Page 23 of Haze

“And now, knowing who she is?” Cade tilts his head, watching me, rightfully so.

The growl fades but tension flickers between us. The golden eyes of The Leviathan hold steady beneath the surface.

“There’s no reason my mate can’t outrank me in a pack. I’m secure enough with my wolf and who I am to accept it,” I affirm, although it’s against my instinct to stand here facing off against him.

My wolf pushes, trying to face off with The Leviathan. Counteracting him, I keep us steady. I’m an Alpha wolf, but this is a whole different beast. We don’t need to be squaring off on the Capitol building’s lawn.

Long and uncomfortable moments pass as Cade and The Leviathan observe me. His eyes fleck from blue to gold and back again.

When I go to speak, trying to plead with anything that might make him change his mind, The Leviathan shines steadily in Cade’s eyes.

“The Leviathan likes you. Which he doesn’t like a lot of people, myself included, so let’s take that as a good sign.” Cade blows out a sigh and shakes his head. “Finn, I’ll give you the amnesty you need. Earn your place here, and I’ll accept your petition to join the pack.”

“Is this the part where you threaten that if I hurt your sister, you’ll kill me?” I square my shoulders with the inquiry.

Cade’s eyes fade back to blue, and he gives me a side-eyed smile. “I don’t believe that’s necessary.”

“Because you’re The Leviathan or because you don’t believe I’ll hurt her?” I pry for any information I can get on Lena.

With a nod, he answers, “You and Lena aren’t used to trusting people. Hurting is part of life. I don’t believe you could physically harm her. I wouldn’t recommend proving me wrong.”

“I won’t,” I confirm and swallow my pride. “I’d like to ask, given her being divinely mine, you not entertain any requests for intention on her.”

Cade pulls his other hand out of his pocket and checks his watch. “You sure you met my little sister? What makes you think she’d even let that happen? There’s not a lot I’m afraid of, but Lena pissed off? She should scare you too.” He extends his hand. “Welcome to Ardelean Country and formally beginning your petition into the pack.”

I accept his hand and shake it firmly before Cade makes his minimum requirements clear. “Two pack functions a month, I don’t care which. We’ve a run this Saturday. I’d prefer you attend, but I understand if it’s short notice. The Luna will get you on the text and email list.”

“Cade! Cade!” Various people are vying for his attention.

Turning my head, I see a camera crew and a few reporters waving and shouting, standing on the far sidewalk away from us.

When I look at Cade, he sighs, rolling his eyes.

As he turns to leave, he stops himself and, with his head over his shoulder, catches me. “Oh, and Finn?”

“Yeah?” I answer.

“Good luck.” Cade chuckles, shaking his head.

I’m fairly certain he mutters ‘good fucking luck’ under his breath, but I don’t question it.

He approaches the press. With his head held high, he looks as natural doing that as Magnus does walking into a business deal. There’s something about the way Pack Alphas are cut, always ready to deal with the impossible.

Perhaps the more pressing matter for me is what is it about my little mate that has The Leviathan worried she’ll kill me? Surely the dainty Alpha Female isn’t truly difficult.

Chapter 8

Lena

Early in the morning, coffee in hand, I drive out to the black hole that is the pack house to supervise the internet install and finish signing off the final touches on the new pack house. We currently have limited service for cell phones and no internet. So if all goes according to plan, the new home will be brought into this century today with functioning technology.

The sprawling fourteen-thousand-square-foot rustic home suits the property much more than the previous building that sat on the lot. A fresh start is fitting for Cade’s rule, and while I loved the Wisconsin house for how it became our home, moving back to the Alden property might be a step in the right direction.

All the new furniture has been delivered, the utilities work, the kitchen’s stocked, and pack functions are happening. It’s not quite finished. Trim pieces are missing in some places, and if you look too closely, one of the picture windows was installed upside down.

The main living spaces were the first to receive new furniture, pieces both large and cozy for members of the pack. They’re starting to make themselves more welcome by visiting us when we’re here. They’re all nice, and I know some from the university. I don’t remember much from being a child with them, but I’m trying to acclimate and get off on the right foot as Alpha Female.

Cade would prefer if I spent less time trying to acclimate and more time at the lab. But given his constant trips to DC and meeting with legislators around the country, it feels like the least I can do is to have one of us available for the pack. Sure as fuck can’t leave the people-ing to Deacon. I’ve been named Alpha Female, and it’s my duty to the pack anyway.

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