51 - ra


    A simmering fury churned beneath my skin, fueled by the fact that I was being forced tomand one of my own pack members as Alpha. I knew Ben sensed the tension radiating from me, yet he chose not to question it. That silent understanding only made the weight heavier. This was exactly what I had struggled against my entire life. Our pack was small-too small to justifypelling anyone to obey if you led with true respect. That was the lesson my mother had taught me, and she earned the admiration of every pack member because of it. My father''s leadership was marked by kindness and empathy. I should be able to emte that. But clearly, somewhere along the way, we had missed the key lessons on how to lead with grace.


    I wrapped up the formal introductions of Ben to the pack. Most of the members had already met him and the rest of the Silver Crescent team during their time here. They were skilled at mingling, quick to forge friendships. I couldn''t help but notice a few lingering nces from female pack members, their eyes drawn to him a little longer than polite. I had to admit to myself that Ben was undeniably handsome, even if his strict, rigid demeanor made him seem unapproachable. If he were just a human, he''d blend seamlessly with military officers—his hair always perfectly trimmed, his clothes impably clean, tailored to fit every curve. Ugh, no! I was angry at him. I couldn''t let myself dwell on how attractive he was, or how effortlessly he could smile, causing even the mostmitted females to giggle and blush. I hated that about him.


    "Hey El. The coven''s arrived and they''re all set up. Brianna says they''re good for the night—no need to worry about dinner. Any other instructions?" Jax''s voice pulled me back from my spiraling thoughts.


    "Thank f*ck!" I muttered under my breath.


    "Really? That didn''t take too long," Jax teased.


    "Not you, Jax. It''s just... this day needs to end." I sighed, trying to steady my voice. "Tell Brianna her coven can meet at the packhouse for breakfast. Mnie''s really excited to meet them-she''s hoping to learn some new kitchen tricks. Then we''ll n where to start scanning and dismantling any harmful magic. We should post a patrol guard with them overnight, just in case they need anything."


    "Got it, Alpha."


    I turned and stepped out of thest shop, my body heavy with exhaustion and my mind aching from the relentless pressure. So many things were happening at once, and I felt like I wasn''t making a single difference. Darkness had fallen. I needed food and rest to prepare for whatever tomorrow might bring.


    "Hey! Wait up. Where are you going?" Ben''s voice came from behind me, breaking through the fog of my thoughts. Just minutes ago, I had been wrestling internally with my female pack members about him, thenpletely forgot he was still with me. I really needed sleep.


    Rubbing my face, I slowed my pace. "Sorry. Jax told me the coven''s settled for the night in the forest behind the packhouse. And then I realized just how much we''ve done today. I''m suddenly exhausted. I need to eat, then sleep. They''re going to have breakfast at the packhouse—at least, that''s what I told them."


    I kept walking toward what was, I supposed, now ''our'' home. He didn''t say a word, trailing just behind my right shoulder, exactly where a good Beta should be. Asshole. No one had ever stirred such conflicting emotions within me-not even Jax or Dev, who I''d grown up with.


    We passed through the double front doors, moving past the foyer and the formal living room, heading down the hall toward the kitchen.


    "Hey Mnie! Just need something small. Mind if we raid the cabs?" I called out.


    Halfway through the sentence, Mnie beat me to it. "I''ll do you one better, Alpha.” She hurried over to one of the huge ovens and pulled out two tes piled high beneath foil.


    "What''s that?" I asked, trying to keep the surprise from my voice. I shouldn''t have been shocked-Mnie was the most perceptive person I''d ever met. It was like she anticipated everyone''s needs before they even realized them themselves.


    "I figured since you were out visiting the shops today, you probably didn''t stop for lunch. So I made sure there was something ready when you got back." She shrugged, cing the tes on the kitchen ind and immediately returning to her work, as if this was just another ordinary day.


    "Wow. Thank you." My voice softened with genuine gratitude.


    “Thanks, Mnie,” Ben said warmly as his arm brushed past me. The contact sent a sudden burst of goosebumps racing down my arm. When I nced over, he was walking toward the small table by the window, which looked out onto the patio. Maybe he sensed I was upset and was giving me space. The problem was, now I wasn''t sure where to go. I hadn''t eaten in the dining room since losing my parents. Little things like that kept hitting me hardtely. I didn''t want to enter that room without them, but when the coven members starteding regrly, I might not have a choice. Instead, I chose to stand and chat with Mnie about the coven. It was a decent distraction from the heaviness in my chest.


    "Mel, the coven members are going to start taking meals here, starting with breakfast tomorrow. Sorry to spring that on you. Do you need any extra help to make it happen?"