Chapter 21
The title seemed to land like a stone in still water. A ripple of shifting expressions moved across the room…some guarded, some assessing, others openly skeptical.
“I expect her to be given the maximum accommodation and respect due to her position,” Alexander continued, his gaze sweeping the crowd like a blade.
A long pause followed, filled with the sound of my own heartbeat. Then he glanced at me. Would you like to say something?”
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“Yes,” I said, stepping forward. My voice was steady, though my pulse was a little too quick.” Good evening. I’m honored to stand here as your Luna. I hope to serve alongside Alpha Alexander in leading this pack to greater heights. I’m committed to working with all of you to ensure that happens. With your cooperation, I believe we can strengthen not just our territory, but the bonds between us as one united pack.”
It was the kind of speech I’d been trained to give–measured, respectful, confident. I scanned the faces in front of me, looking for even the smallest sign my words had warmed the air.
Nothing.
More than half of them remained indifferent…their expressions stone. A few weren’t bothering to hide their scowls.
One of the elders, a tall man with iron–gray hair and an eagle–like nose, finally spoke. “Luna,” he said, the title carrying a hint of reluctance, “the Silver Hollow pack has… a different way of running things. How do you plan to adapt to our ways?”
“I believe leadership is about understanding, not imposing,” I replied evenly. “I intend to learn your traditions before making any changes. This is your home as much as it’s mine now, and I respect that.”
A murmured exchange rippled through a few of them.
Another elder, a woman with sharp eyes and a voice like sandpaper, cut in. “And what of loyalty? Will your loyalties be divided between Silver Hollow and us?”
Why in the name of the goddess were they sounding like this was the first case of this kind of alliance?
I kept my chin high. “I am mated to Alpha Alexander. That bond is my loyalty. My commitment is to this pack now.”
That earned a slow, begrudging nod from a few in the back, though others still looked
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unconvinced.
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From the right side of the room, one of the younger leaders asked, “Do you have experience managing disputes between warriors? Our border patrol can get… heated.”
“I’ve mediated disagreements before,” I said. “Every situation is different, but I believe listening first and acting decisively second is the best approach.”
There was a faint smirk on his face, like he was testing me. “Listening first? That might get you walked over.”
“Not if you’re listening to understand and not just to reply,” I said, matching his tone without turning it into a challenge. “People know when they’re truly heard. It changes how they respond.”
That silenced him, though the smirk lingered.
Then a man in the corner, broad–shouldered, crossed his arms. “And what will you do if your decisions conflict with the Alpha’s?”
That question was deliberately meant to corner me.
Before I could speak, Alexander stepped forward slightly, his voice cutting clean through the room. “Any conflict between us will be handled privately. Our unity in public is not up for debate.”
The elder’s mouth snapped shut.
Another question came, this time from an older woman whose expression was neutral but eyes were shrewd. “What’s the first change you intend to make as Luna?”
I smiled politely. “The first thing I intend to do is listen–learn the needs of the pack from those who live them daily. Only then can I make decisions that truly benefit us all.”
It was a safe answer, but I meant it.
That seemed to please her, though from the opposite end of the room came a low, skeptical voice: “Words are easy, Luna. We’ll see about actions.”
The words stung, not because they were wrong, but because they were honest.
Alexander’s gaze shifted toward the speaker, sharp enough to slice the air. “And you will. But some of your questions will have to wait. We have other matters to attend to today.”
It was said so calmly, so decisively, that no one dared argue.
The room went still, then, one by one, the members began to murmur brief welcomes. Some
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were mechanical, like reciting lines in a play.
“Welcome, Luna,” one elder said, his eyes sliding past me almost immediately.
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Another inclined her head slightly. “I look forward to… working together.” The pause told me she was still deciding whether that was true.
A younger man with bright eyes and a genuine smile stepped forward and bowed slightly. “It’s an honor to meet you, Luna.” It was the first welcome that actually felt warm.
I met each of them with the same steady smile, no matter how reluctant they were.
When Alexander finally dismissed them with a short, “That will be all,” they filed out, the air still thick with unspoken judgment.
As the last few left, I let out a quiet exhale and murmured under my breath, “Well… I feel welcome already.”
Alexander glanced at me, voice as cold as ever. “You did a good job.”
It would have been encouraging if there had been even a flicker of warmth behind it. But of course there wasn’t. This was Alexander–the man who could make a compliment sound like a weather report.
I rolled my eyes slightly as we turned toward the door. “Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.”
H
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