Chapter 247
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I turned to find Dominte in his partial shift form, his eyes glowing electric blue, claws extended and buried deep in Ronald’s chest. Blood pooled beneath them as Ronald gasped his final breaths.
“The negotiation is over, Collins,” Dominic said coldly, twisting his claws one final time before withdrawing them.
Ronald’s body slumped to the floor, the light fading from his eyes. The scent of death filled the room metallic and final.
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Dominic looked at me, his eyes slowly returning to their normal shade as he shifted back to fully human form. There was no judgment in his gaze, only a fierce pride that matched my own feelings. We had done what was necessary to protect our family.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, moving to my side and gently touching the scratches on my face.
I shook my head. “Nothing serious.” I glanced at the bodies on the floor. “What now?”
Before he could answer, Rivera appeared at the doorway. “Alpha, we have a situation. The entire Collins faction is gathering outside the house. They know something’s wrong.”
Dominic’s expression hardened once more. “Then it’s time to address our new pack members.”
The night air was cool against my face as we stepped onto the front steps, Dominic beside me. Before us, gathered on the expansive lawn, stood nearly a hundred werewolves – the entire Collins faction. Their scents mingled in the air – confusion, fear, anger, uncertainty. They knew their leaders were dead; the news had spread through pack bonds with the immediacy of wildfire.
In the moonlight, their faces looked pale and wary. Some showed outright hostility, others mere trepidation. All waited to see what would
even ones as controversial as Ronald and Caroline – created dangerous instability in any happen next. The death of an Alpha and Luna pack.
Dominic drew himself up to his full height, allowing his Alpha presence to expand outward in a palpable wave. I stood tall beside him, chin lifted, eyes forward – determined to project the strength and dignity expected of a Luna despite the blood still drying on my cheek.
“By ancient pack law,” Dominic began, his voice carrying easily across the lawn, “I am now your Alpha.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. One Beta stepped forward, his posture respectful but cautious. “The Council must confirm such a claim,” he stated.
“The Council will,” Dominic replied confidently. “But in the interim, a power vacuum would endanger everyone here.”
I shifted slightly beside him, wondering what we would do with all these wolves. Absorbing an entire faction into the Sterling pack would create significant challenges – territorial disputes, hierarchy reorganization, loyalty questions. Yet leaving them leaderless would be equally problematic.
“What happens now?” a female Delta called out from the crowd, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.
Dominic surveyed the gathering, making eye contact with key figures. “Your daily operations will continue under temporary leadership,” he announced, gesturing to Johnson to join us. “Delta Johnson will oversee things until the Council can formally recognize the new structure.”
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Chapter 247
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Johnson stepped forward, his expression appropriately solemn. He was a good choice experienced enough to command respect, but not so closely tied to Dominic that the Collins faction would see him as a puppet.
Treat Ronald and Caroline’s remains with the dignity befitting their rank,” Dominic continued. “Arrange a funeral that honors their status, despite our differences.”
This instruction seemed to surprise many in the crowd, who had clearly expected harsher treatment. But respect for the dead was deeply ingrained in werewolf culture, and Dominic’s command acknowledged that, even while establishing his authority.
“I will return within forty–eight hours to address transition matters,” he concluded. “Until then, maintain your normal routines and responsibilities.”
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Dominic turned to me, keeping his voice low. “It’s time to go home to our son.”
My expression softened at the mention of Lucas, relief and longing washing over me. “Yes,” I whispered. “Let’s go home.”
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