Page 29 of Fated Wolf's Destiny

“She’s not the problem,” I say. “The Crimson Claw is. They’ve been pushing closer every night. We’ve already confirmed their activity near the clinic. If anyone’s threatening our secrecy, it’s them.”

“You’re deflecting,” Marlow says sharply. “You’ve been spending too much time near her, Ryder. And your brother spends even more time with her in blatant disregard of our orders. The pack has noticed. It’s compromising your judgment.”

My wolf growls low in my chest, the sound barely audible but enough to draw their attention. “My brother, the pack’s beta, takes orders only from me. And for the record, old man, my judgment has not been compromised. Bella isn’t a danger to us unless we make her one.”

“You’re the alpha,” Tannis snaps, leaning forward. “Act like it.”

The words hang in the air, heavy and biting, and my wolf roars against the restraint I’ve been holding all night. Before I can respond, Lucas speaks up from his place near the far wall, his voice calm but firm.

“I would advise you not to push my brother when he’s feeling moody. I don’t do it, and he loves me. You people he has to work up the energy to pretend he even likes or respects. But be that as it may, pushing Bella away isn’t the answer,” he says, his arms crossed. “If anything, it’ll do the opposite. Bella’s not juststubborn; she’s smart. And she’s not just some random outsider. She’s connected to the town, the people, and, like it or not, to Arthur and this pack. You shove her out, and she’ll start asking questions you don’t want her to ask… ones you don’t want to answer and by ‘you,’ I don’t mean the pack… I mean each of you individually.”

Marlow scowls, his gaze narrowing on Lucas. “What would you suggest then? Invite her to the next pack meeting? Let her in on centuries of tradition and secrecy?”

Lucas doesn’t flinch. “Why not?” he says, his tone steady. “What are you trying to hide that she doesn’t already know? We don’t need to treat her like the enemy. She’s a veterinarian. She has access to human resources, law enforcement, and expertise we don’t. With the birthrate crisis and the Crimson Claw pushing in, maybe she’s more of an asset than you’re willing to admit.”

“An asset?” Tannis’s voice drips with disdain. “You want to bring a human into our affairs because of a few useful skills?”

“She’s notjusthuman,” Lucas counters, his voice hardening. “You all keep forgetting that. She’s a vet that Arthur trained and has shifter blood. She’s one of us, regardless of whether or not she can shift. And that connection might make her the bridge we need.”

The room falls silent, the Elders exchanging wary glances. Marlow turns back to me, his expression unyielding. “You’re the alpha, Ryder. It’s your responsibility to protect this pack. That means putting the pack first, above any attachment or... personal interest.”

“You’re right. I am alpha. Is there someone who would like to challenge me for leadership?” I ask with an edge of steel in my voice. The Elders have pushed too far, and it’s time to remind them that it is I who am alpha; and I whose word is law.

The Elders look between themselves, Tannis looking like she wants to argue, but Marlow raises his hand, silencing her.

“Well?” Nothing but silence in response to my question. “Let me be clear, I am not abandoning my duty to this pack,” I say, my voice low but firm. “But keeping Bella close may be the only way to control the situation. She already knows about shifters, about the pack, and is convinced Arthur didn’t just die of natural causes. We cannot afford to alienate her. If we do, we lose any hope of having her help us.”

“Fine,” Marlow says grudgingly. “But tread carefully, Ryder. The moment her curiosity becomes a liability, you’ll have to deal with it or your…”

“Yeah, I know, it’ll be my head. But you’d better watch yourselves, as well, or else it will be your heads set on spikes as a warning to others. You are here to advise and share your wisdom with me—not your prejudice, and not your bitterness. But you and your guard answer to me. If I believe you are sowing dissension or sedition within our ranks, I will banish you without a second thought.”

The threat lingers in the air, and I fight the urge to bare my teeth. Instead, I turn and walk away, Lucas falling in behind me.

As we leave the chamber, Lucas follows with a goofy grin. “There’s the big brother I know and love. You handled that better than I thought you would,” he says.

“Don’t push it,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

He chuckles, but the sound is tinged with something heavier. “You know they’re scared, right? The birthrate crisis, the Crimson Claw, Bella... it’s all hitting them at once, and they don’t know how to handle it.”

“I know,” I say, my voice quiet.

Lucas steps closer, his expression softening. “You’re doing the right thing, Ryder. Even if they don’t see it yet.”

I meet his gaze, grateful for the support but too tired to say it. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

“I am,” he says confidently.

Later that night, I stand at the edge of the forest, staring out at the clinic. The lights are still on inside, casting a warm glow against the darkness. I can see Bella moving through the room, her movements quick and purposeful as she looks at and sorts through Arthur’s notes.

She doesn’t know how deep she’s in. The pack is watching her, the Crimson Claw is circling closer, and every instinct in me screams to protect her, to pull her out of this mess before it’s too late.

The woods stretch out around me, dark and restless. The usual calm of the forest is gone, replaced by a thread of danger I can’t shake. Every sound seems sharper, every scent more potent. The wind carries the usual smells of the forest, but there’s something else, something bitter—the faint, unmistakable musk of the mutants.

I crouch near a broken branch, the splintered wood catching the moonlight. Deep red claw marks score the bark, too fresh to ignore. My wolf stirs beneath my skin, a low growl rumbling in my chest as I run my fingers over the marks. They’re testing us, inching closer to the borders every night.

The pack is on edge, but I can’t show weakness. Not now. Not ever. Being alpha means carrying the responsibility of their survival and their safety, no matter how heavy the burden gets. And tonight, it feels almost unbearable.

I rise, scanning the forest with sharp eyes, ears attuned to every whisper of movement. The mutants are gone for now, but they’ll be back. They always come back.

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