Page 78 of The Wolf's Prince
Just then, Enkai approached, and Soren’s throat constricted at the sight of the beautiful beaded necklace he carried with him.
“Congratulations Pack Alpha Soren,” he said, smiling warmly. “You have earned this position. You have the support of the White Water Pack.”
Nikolai stepped back, allowing Enkai to place the necklace over Soren’s bowed head.
When he straightened, he looked down at the beads, warmth filling him.
As a child, whenever Jin held him, he used to play with the beads where they hung around his neck. To wear the very same colorful beads now, made him feel like they were still connected somehow.
He looked up, taking in his pack.
No words were necessary, but Soren couldn't help himself.
“I will protect you all, and lead you well for all of my days,” he promised loudly. He reached out, and Nikolai took his hand at once. “With my mate at my side, of course.”
Nikolai smiled, clinging to his hand, pride, and love in his eyes.
“What of the prisoners?” Enkai asked, gently.
Soren looked over. Kamon was now sitting up, looking stunned and shamed... which, Soren had to admit, was what the other shifter deserved.
“Is he okay?” he asked.
“He will live,” Fusa, who was sitting by his side, said. “The bite is already healing.”
Soren was relieved. He didn't want to start this journey with too much blood on his hands.
Searching out, he saw Eri behind the others, sitting on the ground, her head bowed in shame.
What she had done still sent fury rippling through him every time he thought of it. He gripped Nikolai's hand tightly, remembering the way they had just managed to survive that fall.
“Bring her forward,” he said, his voice hard.
Eri cowered all the way until she was sitting next to Kamon. Neither of them looked at the other. They probably still weren't on good terms after Eri had so clearly tried to get Soren back, but Soren didn't really care, they were both despicable. They deserved each other.
They both looked up at him, fear in their gazes.
“I hereby banish you from White Water Pack.”
“No!” Eri shouted. “Where will we go?”
“That is none of my concern,” Soren said, forcing calm.
“You wanted to be pack alpha at all costs Kamon, and you Eri, wanted to bewiththe pack alpha at all costs… Now together, you can both get your wish. Go, start your own pack for all I care. Just stay away from what ismine.”
No one argued, not even Kamon. Soren’s word was now their law, but he would not abuse that power. Like Jin before him, he would weigh the options on what was best for all, and an alpha and omega like Kamon and Eri, who cared more about their own needs, did not belong with them.
The crowd began to disperse then. Most came to Soren, congratulating him and thanking him and, to his delight, giving Nikolai the same treatment.
He pulled his mate into his arms, holding him tightly.
“What next?” Nikolai asked breathlessly, looking up at him.
Soren smiled. Nikolai had so much to learn about the pack and he seemed to be doing so with open arms and excitement.
He bent and kissed his lips.
“Next,” he said, “we wait for the full moon.”
