's not good enough. I want to see his fucking belly.

"I asked you a question, Gene. I expect an answer."

"Yes, alpha," he hisses. "It's clear."

"Good. I'm doing what is necessary to ensure the survival of this pack."

"All I meant, sir, is that there are many other packs in the area. I'm sure you have a reason for looking outside our own for a mate, but... Stardust Hollow? Really? They're the worst of the bunch. They're no better than humans. You know what happened with them last year. You're going to have a difficult time getting the pack to accept her as luna. You have to know that. Why would you even consider this? Why would you choose her?"

His words are true, but I'll never admit that. Not out loud, anyway.

"Gene, when an alpha gives an order, he expects his wolves to follow it. No questions, no objections, no hesitation. I gave an order. My mate will be Mia Oliver, and that's all you need to know. I won't tolerate your insolence or anyone else's. I won't be questioned, and I won't be defied. Is that clear?"

"It's clear, Alpha."

I glare at him for a few seconds longer before walking away. I don't have time for this. I have a thousand and one things to take care of, and standing here, watching the man squirm, isn't one of them.

I'm not going to stand in front of one of my subordinates and justify my choices to him. I don't need him to tell me this situation isn't ideal. I'm more than aware. But, like I told him, I'm doing what needs to be done.

I just wish my brother hadn't brought the girl here in the first place. I have no doubt that he was doing it to taunt me. It was an attempt to show me up. Since I couldn't find myself a mate, he found one for me. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. We had a plan. A well-thought-out plan that would benefit the entire pack. Now, that's all out the window.

Rafe and I were supposed to do our research. We were going to head over to Stardust Hollow tonight and keep our heads down, watch, and listen. The plan was to find a female who had no family. Someone who wouldn't be missed. Someone submissive, easy to control and manipulate. All we needed was a symbol. Someone from Stardust Hollow to bear our mark and our name so we could show our pack that we hold a position of authority in this region. That nobody fucked with Green Lake and got away with it. Including and especially Ram.

Now, I'm going to be married to the most difficult female I've ever met. I know nothing about her or her life back home. For all I know, there are people looking for her right now. Any minute, our territory could be swarming with angry shifters, demanding her return. At this point, I have no choice but to rush this marriage along, and now it's not even just because of the curse. They can't take her if she's my wife. If we're already bound.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

This isn't how things were supposed to work out. I've been doing everything I can to keep the pack safe. To keep them healthy and prosperous. And now the one time I need Rafe to fall in line, to stop fucking around and get serious, he pulls this shit.

I know his intentions were good. He thought he was helping. But now, he's made an even bigger mess for us to clean up. And even worse, other pack members are looking at the example he's setting and thinking it's acceptable. That they can defy me and get away with it.

This is the kind of shit that leads to rebellion, and there is no room for that in Green Lake. I'm the alpha. The leader. The decision maker. The one who keeps the peace and ensures everyone is safe. I can't have the rest of the pack second-guessing me. And I definitely can't have my own brother, a fellow enforcer and an officer, making moves that put our people at risk.

If Rafe hadn't brought Mia back here, we could have handled the curse and the deadline with no issues. We could have continued our plans, and by the end of the week, the curse would be broken and we could move on with our lives with an obedient luna by my side. But no. He just had to go and stick his nose where it doesn't belong.

And now, the only option we have is to make Mia a part of our world.

As if things weren't bad enough.