Chapter 0409

The conversation with Silas lingers in my mind as Isolde and I return to our cabin. We've barely settled in when Seraphina and Sebastian knock on the door.

"Mind if we come in?" Seraphina asks, her voice carrying an uncharacteristic edge.

I step aside, motioning them inside. "Always."

Isolde starts brewing coffee while we gather in the cramped seating area. "You noticed my exchange with Tobias at lunch today?" Seraphina dives straight to the point.

I nod. "He was tense around his Alpha."

"Alpha Dominic," she clarifies as Isolde brings over the coffee tray. "He's the son of the Alpha who ruled when my family fled Whitewater Pack."

The rich aroma of coffee fills the air as Seraphina continues. "Tobias approached me afterward. He's heard of your pack. Wants out of Whitewater, but didn't know where to go."

She exchanges a glance with Sebastian, who gives a subtle nod. "He's terrified Dominic will track him down if he joins our pack."

"Wouldn't matter once he's officially one of us," Sebastian interjects.

"But he doesn't want to relive my family's nightmare—being hunted like prey." Seraphina's fingers tighten around her mug. "He's asking if your pack would take him in."

I look at Isolde. "Your pack, my pack—does it really matter? We'd welcome him and his family." A pause. "Does he understand we're still building? That it'll be hard work?"

Sebastian answers this time. "I made that crystal clear. Apparently, Dominic's taxing them into starvation. The chance to build their own home? That's hope they haven't had in years."

I drag my hands down my face. "This is exactly what I feared. Word's spreading about mistreated pack members finding refuge with us. Now that our location's known, we'll have more showing up at our borders."

Isolde's hand finds my arm, warm and steady. "We'll make room. Everyone deserves safety. You know that better than anyone."

Turning back to our guests, I confirm, "They're welcome. Any idea how they'll get from Colorado to Georgia? That's no short trip."

Sebastian and Seraphina share another look. "We'll handle transport," Sebastian says. "Just needed your confirmation first."

The conversation shifts to tomorrow's Beta battles, Sebastian and I trading playful jabs about whose Beta will dominate.

After they leave, I turn to Isolde. "Might need to buy all the land between us and Blackthorn Pack."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "You realize how much territory that is?"

"About six hundred acres. Rough terrain makes it feel larger." At her low whistle, I add, "The council might cut us a deal. No other pack wants that rocky stretch—but connecting our borders to Sebastian's and Adrian's would give us strategic protection."

I pull my mate toward bed. "We'll discuss it after Leopold humiliates that sorry excuse for a Beta tomorrow."

"Can't wait to see their faces," Isolde agrees before we drift off.

Morning arrives with nervous energy crackling under my skin. I'm itching to see Leopold claim vengeance for his past suffering.

At breakfast, Leopold appears unnervingly calm. His mate, however, looks ready to lose her breakfast.

"Lillian? You alright?" I ask.

She gives a tight nod, eyes glued to her plate.

Leopold pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Just breathe, love. You've got this."

His quiet confidence does little to ease the tension coiling in my gut. Today's battles will change everything.