Page 13 of Noah

The weight of Cooper’s words settled over the room, but for me, they hit differently.

The mention of the summit made my stomach churn. As a kid, I hadn’t cared much about pack politics or alliances.

Back then, summits were just an excuse to explore, push boundaries, and get into trouble while the adults droned on about treaties and territories.

But after what happened at the last one...

Ryder’s coup had blindsided us all. Not long after that summit, he’d challenged Cooper’s father, defeated him in a brutal show of force, and taken over the pack.

What followed were years of isolation, with Ryder cutting us off from the outside world and ruling with a heavy hand.

Deep down, I knew the incident at the Thornebane summit hadn’t caused it.

That stupid game we played—Jackson, Adrian, and I—and what happened afterward wasn’t what tipped the scales.

But part of me couldn’t shake the gnawing fear that it had. That maybe, somehow, it had jinxed everything.

It was irrational. Ridiculous. I knew that. I’d been just a kid, reckless and impulsive, with no grasp of the consequences my actions could have on the pack.

And yet, the guilt clung to me like a shadow, refusing to fade no matter how many times I told myself it wasn’t my fault.

But it didn’t matter now. I couldn’t afford to let those old feelings drag me under again. This summit was too important.

Cooper needed to make a good impression—not just as our new pack alpha, but as one of the youngest to ever lead Pecan Pines. He had to show that we could stand strong again after Ryder’s reign.

And with tensions already simmering between the Silvercrest and Thornebane packs—their proximity to each other ensured that—the last thing anyone needed was more fuel added to the fire.

Cooper’s voice pulled me back to the present. “So here’s what I expect from everyone. First, be on your best behavior—respect the guests, their customs, and their boundaries. Second, if a fight breaks out, de-escalate. No retaliation unless absolutely necessary. Third, stay focused. This summit is about diplomacy, not personal vendettas.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. “And lastly, no... entanglements beyond what’s strictly professional.”

A few chuckles rippled through the group, but I didn’t join in. My stomach twisted uncomfortably at that last rule, even though I had no intention of breaking it.

I glanced down at the clipboard one last time, my thumb brushing over Jackson’s name again.

Memories threatened to pull me under, but I shoved them aside. With a decisive flick, I closed the clipboard and got to my feet.

Chapter 4

Jackson/ Noah

JACKSON

The next morning, I slid into the car, keeping my expression neutral as my father followed suit, settling into the seat with his usual commanding presence.

Hudson was already in the back, arms crossed, glaring out the window.

I had hoped for a quiet ride, time to gather my thoughts before the summit, but that hope was dashed the moment our father insisted on Hudson and me riding together.

The pressure in the car was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words.

I leaned my head against the window, willing myself to tune out Hudson and our father.

"When I heard about what happened last night, I thought I would need to clean up after you—the two of you again," our father said, the words sharp and loaded.

He corrected himself at the last moment, but it didn’t matter. We both caught the implication.

Hudson stiffened beside me, his jaw clenched tight, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the seat. The correction was subtle, but the message was loud and clear.

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