Chapter 88


    AARON


    “Then get off your as s, quit hiding like a scared little girl, and fight them yourself.”


    Leah’s chest heaves. She’s angry and she should be. She’s


    been fighting me for most of her life, why the he ll would she


    start feeling sorry for herself now?


    If anything, she should be ted to be back with her ‘family’


    “Hey,” I catch her hand before she can storm off. That spark is there, as strong as ever. “Take a


    second. I didn’te here to


    argue with you.”


    “You sure about that?”


    “Tell me what you need.”


    Her eyes search mine like she wants to say something.


    I use the grip on her hand to pull her closer, but she pushes against my chest, blocking me from


    holding her. “Just tell me the protocol, Aaron. It’s been a bit of a slow transition here and I’ll be honest, I


    haven’t made a great mark to start. What


    would you do in my shoes?” she asks candidly.


    “Show your strength, Leah. You’re smart. Show your resilience. What does this pack need, how can


    you provide it? Be


    supportive and invite the pack-every member-to contact you directly. I know there’s risk with that-”


    “Is that what your wee package was about?”


    The guns and knives? “Yeah. Mostly. Speaking of…you’re not carrying.”


    “No. Uh. I saw you and I rushed out without thinking.”


    Her answer pleases me.


    She addresses my men. “It’s good to see you all. I appreciate the support and that you’de this far


    to help me.”


    It’s not like they had a choice. But several of my guys nod or take a knee. “We’re happy to be here,”


    udio says.


    Another teammate, Benny, says: “It’s an honor to attend your


    coronation, Alpha Leah.”


    She smiles brightly.


    And there it is, that burst of light and life that I’ll forever


    associate with this woman. I’ve missed it. Missed her.


    “Set up a perimeter,” I say quietly and four of my guys move to take point. “If you can get the main hall


    restored to order, that might be the best ce. Or we could even look to do a cocktail reception in the


    dining room.”


    I eye the vast open yard with its almost calf-high grass. “We could mow this field, I suppose. If you’d


    rather be outside.”


    “No,” she says quickly.


    I agree. The conclusion of one of these ceremonies would typically involve shifting. Leah can’t do that.


    So we don’t want to point to reminders of her inability.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    I grab her hand again and squeeze it. “This is your show, honey.”


    She nods. “You’ll help?”


    “It’s why I’m here.”


    “Let’s prepare the main hall then. I think just cleaning out the frat house vibes will make the space more


    weing overall. This is the main packhouse. It should amodate children


    and families.”


    I nod. To my men I say, “Get in there. If we need something, don’t waste time asking. Just take the


    initiative to get it.”


    The guys file past and into the house.


    Leah rubs her arms. “Cold?”


    She doesn’t reply but I see the gooseflesh rising on her skin. I briskly rub her arms. It’s meant to be


    perfunctory. She’s cold. I’m warming her.


    Tell that to my di ck.


    It’s been hard since she answered the phone.


    And now that my hands are on her skin, it’ll take a miracle to stop me from dragging her into the


    nearest room, closet or nook and f**king her senseless.


    I’ve had fantasies about that stu pid twin bed.


    But seeing her expression just now…something’s not right.


    “What aren’t you telling me, honey?”


    She startles like I’ve pped her. “I, uh, should take a shower and make myself look more


    presentable.” She frowns. “I don’t


    know what to wear.”


    I nod toward one of several trunks my men carried in. “There


    are a couple of pantsuits that might do the trick.”


    She smirks. “Look at you into fashion. We’vee a long way, huh.”


    “Yeah. We have.” I can’t help but agree.


    I ordered the back fields mowed after all. The grass will likely stick to feet and shoes and get dragged


    inside, but there is nothing to be done for it


    We need a ce to set up the bars and to move out all the booze. And lest my brother and his


    packmates fr eak the f* ck out, I thought it better to move their stash rather than pour it


    down the drain.


    I’m not sure the kitchen staff is up to the task and the wolffl remembered so fondly from my childhood


    passed away a few years ago, I’d learned. The chef is a neen year old wolf with an attitude and


    penchant for fusion dishes.


    I like that he wants to take ownership of the menu. I think he


    was expecting me to boss him around. Instead I shook his hand. Weed him to my pack. And told


    him to make us proud.


    We’ll see if that results in something amazing or the kind of sp iteful coup that might ruin this entire


    party.


    This is a country estate, it’s not like Uber eats or Doordash are