48. Mai

Ryan and I stood on the platform, our eyes meeting for a heartbeat. Even amidst the chaos, that connection felt like an anchor. My broken wrist already felt better. Ryan had insisted I take the super-strong painkillers Thomas had brought with him, then I"d done another partial Shift with it. By the time it had Shifted back into a human hand, Thomas had felt along it and declared the bones were probably fixed, though he wanted to do a proper check-up as soon as we got back to Three Rivers. I"d been shocked at how fast the bones had healed, but as Thomas pointed out, there were definitely some upsides to being an Alpha.

Ryan was next to me, his face a mosaic of bruises and scrapes, his eyes a blazing blue inferno. He was angry that Korrin had interfered, furious that Brock had gotten away. I agreed. Leaving them both alive meant they would come back at us in the future. We'd have to watch our backs until they'd been taken care of.

I looked into the crowd. Derek was there, his left arm held at an odd angle. He was hovering near Sofia. Her face was pale, her fiery red hair a mess, but she was staring at me with a look of excitement on her face. With everything that had happened with Sam and then her getting taken, I hadn't had time to tell her that she was wrong about Derek and Shya. Although, from the possessive looks that Derek was giving her, I was pretty sure she'd find out soon enough.

Wally was next to Sofia, blood seeping from a cut on his head. Thomas was trying to stem the blood, but Wally waved Thomas off, flicked the blood away, then gave me a grin and a thumbs up.

Mason had told me that Shya had gone back to Bridgetown after Tristan's attack on their convoy to guard her brothers. Mason was huddled in a group of about fifteen werewolves. I recognized them as some of Jem's enforcers and I was guessing these were the people who fought on our side, who never joined Brock's crew. Most of them looked worn out and beaten up, but they were all standing. I memorized their faces. I owed them. They believed in us, put their lives on the line for me and Ryan. I would do everything I could to make sure they were safe, and I would protect them with my life.

Camille and Michael jumped onto the platform beside us. Michael nodded to us both, while Camille grinned at me.

"You did good," she whispered above the restless murmurs of the crowd.

I inclined my head to her. "You supported us, offered us sanctuary when we most needed it. We owe you a debt."

"Perhaps," Camille paused, looking out over the people waiting in front of the platform, her eyes coming to rest on Mason. "This is just the start, though. I'm quite sure there will be plenty of opportunities for you to repay the favor."

I got the uneasy feeling that she knew about Mason's feelings for Shya, and wondered for a moment if she was going to ask us to keep Mason away from her daughter. I followed Camille's gaze to where Mason was chatting with the enforcers. He glanced up at me, his face full of pride, and I knew no matter what Camille asked for, I would have Mason's back.

"Are you ready?" Michael's question cut through my thoughts.

I glanced at Ryan. He was looking down at me with such a look of love of his face that I had a sudden urge to jump him right here.

Ryan knew what I was thinking, and his grin turned wicked. "Patience, Mai."

I narrowed my eyes at him, then nodded at Michael. "We're ready."

A hush came over the crowd. They knew what was coming. Butterflies started swarming in my stomach.

Michael turned to face everyone. "By the laws that bind us and the traditions that guide us, the Alphas of the Bridgetown Pack recognize Ryan Shaw and Mai Parker as the new Alphas of the Three Rivers Pack. Are there any here who would challenge our word?"

I held my breath.

It was only a moment, though it felt like a year, before Camille declared, "Ryan Shaw and Mai Parker, you are hereby recognized by Pack laws as the new Alpha pair of the Three Rivers Pack. Guide your family well."

The crowd erupted into howls and cheers, a wave of sound that washed over me. I grinned as Michael grabbed my good hand, and one of Ryan's, and held them up in the air. I felt it in my blood, in my soul, and through our bond. This was right. This was meant to be.