1. One

The rain fell in fat droplets, making it splat against my face. They mingled with my tears, hopefully hiding them from everyone around me.

I was the alpha now. I had to be strong. Nobody could know that I was secretly dying inside.

Each step forward was harder than the last. I’d have to say goodbye to my father soon when we laid him to rest in the pack plot. He should have had another twenty or more years. Instead, his life had been stolen.

I gritted my teeth at the reminder.

Lincoln touched my elbow, guiding me to the right. We led the funeral procession with my mother on my other side and my brothers and Erica right behind me.

My shoes sank into the muddy earth with a squelching sound. The steady patter of the rain was almost as loud as the pounding of my heart. It was too bad the ground wouldn’t swallow me whole and put me out of my misery.

Stop it!

A lump formed in my throat as the trees broke, and the sacred burial grounds came into view. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, my feet growing heavier with each step, like I dragged concrete blocks from around my ankles. Once we buried my father, it would be final. I’d be admitting he was truly gone.

My eyes burned, and I blinked rapidly, coughing to stifle the sob wrenching its way out. I had to be strong. The whole pack watched me. Other alphas waited for me to make one misstep so they could swoop in and challenge me.

I ground my teeth and fought with everything that I had to keep myself put together.

My mom reached for my hand, curling her fingers around mine. They were ice cold, making me shiver.

Her voice came out in a hushed whisper. “Stay strong, my love. Everyone is watching. I know how difficult this is for you, but you’re doing great.”

I cleared my throat. “How can you be so…” My mouth worked, but the sentence died on my tongue.

I knew my mom was dying inside, even if she looked calm and collected. She and my dad were fated mates. They loved each other so much. My heart ached at what she must be missing. There was a hole in my heart from Sawyer, and he was alive and well, just not here. How did she do it? She would never feel his warmth or hear him laugh again.

In public, she was like a stone statue with no emotion. It’s like she flipped a switch and turned it all off.

My mom clutched my hand a few times in rapid succession. “We have to stay strong for the pack. Your father wouldn’t want anything else to happen to any of us. That’s what keeps me going.”

She was right. The pack was looking at us. At me. Any sign of weakness, and some idiot would pounce, thinking that they could do better than me. Maybe they could. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to let them find that out.

Willa and I had made a pact. We were going to take down Alpha Dane, and I would do it as the alpha of this pack.

My heel hit a slick spot, and my right foot shot out from under me. I squeaked with surprise.

Lincoln grasped my elbow, his nails digging into the skin under my sweater as he caught me. “Are you okay?”

I clenched my jaw as I exhaled through my nose. “I just wish this day was over,” I said, careful to keep my voice low so only he could hear.

Lincoln grazed his thumb up and down my arm. “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get through this together.”

I drew in a shuddering breath and let it out as I squeezed my eyes shut. Warm tears trickled down my cheeks, mingling with the cool drops of rain. I shivered again. My breaths clouded in the frigid air.

My mom reached her other hand over and patted the back of mine. “We’re here, my love. Chin up. You’ll need to address the pack once the funeral is over.”

I darted my gaze to the freshly dug hole, and mud swirled in puddles around the opening. The air whooshed out of my lungs, and suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.

My knees wobbled, and Lincoln’s grip tightened as he supported me. I cursed under my breath when my feet slid on the ground again. The last thing I needed was to fall on my butt in this slop in front of everyone.

My mom tugged on my hand, pulling me to the right. She didn’t stop until we stood at the head of the plot. I fixated on the hole, endless, cold, and dark. We were going to put my dad in there. I clenched my jaw as hard as I could to keep from crying.

Mark patted my shoulder as he moved to stand behind me. Erica sobbed between Mark and Brandon as they tried to console her with hushed whispers.

My mother’s bottom lip trembled, and she sniffled before that perfectly calm composure slipped over her features again.

I snapped my attention to the rest of the procession. The enforcers carried the casket. The rain beat against it, thumping so loudly that it deafened me.

They stopped next to the small stand and rested the coffin on top of it.

I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out as the rest of the pack filed in. I nibbled on my lower lip until the coppery tang of blood flooded my mouth.

I swiped my tongue over the cut. Probably not a good idea to do that again.

My mom gave my hand one last squeeze before she let go. “Everyone is here now,” she whispered.

I tilted my head up, taking everyone in. There were so many familiar faces, my pack mates in the front. I could trust them. That, I was sure of. It was the other packs who had come here I had to win over like my father had.

I pursed my lips and straightened my shoulders as I pulled away from Lincoln. I’d written a speech on a piece of notebook paper. Half the night I’d stared at the blank white paper, waiting for the right words to come. I fumbled in my pocket, my pants now soaked through, and the paper slipped between my fingers. Worse, it felt like it was dissolving.

Great. I’d have to wing it.

“Thank you for coming today.” My voice came out stronger than I would have thought possible.

I swallowed and pushed on. “Leading the pack was one of my father’s greatest achievements. He was a wonderful alpha, father, and husband. There wasn’t a single wolf or human he met who he wouldn’t help. I am grateful that I got to call him father and alpha. He will be greatly missed.”

I fisted my hands at my sides and then flexed them out again. All eyes stayed on me.

“Losing an alpha is never easy, especially when they are beloved, generous, and kind like Alpha David. We can all only hope to have as much love, kindness, and strength in our heart as he did.”

I licked my lips. “Today we lay him to rest and set him at peace in his eternal resting place.”

My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat.

Keep it together. You can do this.

I jutted my chin out. “Luna has a plan for us all. My father believed that, and I do too. His death will not be in vain. We will rally together against our oppressors. They have taken our alpha, our friends, and family, but we will not let them take our spirit. My father wholeheartedly believed that we have to fight for what we believe in and do what it takes to make it right.”

I curled my fingers into my palms, so hard that they dug into my skin, and I was sure I would draw blood. “He couldn’t have been more right. We honor him by carrying on his values and beliefs, by continuing to fight for what is not only right for us but for all packs.”

I met everyone’s eyes who had the courage to look at me. Willa gave me a small smile and a nod.

My heart warmed. I’d known her for years, but during these past weeks, she had become a trusted friend and sister. I was glad to have her here with me.

I planted my feet and stood taller. “We lost good men and women last night. Friends, family, those we love. Alpha Dane is a violent man who must be stopped. As your alpha, I promise you we will continue this fight until his pack is dismantled. Our alpha, our loved ones’ deaths, will not be in vain. I give you my word.”

I motioned to my right to the pack minister. I took a step back so he could stand up front and provide the eulogy.

A weight gripped me, pinning me down, and fresh tears burned my eyes as he spoke. Lincoln enveloped me with an arm around my waist as my mother reached for my hand, slipping her frigid fingers into mine again.

She flicked her attention to me for a moment. “You did good, my love.”

I hoped she was right. After losing an alpha was the perfect time to challenge when the pack was shaken and emotions were at an all-time high. We had several other packs here. Other alphas. They had submitted to my father, but not to me. Any of them, or anyone really, could decide I was unfit to lead.

Sawyer’s voice filled my head. Anyone who dares will meet your wrath. We won’t let you lose your position. Your father chose you for a reason. I know that.

Lincoln pulled me into him as he spoke to me through our link as well. Sawyer’s right. We won’t let you fail. You are stronger than you realize.

My father had said that to me too.

I gritted my teeth, my attention returning to the coffin. The rain had picked up as if Luna herself wept for the loss of my father.

Sawyer embraced me, his mouth against my ear. We are here with you, Sloane. You are not alone. I hope you know that.

I bowed my head. I know.

I didn’t know what I would do without them.

Sawyer kissed my cheek. Mikey’s death has bought you some time. My father is giving him a proper burial as well. It will be tomorrow.

My bottom lip trembled, and I tucked it between my teeth to steady it.

Lincoln exhaled. He doesn’t deserve a proper burial. Not after everything he has done.

Sawyer made a noise in the back of his throat. This isn’t about Mikey. We are here for Sloane today. He kissed my cheek again.

I put my hand over his and let it linger for a moment before dropping it back to my side. No one could see Sawyer except Lincoln and me. Only a select few knew about my bond with him. I was going to keep it that way, and since people were watching, I didn’t need anyone thinking I was crazy.

Sawyer exhaled and let his forehead fall onto my shoulder. I have to go now, Sloane. I am so sorry about your father. I’m glad I got to meet him.

My mouth went dry. Me too.

Sawyer pulled back. I love you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

With that, he was gone as fast as he’d come.

I turned my attention back to the eulogy. The words echoed through the air, but I wasn’t really hearing them.

I shivered as an image of my father’s broken, bloody body came to mind. He’d struggled so hard to stay for me. He was one of the bravest men I knew.

I flicked my eyes back to the pack. I would not let him down.

The minister’s words pierced the air with a familiar prayer to Luna, and then he turned to me, offering me his hand. “Alpha Sloane, are you prepared to take on the role of alpha from Alpha David?”

My pulse roared as I took his hand. “I am.”

My fingers trembled, and he clasped them tightly in his as he narrowed his eyes, focusing his attention on the pack before addressing me again. “Do you promise to protect this pack and each member to the best of your abilities?”

“I do.” My voice caught in my throat, making it shake for a second.

“And do you promise to act in the interest of the pack at all times?”

“I do.” This time, it came out strong and determined.

He held up my hand. “I present to you your alpha, Alpha Sloane. Should anyone see any reason she should not be alpha, speak now...”

He peered out at the crowd.

Butterflies fluttered in my belly as my head spun. I stared out at the pack, holding my breath.

And then one alpha from another pack stepped forward.