Chapter 19 Chapter 19
Marcus's POV
The conference room was packed with alphas from seven different packs, all arguing over the new alliance terms. I sat at the head of the table, watching the chaos with growing frustration. It had been two weeks since Moonstone Ridge, and while the shared Lycan power had brought packs together, it hadn't made negotiations any easier.
"The Northern Plains Pack demands equal access to the river ports," Alpha Chen insisted, his voice carrying over the others.
"Those ports have belonged to Riverside Pack for three generations," Alpha Martinez countered.
"You can't just claim them now."
"Gentlemen," I said firmly, and the room quieted.
"We're not here to claim anything from each other. We're here to share resources."
"Easy for you to say," Alpha Chen replied. "Moonvalley has the strongest economy.
You lose nothing in this arrangement." Before I could respond, the door opened. Ava entered carrying a stack of documents, and the entire atmosphere shifted. Every alpha in the room straightened, their wolves recognizing her unique position even if their human sides resented it.
"I apologize for being late," she said, taking her seat beside me.
"I was finalizing the medical supply distribution plans."
"Luna," Alpha Martinez nodded respectfully.
"We were just discussing the port situation." "I heard." She opened her folder, pulling out detailed charts.
"What if we rotate port access quarterly? Each pack gets priority for three months, but emergency supplies always take precedence regardless of whose turn it is."
"That could work," Alpha Chen said slowly, studying the charts. I watched my mate work, pride filling my chest. She had a gift for finding solutions that made everyone feel heard.
Through our bond, I felt her exhaustion though. She'd been up most of the night working on these proposals. Nathan entered next, carrying his laptop.
The room tensed immediately. His presence at these meetings was still controversial, even though he'd proven himself at Moonstone Ridge.
"The financial projections you requested," he said, handing me a folder while avoiding eye contact with the other alphas.
"Thank you," I said formally. It was still strange, being civil with my twin after everything.
But Ava was right about redemption. And Nathan was trying, managing our combined packs' finances with an efficiency I had to admire.
"If he's staying, we're leaving," Alpha Roberts from Silvercrest announced. Several of his wolves had been part of the attack on our warehouse, though they claimed they'd been following orders.
"Nathan is our financial advisor," Ava said calmly. "His expertise has saved our alliance millions already."
"He's a traitor and attempted murderer," Roberts shot back.
"He's working to make amends," I said, surprising myself by defending him. "And he's under constant supervision."
Nathan's shock flickered through his expression before he masked it. "I can leave if my presence is too disruptive."
"No," Ava said firmly. "We need those projections for the vote."
The meeting continued for three more hours. By the end, we had a tentative agreement on resource sharing, though Alpha Roberts and his contingent remained unhappy about Nathan's involvement.
After everyone left, Ava slumped in her chair. "That was exhausting." "You handled it perfectly." I moved behind her, massaging her tense shoulders.
"Roberts is going to be a problem. He's too connected to the old ways." "Then we watch him carefully."
My hands stilled as Nathan re-entered the room. "Sorry to interrupt," he said awkwardly.
"But there's something you should know. Roberts has been making calls to packs that refused to join the alliance. He's trying to form a separate coalition."
"Of course he is," I sighed. "How do you know this?" "I still have contacts in Silvercrest who are loyal to the new way."
He hesitated. "I could reach out, try to counter his influence." "That would require trust," I said carefully. "I know I haven't earned it yet. But I want to."
Nathan met my eyes directly. "You defended me today. That... meant something."
"You're trying to change. That deserves acknowledgment." "It's more than I deserve after Sarah." The name hung between us like always. But for the first time, the rage I usually felt was muted. "Sarah believed in second chances," I said finally. "Maybe it's time I honored that."
Nathan's eyes widened slightly. "Marcus..." "Don't mistake this for forgiveness. Not yet. But I'm willing to see where your redemption leads."
He nodded, understanding the significance of even this small step. "I won't disappoint you. Either of you."
After he left, Ava stood and wrapped her arms around me. "That was big of you." "You're rubbing off on me," I murmured into her hair.
"Your compassion is contagious." "Speaking of contagious," she pulled back with a small smile, "Dr. Winters wants to see us tomorrow."
"Is everything okay?"
"She wants to do a full examination. The power sharing ritual at Moonstone Ridge changed things, and she wants to make sure we're both healthy."
I studied her face, noting the slight pallor she'd had recently. "You've been tired lately." "We've all been tired. Building a new world is exhausting."
"Ava, if something's wrong..." "Nothing's wrong." She kissed me softly. "I promise. But speaking of building things, we still haven't set a date for our second wedding."
"How about next month? The full moon?" "That's only three weeks away."
"Too soon?" She smiled. "No. It's perfect. Small ceremony? Just pack and close allies?"
"Whatever you want. As long as you're there in a dress and I get to call you my wife again, I'm happy."
"You already call me your wife."
"Yes, but I want to do it right this time. With vows we mean, not ones driven by revenge."
"Our revenge marriage led to real love," she pointed out. "It did. But you deserve better than a courthouse ceremony with strangers as witnesses."
"I deserve you," she said simply.
"Everything else is just details." I kissed her deeply, pouring all my love through our bond. When we broke apart, I noticed her sway slightly.
"You need rest," I said firmly. "I need to review the medical distribution first." "That can wait until tomorrow."
"Marcus..." "No arguments. Alpha's orders." She laughed.
"Playing the alpha card?" "If that's what it takes to get you to take care of yourself, yes."
I swept her into my arms, carrying her toward our quarters despite her protests. "I can walk!" "I know. But I like carrying you."
"Controlling alpha," she muttered, but she was smiling. "Only when it comes to your health." I set her down on our bed, then lay beside her, pulling her against me.
Through our bond, I felt her exhaustion more clearly now that her walls were down.
"You're pushing too hard," I said softly.
"There's so much to do."
"And it doesn't all have to be done by you." I stroked her hair.
"We have people to help. Use them."
"I'm not good at delegating." "Learn. For me?" She turned to look at me.
"Using emotional manipulation now?" "Using honesty. I worry about you."
"And I love you for it." She kissed me gently. "I'll try to delegate more."
"Good." We lay quietly for a moment before she spoke again.
"Marcus? Do you think we're moving too fast with all these changes?" "Change was overdue. You just gave it a catalyst."
"But what if Roberts is right? What if some packs aren't ready?" "Then we show them the benefits through example, not force." I pulled her closer.
"Your mother's journal talked about patience in leadership. We have time."
"Do we? Sometimes I feel like something's coming. Like this peace is temporary."
"Then we enjoy it while it lasts and prepare for whatever comes next." She was quiet for so long I thought she'd fallen asleep.
Then she whispered, "I want children someday. But how can I bring them into a world that might still turn violent?" "We make the world better for them. The way we're doing now."
I placed my hand over her stomach. "And when the time is right, our children will inherit a world of unity, not division."
"You sound so certain."
"I am. Because I've seen what you're capable of, Ava Stone. You changed me from a bitter, revenge-focused man into someone who can consider forgiving his brother.
If you can do that, you can change the world."