Page 24 of The Alpha's Envy

"Dad, have you seen my laptop charger? I need to finish my alpha college assignment."

Cooper's voice carries down from his room, deep now, a young man full of urgency instead of a child. He's already planning his future, determined to study business and help modernize pack operations for his technology allergic father.

"Check Rex's room," I call back, smiling as I hear him grumble. They fight over chargers now instead of toys.

"Jonathan." Marie's mind-link carries worry. "Council emergency meeting. Now."

In my office, my beautiful mate's already setting up the video call. Our daughter Leila sits nearby, supposedly doing homework but clearly eavesdropping. I pick up a pair of headphones and stick them over her ears. This is probablynot suitable for a little girl who’s too smart for her own good sometimes.

The council members appear on screen, and my heart sinks. I know that look.

"Graham Reynolds's second mate is missing."

The words hang heavy in the air. Three years after Maya's death, Graham had taken another mate. A young wolf from a distant pack who hadn't heard the whispers about Silver Creek.

"She was seen at the border," one counsellor continues. "Bruised. But when our representatives arrived to investigate, Graham claimed she'd left voluntarily."

"And we can't prove otherwise," another adds bitterly. “We’ve spoken to Dean. He didn’t return home this weekend, so he could study, but he’s trying to get in touch. Maya doesn’t seem to know any more than we do.”

It's the same story. Always the same. Graham's isolation of his pack has become complete. No one in, no one out. Businesses dead. Young wolves forbidden from attending college. Mates chosen internally only, despite the risks of such limited breeding.

Meanwhile, our own pack thrives. The hotel and spa have expanded. We've added a conference centre, offering jobs and opportunities to our growing numbers. Our youngest is determined to add a construction business to our empire, already learning everything he can from a neighbouring alpha who’s happy to show him the ropes.

This is what the shifter community should be like. Not what Graham Reynolds is doing.

"Poor Dean,” Marie says, because we all know what’s coming. What’s going to have to happen eventually.

Graham's eldest has turned out nothing like his father and is determined to save his pack once he takes over. If he takes over.

"Graham won't let go easily."

Marie's face darkens. "Then we'll help him."

The guilt in her voice makes my chest ache. We all carry that weight, the knowledge that we’ve stuck to the council’s ruling, and stood by helplessly as things slowly deteriorated.

Later, as we watch the sunset from our balcony, Cooper packs up his car, ready to return to college.

"You did good," Marie says softly, leaning into my side. "With them. With the pack."

I kiss her temple and tangle my fingers with hers, still needing her touch all these years later. "Wedid. And we'll do more."

Because that's what real alphas do: they build, they nurture, they protect.

Rex joins Cooper at the car, and soon, they’re tussling over something, anything, burning off all that alpha energy they need to expend.

I smile, enjoying the moment, because things are about to turn sour. I can feel it in my bones. And I’ll do anything to protect my pack, but also, those that can’t protect themselves.

I’ve put in my objections to the council. We should be doing more to protect the Silver Creek wolves. If Graham doesn’t produce his second mate, fit and healthy, within the next few days, we’ll go in and find her.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

JONATHAN

Marie saunters over, a flirtatious smile on her face, and hands me a giant glass of white wine.

“Thank you, darling,” I say, extending one hand to take the glass by the stem, and the other, to snatch my sexy mate around the waist and pull her into my lap.

It’s been two days since Cooper left for college again. This could be our last night of peace, so I’m determined to enjoy it.

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