Chapter 87
“Aaron, this is a surprise.”
My brother is watching me carefully and looking not very pleased.
“Are you si ck?” Aaron asks. “He reaches for my arm and grabs
my bicep. “You lost weight again.” He stares at my brother
angrily.
“I’m fine!” I say automatically. From the corner of my eye, I see
Adam. He gives a subtle shake of his head. What does that
mean? That he didn’t tell Aaron anything. That / shouldn’t!?!
“Why are you here, Aaron?” I nod at the guards with him. Men of varying ages that I interfaced almost daily at his packhouse. They smile or incline their heads respectfully.
He looks around, staring pointedly at my brother before
turning his attention back to me. “I came for your coronation, Leah. Nothing went to plan the other night, but the formal ceremony to welcome you to the pack is vital. I missed it. And we’ve come to pay tribute to-”
“We, uh, haven’t gotten around to that part yet,” Liam admits.
Aaron growls so low I feel the rumble more than hear it. “She needs to solidify her position and address the pack as
a whole. It doesn’t matter that she can’t shift, this is about leadership and vision and preserving the peace. Pack Roberts needs to know how she’s carried this pack financially all these years… they need to know her strengths and that she’s assuaged any collective weaknesses.”
Liam bristles. “Don’t tell me how to run my pack!”
“I’m not telling you. I’m telling her. This is HER pack.” Aaron looks at me. “You’re the head of this pack now, Leah. You need to assert your authority.”
It’s good advice.
Advice I should’ve heard before now.
I’ve been here for four days already.
And I’ve spent that time moping and crying and hiding out in
my room.
I’ve f**ked this up, I reckon, and there is no going back or
making a ‘new’ first impression.
I ha te to think what this pack has seen. First, me showing up weak and blo ody. Then me hiding out in this mansion and not making any effort to connect with these people or to reassure
them. He ll, I haven’t even offered condolences, and I know so many of these wolves loved my dad deeply.
look at my brother. “Instruct the chef to prepare a feast and ask all the members of this pack to be present for dinner and the coronation ceremony. We’ll do it tonight at six pm.”
“It’s going to take time to plan and assemble everyone,” Liam
says.
“She’s not asking you,” Aaron interrupts. “She’s telling you. This is an order from your Alpha.”
Liam’s furious. His eyes flicker to blue then back again. But he doesn’t argue. He nods curtly in my direction then storms into the house. The rest of his men-my men-including Adam
follow him inside.
“I don’t need you to fight my battles, Aaron.”
“No? Could’ve fooled me.”
