Chapter 92


    AARON


    Da mn it… say something, Leah!


    She’s staring like a deer in the headlights, and the cliche is appropriate. But you don’t want to be frozen


    prey, not in this


    “Let’s give Leah a round of apuse,” I shout.


    The whole room turns to face me.


    Scowls and di rty looks outnumber the shocked expressions.


    I grin. “Come on, she kept my a ss in line for a decade. Just imagine what miracles she’ll work back


    here among her


    family.”


    Laughter echoes through the room and gradually people cheer and p wholeheartedly.


    I’m not trying to steal her spotlight. That’s not my intent. She needs to stand on her own feet. I never


    wanted to actually


    break this woman. Bend her, sure. Over most any piece of


    furniture in the vicinity.


    Because it’s her will that’s always been sexiest to me.


    I arch a brow at Leah now. Let’s go, honey. Get on with it.


    “My friends,” she begins. Her voice is strong and it silences the room instantly. Did she put force behind


    the words, I wonder? I feel…something.


    “I’ve missed you in the many years I was pledged for peace. And though I wish my father was still alive


    and here to shepherd Pack Roberts into the next century, I ept the responsibility he bestowed upon


    me. And I do not take it lightly.”


    All right, she’s off to a good start.


    “I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be an Alpha. First and foremost, it’s a sacrifice. It’s setting the


    needs of the pack above all else. And I pledge to you that I will continue to do that until myst breath.”


    Is that what her marriage to me was, a sacrifice?


    I h ate to think of our years together as that.


    I rub my chest. My wolf is agitated.


    “Now,” Leah smiles crookedly. “Let’s get the elephant out of the


    room, shall we? I’m human.”


    There are some mock gasps from the crowd.


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    “I know!” she says. “Shocking. And…” she leans forward conspiratorially. “Female.”


    More gasps. This time with someughter.


    “But here’s the thing,” Leah says. “Pack Roberts doesn’t need a leader based on gender. Pack Roberts


    doesn’t need a vicious warrior like my father before me. We’ve made our peace with our sworn enemy.


    Isn’t that right, Alpha Aaron?”


    Da mn. Leah. Way to put me on the spot.


    Every head swivels in my direction.


    “Yes. Our marriage solidified peace.”


    Her eyes narrow.


    Well, she had to know I wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. And she might be spouting off


    about annulling our marriage or divorcing me… But I’m not agreeing to that.


    “Our pack needs someone who can rebuild our infrastructure. Our pack needs someone with strong


    political ties to gain us more authority on the Council. Our pack needs someone with the financial


    acumen to make us one of the wealthiest packs


    in the country.”


    With each pronouncement, the cheers increase.


    She’s winning them over.


    Not with empty promises or brute strength or even her beauty. And she is beautiful. I’ve never been


    more proud.


    She’s won them over with hope… same as she did with me.