Page 17 of Noah

If Cooper weren’t the pack alpha, I might’ve thrown my clipboard at his head.

But he was, so I did the next best thing: straightened my shirt, squared my shoulders, and faced the Parker brothers.

Hudson’s jaw was tight, his expression stoic but unmistakably tense. I forced a smile, trying to diffuse the tension.

“Hudson,” I said, stepping forward. “I don’t know if you remember me.”

His eyes flicked over me briefly before he gave a curt grunt, shook my hand firmly, and brushed past without another word.

That left me alone with Jackson.

I hesitated, and for a moment, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at him.

The way his shirt clung to his chest, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the veins in his forearms.

His hair caught the sunlight, just a little longer than I remembered, and the faint stubble along his jawline only added to the effortless charm he seemed to carry.

Heat prickled at the back of my neck, and for some reason, Cooper’s earlier warning echoed in my mind: No entanglements beyond what’s strictly professional.

I paused for a beat, breathing in sharply as if to clear the air, but the thought wouldn’t leave.

It hit me all over again, unhelpfully vivid.

I mentally shook the thoughts away and muttered, “C’mon.”

We were halfway to the pack house when I felt it. A familiar hand in my hair, a quick, easy ruffle, just like he used to do...

“You haven’t changed a bit,” Jackson said with a soft chuckle.

The sound of his laugh made my heart skip a beat, and I hated how much I liked it.

Chapter 5

Jackson

“Cooper,while I understand that your predecessor’s actions were no fault of yours, you can’t simply expect any of us to trust you without question,” the alpha of one of the larger packs began, his voice heavy with skepticism.

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, other alphas nodding or crossing their arms in a show of doubt. It wasn’t surprising.

Ryder, the previous alpha of the Pecan Pines Pack, had ruled with a brutal, isolating hand. Trust wasn’t going to be given easily.

“I get it,” another alpha chimed in. “We’ve all heard about the changes you’re trying to make, but words are just words, Cooper. What assurance do we have that you can lead differently?”

Cooper, standing at the head of the table, didn’t flinch. He met each gaze with calm confidence, his hands resting lightly on the back of his chair.

“I understand your concerns,” Cooper said, his voice steady, “but actions speak louder than words. Over the past few months, I’veworked to dismantle Ryder’s harmful policies and open our pack to stronger alliances. The fact that we’re hosting this summit should show you that we’re serious about change.”

The room was tense, a palpable undercurrent of skepticism lingering in the air. Still, Cooper remained composed, his eyes scanning the room, gauging the mood.

“I’m not asking for blind trust. I’m asking for the opportunity to prove Pecan Pines is moving in a new direction,” Cooper added.

Another alpha leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “And how do you propose we verify that? You have to understand, Cooper, we can’t afford to be naive.”

Cooper nodded, his lips curving into a slight, understanding smile. “I propose we strengthen our communication. More frequent inter-pack gatherings, transparency in our dealings, and an open invitation for any of you to visit our territory unannounced. You’ll see for yourselves that Pecan Pines is not the same pack it was under Ryder.”

His diplomacy was impressive. Despite the alphas’ reservations, Cooper managed to keep the conversation on course, steering it back to the potential for unity rather than division.

I found myself nodding in approval. This was the kind of leadership that could mend the rifts between packs. I should have been fully present, soaking in the political maneuvering.

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