Page 7 of Dawn of the Pack

“I know, but if you couldn’t?” I press, grateful he can’t see my expression when I ask; he’d know immediately I wasn’t talking about the three of them. “Could I just claim you in name?”

“From what I remember of Pack History classes, that has never been an issue. So I really can’t give you an answer, but maybe Mr. Carson would know? He’s the pack historian, after all. Or maybe the pack seer, since it’s more about how the magic works than anything. But I always assumed it was the act of running together with the pack as witnesses that seals the deal.” He squeezes me again, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Regardless, it’s not something you need to worry your pretty head about. We would never fail to be there for you. Again, assuming you choose to claim us.”

Milo’s efforts to avoid pressuring me are sweet, but even I can hear the conviction in his tone when he talks about the three of them being my mates. It’s such a foregone conclusion for him; he talks about our future status as mates in the same casual way he describes the color of the sky, as if it’s obvious to anyone who can see it.

My ache for Derrek has a new sense of urgency. Not only do I need to get him back, to have him here with me where he’s safe; I need him to bond, somehow, with Milo, Jared, and Landon before the next lunar eclipse, which is a little over a month away. Of course, that includes me explaining the entire mess to all four of them.

Which brings me back to the matter at hand: Rescuing Derrek.

I pull away from Milo and claim his hand, tugging him toward the door. “I suppose we should see how far Dom and Roxanne have gotten in the rescue planning.”

As it turns out, not very far. The leftovers from a lunch tray are congealing on plates they’ve piled on a nearby cart, and they’re both clutching coffee cups despite the mid-afternoon hour.

Dom is still stubbornly insisting on working slowly and quietly behind the scenes to reconnect with his Pack Montrose contacts, and planning the wolf pack equivalent of a hostage exchange.

Roxanne has apparently convinced him that Derrek is valuable for us to bring in, but not that he could be in imminent danger.

“I’m telling you, Nielsen will not hurt his only heir. We have time to do this the right way.”

“How do you know Derrek is his only heir?” Roxanne counters. “He could have claimed him for a number of reasons, not just out of necessity. And most of those reasons are not anything that’ll be good for us, I guarantee it.”

Dom sighs heavily. “It’s widely known in Pack Montrose that Nielsen’s mate died during the birth of their first child. He hasn’t taken another mate, which only leaves the boy.”

“Clearly he sowed some wild oats despite having a mate, given Derrek’s existence in the first place. It’s not too much of a stretch to believe that he may have other children we don’t know about.”

I join them at the table, and Milo fixes us both a mug of coffee from a nearby carafe before he settles in beside me.

“Did you get some fresh air?” Roxanne smiles warmly in my direction, even though her eyes are tired. Clearly, arguing with my uncle wears on her.

“Yes, getting outside was a good reset. Perhaps you both should take a break?”

“No need to worry about us. We’re both committed to being here and figuring out a plan,” Dom answers. “We can keep the coffee coming all night if we need to.”

Drawing on Milo’s supportive presence, I state, “Good, because I want him out of Montrose territory by the end of this week.”

A worried expression crosses Roxanne’s face as she glances between me and Dom.

“No way,” my uncle answers decisively. “We don’t want to go in there half-cocked and start a war with them over someone who isn’t even part of our pack. I know he’s your friend, and I know you’re worried about him. But we’re not Seal Team Seven, and he’s not a high-value pack member. I’m still not convinced this is even something we should focus on right now.”

Fury rises like a wave in my ears, dulling every sound but the powerful beating of my heart. It takes everything I have not to scream at him. Derrek is as important to me as one of my own limbs, which I’d happily sacrifice to get him back.

I take a moment to choose my words, then speak in the most respectful tone I can manage. “I appreciate your input, Dom, but I disagree. Derrek is our connection to the family that cast the curse, and he may be our best shot at undoing it. You yourself believed the answers lay with Pack Montrose, and I can’t think of a single benevolent reason for Avery Nielsen to sneak into our territory to claim him. If it was for an innocent reason, he would have gone about it differently. That he forced Derrek to go with him tells me Derrek is in danger; he’s obviously being held against his will or we’d have heard from him by now.”

Dom waves me off dismissively. “Have you considered that he made that move to test our defenses? We’ve shored up the weakness for now, but don’t believe for a single second that Nielsen isn’t looking for a way to get one over on us. We don’t know how many of our pack members may be compromised. Before we even think about attacking another pack, we have to get our own house in order.”

Rage simmers under my skin. “I know I still have a lot to learn about being alpha, but it is my job to protect my pack. I’m confident in the current status of the Smoky Falls wolves.

“Derrek was taking care of me when none of you knew I existed. To me, he’s pack, and he’s in danger. His witch of a cousin is definitely planning something, and I don’t intend to sit around and find out what it is when we’re too late to do anything about it.”

My uncle’s voice rises, his tone both snide and condescending. “You’re practically still a kid, Lily, and you have no idea what it means to have people’s lives in your hands—being alpha isn’t just power, it’s responsibility. And that responsibility is the safety of the pack, not some guy you lived with as a teenage runaway.”

Milo bristles beside me. “Now wait a minute-”

Roxanne speaks at the same time in a gentler tone. “Dom, I think you ought to-”

But I’ve had enough of his holier-than-though attitude. My wolf demands that I put him in his place and remind him who the alpha is. Standing, I slam my hands on the table to get everyone’s attention.

My gaze is laser-focused on my uncle’s incredulous expression. “You may have been alpha in my absence, but you no longer hold that responsibility.” The alpha voice is so strong it almost feels as if it reverberates through the room. “I am the alpha, and I am the one who makes all decisions for the Smoky Falls Pack. I respect your opinion, but don’t presume to give me orders. I give the orders, and I am saying we will rescue Derrek by the end of this week, if not sooner. Every day he’s in Montrose is a day he’s in danger. I’ve heard your thoughts on what should be done, and I have chosen a different course. Now your job is to help me create a plan and execute it. I don’t want to force my will onto anyone, but the alpha has that power for a reason. Don’t make me use it.”

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