Page 91 of Can't Be Love

“What’s all this about?” I asked when an awkward silence came over the room.

“Son, have you had a chance to discuss with Lily what we talked about the other day?”

He was speaking cryptically, and I didn’t like it. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”

“Your father is ready to step down as Alpha, Thomas,” Titus said.

“We have discussed that,” Lily admitted.

“And did you have any concerns? You are very young to assume the responsibilities of Pack Mother,” Dad said.

Lily nodded. “I am, but no younger than Kelsey was when she took over in Westin Pack. Plus, you must remember, I was raised by a Pack Mother. I know exactly what this duty entails.”

“And you feel that you’re ready for such a role in the Pack?” Victor asked her.

Lily looked at me, and winked. “Victor, what I know is that my full allegiance has already shifted to Collier Pack. If I had any doubts in that, they were put to rest today. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my Pack. Whether the call to Pack Mother comes in twenty years or twenty minutes from now, I will be ready, as long as that is what is best for the Pack.”

The men looked around the room at each other, nodding. It took a lot to hold my tongue, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what was going on.

“Thomas, the Grand Council voted this afternoon, and we agree with your mate. The two of you will be a fine legacy to Collier Pack. At your father’s insistence, and upon validating his concerns personally, as I have expressed to the Council, it was also agreed that the transfer of power should begin immediately.”

My chest tightened as his words sunk in.

Titus continued. “The process will occur over the next six months, and as such, we are canceling your mating challenges. You two will have more than enough to deal with, without that hanging over your heads.” He paused and smiled, then nodded. “Congratulations!”

I knew my mouth was hanging open, but I couldn’t seem to shut it, until Lily looked up at me, shook her head with a snort, and shut it for me. “Thank you,” she said graciously, for the both of us.

I shook hands with each of the men present, still unable to form a coherent thought.

“Take the rest of the week off and spend some time with your mate, son.”

I hugged my father.

“I’m really proud of you. Both of you.”

“Okay, then. It’s been a really long day. With a whole lot to process. I think I’m going to take this guy and head home now, if that’s okay,” Lily said, and they all smiled and nodded their approval.

This time we didn’t quite make it back to the truck, when Clara stopped us. “Hey, I hate to tell you this, because I’m sure you just want to get home and, ew, do whatever it is you do, but your boys just started a big bonfire out in the field and the whole town is headed that way. Apparently it’s turned into a potluck celebration and they’re talking about a midnight run as well.”

I growled softly as Lily elbowed me in the chest.

“Six Pack parties are legendary,” I warned her. “It’s sort of their way of saying welcome to the family.”

“So we should go?” she asked.

“Yes, you should at least make an appearance,” Clara confirmed as I nodded with a sigh.

We were greeted like royalty this time as Dad and the Council somehow managed to arrive before us and had already made the official announcement regarding him stepping down as Alpha. I wasn’t prepared for the response, and in truth, Lily handled it better than I did. Her hand never left mine and she gave me encouraging squeezes at exactly the times I needed them.

From the moment we arrived, people came up, offered their congratulations, and bared their necks to us. It was overwhelming after an already emotional day.

After the initial shock of it all, we blended in with the rest of our Pack and enjoyed a fun, stress-free, challenge-free, celebration. It was even fun, but at the first chance to take off, I grabbed Lily’s hand and made a run for it. We got a few giggles and knowing stares along the way, but I couldn’t have cared less.

When I pulled up in front of our house, we sat there in the truck for a few minutes not even talking, just taking in all that had happened in the absolute longest day of our lives.

“You okay?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, it’s just a lot. You know? And I am exhausted.”

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