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 n the other


    night, but the formal ceremony to wee you to the pack is vital. I missed it. And we’vee 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.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    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 n 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.”