The howls mean the pack has accepted me as their new Alpha. I told them I wouldn’t be perfect, and I meant it, but I do know that things are never going to be as bad as they were with Jeffrey as their leader.
The howls continue for a few minutes, then we all shift back slowly.
“Tomorrow at dawn,” I tell them. “We will run.” When a new Alpha takes control of a pack, he needs to do a few things to establish his presence. This looks different in every pack, of course. In mine, it’s going to mean early morning runs a few days each week to help us bond. Maybe we’ll hunt or swim, but we’ll at least go out together, explore, get some air. We’ll bond. We’ll grow closer.
A few shifters approach and hug me or slap me on the shoulder. A few older wolves I’ve known since I was a boy nod appreciatively. One older woman who must be nearly 80 gives me a tight squeeze.
“Proud of you, boy,” she says, holding up her cane at me. “Always knew ya had it in ya.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Beaver,” I say, taking her hand. “I won’t let you down.”
She grins and moves on, and I hope I can keep my promise. With Red by my side, with her support, I know I can accomplish anything.
I can reach all of my dreams.
Slowly, the crowd thins and almost everyone returns to their quarters. Most of the pack lives in the tunnel of underground caves we’ve created over the last few decades, but a few with families have their own homes outside of the forest. Jeffrey always hated it and even kicked a few wolves out of the pack for it, but I’ll send word as soon as possible that they’re welcome back.
Right now, though, I just want my girl. I just want to celebrate with her. Soon everyone is gone but Aunt Germaine and Red.
“I’m glad you’re home, son,” my aunt says, wrapping her arms around me. I fight a groan as she squeezes me close. I may have won the battle, but Jeffrey got more than a few good hits in. I kiss Aunt Germaine on the forehead before she looks to Red and back at me. “She’s a keeper,” my aunt says, and then she disappears into the cave.
Now it’s just Red and me.
Now we’re alone.
Finally, I wrap my arms around her, and to my surprise, she bursts into tears.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I murmur, holding her tighter.
“You could have died,” she whispers. “You could have died and I would have been all alone with him.” I can tell Red is worn out and getting tired. To be honest, I don’t blame her. It’s been a hell of a night. Forget that: it’s been a hell of a month.
“I didn’t die, baby. I didn’t die.” I hold her then. The full moon shines bright, but not as bright as my love for this girl.
That’s when I realize that I’ve never asked her and I need to. I need to make this real. I have the pack and we’ve got a long road ahead of us, but I need Red by my side.
“Scarlett,” I whisper, and suddenly my throat feels dry. Suddenly, I feel like I’m going to die if I don’t get these words out soon. I’ve come so close to death, fought so hard, and I’m tired. Scarlett, though, she gives me everything I need to keep going.
She’s my stars and my light.
She’s my path.
“Marry me,” I murmur, so quietly that I’m not sure she heard me. Her body tenses, though, and I realize that she definitely, absolutely heard me.
“I need you, Scarlett. You’re everything to me. I waited so long to face my demons. I was in that cabin for so long just grieving, just trying to find a way to keep on living, but I couldn’t find my way until you came into my life.”
“Nash…”
“Hear me out,” I whisper.
“No,” she says, and my heart sinks. I release her and just stand there awkwardly.
So this is it.
I am a king without a queen.
I am a lord without a lady.
I am a duke without a duchess.