50 - ra


    I had hoped to see Melodie first. At least she would have managed to appear calm and polite, even if only for show.


    “Hello, Deacon. I wanted to introduce you to our new Beta..." I began, but he cut me off abruptly.


    "So now that your father''s gone, you''re just going to toss Richard and the others aside?" His voice was sharp, almost bitter. Ben tensed beside me but remained still.


    "My team isn''t my father''s team, and frankly, it''s none of your concern. This is how things will be from now on," I said firmly.


    Deacon sneered, ncing over my shoulder. "Maybe you''ll actually get her to do her damn job."


    Ben didn''t hesitate this time. He stepped forward, closing the distance until he was nose to nose with Deacon. "You will not disrespect the Alpha in my presence," he warned, his aura radiating power that filled the room. Deacon tried to resist, but it was futile-Ben was strong. I had seen him confront me enough times to know this was a different level entirely. Deacon''s head dropped slightly, forced into submission.


    "Your Alpha is doing you a favor by introducing me herself," Ben continued. "She''s too polite to use her aura on you out of respect for the pack members she cares about. But I don''t have that same restraint. If youe at her in any way I consider uncivil, you''ll get the same treatment as Jeff. Understand?"


    Jeff grumbled low in his chest, clearly unhappy about being outmatched, but he wasn''t about to argue with someone higher-ranked who wasn''t afraid to use force. The problem was, Deacon had just made me look ineffective as a leader. His petty excuse about me respecting them more only highlighted my weakness. Before I could signal Ben to step back, Melodie appeared.


    "Hello, Alpha, Beta. It''s a pleasure to meet you. We''re grateful you''re here to assist the Alpha during this difficult transition. I know the circumstances aren''t ideal. Alpha, if you need anything, please don''t hesitate to ask. I want to assure you that your mother''s tea was always handled with the utmost care. And, not to ce me, but for rity, I personally sealed her canister following her usual specifications. I hope you don''t doubt me."


    I shook my head. “I don''t, Melodie. Jeff confessed everything. His ego just wouldn''t let him give credit to anyone else.” I rolled my eyes, realizing I had never considered Melodie a suspect. After all, she was the one who blended and packed my mother''s very specific tea blend. I shouldn''t have been sofortable with that thought. Maybe Jax and Dev had questioned her. I wasn''t ready for all of this.


    "Is that why you brought witches into the pack?" she asked softly, almost as if she didn''t want to hear the answer but needed to.


    Her mate, however, exploded with anger.


    "WITCHES?! Why the hell are you bringing those poisoning cowards here? They started this mess in the first ce!"


    I took a deep breath and addressed the reasonable mate. “Unfortunately, they''re affected by the same rogue casters recruiting rogue wolves. They''re here, and I need Melodie''s help." I looked at Melodie. "Would you be willing to work with the coven leader and help us dismantle some of the spells cast around our pack? They''re kitchen and green witches, and they''ll need to assist in reducing the chaos magic. It''s part of why we''re having so much trouble finding and capturing these rogues. This will give us a fighting chance. I trust you to see through anything suspicious about their practices. I haven''t had enough interactions to trust them wholeheartedly, but I do believe they''re here to help, not harm us."


    "I''d be happy to help, Alpha."


    "Over my dead body you''re going anywhere near those casting scum," Deacon snapped, crossing his arms as if that settled the matter. He was seriously mistaken. My aura swept over him, calm but firm. She will assist me in whatever way I deem necessary as Alpha of this pack. Didn''t he demand I do my job? Just because he disliked the solution didn''t mean he could change the n. He had no say. His opinion had never been asked for—or offered respectfully. He was a pack member, not a decision-maker. "Stand down before I make you stand down." I pressed my aura into him. I hated using it; I wanted people to follow me willingly, not out of fear. But now that Ben had set the standard, there was no other way. That little reminder made me furious all over again, and my aura throbbed with raw aggression. "Are we clear?” I asked, my voice low and harsh, pushing into the bond that connected us. He let out a small sound—not a whimper, more of a grunt of resistance. My wolf growled deep in my chest. She hated being disobeyed or having her authority challenged. “I said, are... we..... clear?" I emphasized each word with a pulse of pressure. I was ready to bring him to his knees if necessary.


    "Oh, for Goddess''s sake, Deacon. Just answer the Alpha. Quit being difficult. You''re not going to say no."


    He grunted again, then finally muttered, "Fine."


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t catch that."


    "Fine. We''re clear. But only because my mate is better at convincing me than you are."


    "What are you, twelve? I don''t care as long as you''re not a pain in my ass and don''t piss off the casters who are actually here to help us." I turned to leave. "Melodie, I''ll be in touch when I know more."


    "Okay, Alpha."


    As we walked away, an epic fight erupted behind us. From the few words I caught, it sounded like Deacon might be sleeping outside tonight.