Chapter 61 Declan's Fear (Declan POV)

Chapter 61 Declan's Fear (Declan POV)

My wolf snarled when Owen deferred to Vivienne before me, and that's when I knew we had a problem.
"Should we run morning patrol along the north route or circle back through the east woods?" Owen asked, directing the question to where Vivienne sat reviewing Gabriel's training notes.
She looked up, startled. "Why are you asking me?"
"Because you're..." Owen trailed off, seeming to realize what he'd just done. His eyes flicked to me. "Sorry, Dec. Habit, I guess?"
"Habit?" My voice came out harder than intended. "You've been in my pack for six years. When did deferring to someone else become habit?"
Owen shifted uncomfortably. "It's not like that. It's just... after last night, when she compelled everyone, my wolf recognizes her authority automatically. It's not conscious."
"Then make it conscious." I stood, Alpha force bleeding into my posture. "I'm still Alpha of this pack. Pack hierarchy hasn't changed just because Vivienne has Silvermane abilities."
"Hasn't it, though?" Kieran spoke from the doorway, his expression challenging. "Your mate can override your authority with a few words in the ancient tongue. She dominated you in front of two other packs. Every wolf in that room felt her power supersede yours."
The words landed like a physical blow because they were true.
"This is exactly what I warned you about," Callum said quietly from his position by the window. "Vivienne's power disrupts traditional pack structure. If you can't maintain authority over your own mate, the pack won't follow you. They'll follow her."
"She doesn't want to lead the pack."
"Doesn't matter what she wants. Wolves respond to dominance hierarchy instinctively. She's demonstrated superior dominance. Your wolf knows it. Every pack member's wolf knows it." Callum closed his tablet. "The question is whether you can adapt to that reality or whether it destroys your ability to lead."
I wanted to argue. Wanted to assert that Alpha authority was mine by right, by tradition, by the challenge I'd won when my father died. But my wolf was already uncertain, already recognizing that Vivienne's power transcended normal pack hierarchy.
"What do you suggest?" I asked, hating how the question felt like admission of weakness.
"Honestly? I don't know. Traditional pack structure doesn't account for Silvermanes. They're outside the hierarchy… above it, technically." Callum pulled up historical records on his tablet. "The last documented Silvermane Alpha was in 1847. She commanded six packs simultaneously through genetic authority that superseded individual Alpha claims. Most Alphas of that era hated it, but they followed her because their wolves recognized superior dominance."
"So I just... accept being subordinate to my own mate?"
"Or you accept being partners with someone whose power is different from yours, not superior." Owen was trying to help, I could tell. "Like, you lead through tactical skill and pack loyalty. She leads through genetic authority and Silvermane abilities. Different strengths, both necessary."
"That's not how pack hierarchy works."
"Maybe pack hierarchy needs to change," Kieran said bluntly. "Because traditional structure is going to crumble when Vivienne accidentally compels everyone during combat. We need a framework that accounts for what she is."
The door opened. Vivienne entered, immediately sensing the tension.
"What's going on?" She looked between us. "I could hear raised voices from the hallway."
"Pack politics," I said shortly. "Nothing you need to worry about."
"If it involves me, I need to worry about it." She moved to the center of the room. "What were you arguing about?"
Silence. No one wanted to tell her.
Finally, Callum spoke. "Pack members are starting to defer to you before Declan. Owen asked you about patrol routes instead of asking his Alpha. It's creating tension in the hierarchy."
Vivienne paled. "I didn't ask for that. I don't want to undermine Declan's authority."
"You're not asking for it. You're just existing with power that supersedes normal Alpha dominance." Callum's tone was matter-of-fact. "Every wolf's instinct is to defer to superior dominance. You demonstrated that superiority last night. The pack is responding accordingly."
"Then I'll fix it. I'll tell everyone I'm not trying to… "
"Words won't change instinctive responses," Kieran interrupted. "Your wolf is dominant. Our wolves recognize that dominance. You can't talk your way out of genetic hierarchy."
"So what am I supposed to do? Suppress my abilities so Declan can maintain Alpha status?"
"No one's suggesting that," I said quickly, though part of me had briefly considered exactly that. "We're just... trying to figure out how this works. How we maintain pack cohesion when traditional hierarchy doesn't apply."
"By acknowledging I shouldn't be in the pack." Vivienne's voice was quiet but firm. "If my presence disrupts your authority, maybe I should train separately. Stay with Gabriel's pack where my power doesn't create political complications."
My wolf snarled at that suggestion. "Absolutely not. You're my mate. You belong in this pack."
"Do I? Or do I belong outside pack structure entirely?" She looked around the room. "Gabriel warned me Silvermanes historically operated independently because their power disrupted pack hierarchy. Maybe he was right. Maybe I'm not meant to be part of traditional pack dynamics."
"That's isolation," Owen protested. "You'd be alone."
"I'd be preventing pack fracture." She met my eyes. "Declan, I love you. But I'm not going to destroy your ability to lead just by existing. If the pack can't function with both of us in it, then one of us needs to leave."
"It's not that simple… "
"It is that simple. You're Alpha. Your authority matters to pack stability. I'm..." she gestured vaguely, "...something else that doesn't fit. One of those things has to change or the pack falls apart."
Callum cleared his throat. "There's a third option. Restructure pack hierarchy to accommodate what Vivienne is."
"How?" I demanded. "Werewolf pack structure is thousands of years old. You don't just restructure it."
"Silvermanes are older than pack structure. Their authority predates the Alpha system." Callum pulled up more historical documents. "Before modern pack hierarchy, wolves followed Silvermane family leaders through genetic dominance. The Alpha system developed later, after Silvermanes were hunted nearly to extinction. We're essentially watching history reverse… Silvermane authority reemerging after a century of absence."
"So we're supposed to what? Abandon pack structure entirely?"
"We're supposed to acknowledge that Vivienne operates outside pack structure while you operate within it. Two different authority systems coexisting." Callum showed us a diagram. "Think of it like... Vivienne is the moon and you're the sun. Both provide light, both are necessary, but they work on different cycles. Her power doesn't diminish yours… it just exists in parallel."
"That's a nice metaphor," Kieran said. "Doesn't solve the practical problem of wolves deferring to her instead of Declan."
"Actually, it does." Callum expanded the diagram. "If we establish clear areas of authority… Declan handles pack logistics, territory, day-to-day decisions. Vivienne handles anything requiring Silvermane abilities or ancient law. Wolves defer to whichever authority is appropriate for the situation."
"That could work," Owen said slowly. "Like, I ask Declan about patrol routes because that's pack logistics. I'd ask Vivienne about... I don't know, forced transformations or something."
"Exactly. Separate but complementary authorities."
I looked at Vivienne, trying to read her reaction. "What do you think?"
"I think it sounds complicated. And potentially unstable." She sat down, looking exhausted. "But I'm willing to try if it means staying in the pack without undermining your position."
"It won't be undermining," Callum insisted. "It'll be partnership. Declan leads through traditional pack structure. Vivienne provides Silvermane authority when needed. The pack benefits from both."
Kieran crossed his arms. "And when those authorities conflict? When Declan says one thing and Vivienne says another?"
"Then we communicate like adults and reach consensus," I said, forcing confidence I didn't entirely feel. "We're mates. We're supposed to be partners. This is just... formalizing that partnership in pack terms."
"Assuming the pack accepts it," Kieran said. "Some won't like having dual authority. Will see it as weak leadership."
"Then those wolves can challenge me," I said flatly. "I'm still Alpha. I still defend my position through traditional means. Vivienne's presence doesn't change that."
"Doesn't it?" Kieran's challenge was direct. "Your mate can compel you to your knees with a few words. How do you defend Alpha position against someone who can override your will?"
The question hung in the air.
"I don't," I said finally. "Because Vivienne's not challenging for Alpha position. She's not trying to lead the pack. She's just trying to exist without destroying pack cohesion." I looked at Kieran. "If you think her power makes me unfit to lead, challenge me properly. But don't question my authority through implications."
Kieran held my gaze for a long moment. Then nodded. "Fair. I'm not challenging. Just pointing out complications."
"Complications I'm aware of." I turned to Vivienne. "Can we make this work? Separate authorities, clear divisions of responsibility, partnership instead of competition?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But I'm willing to try. The alternative is me leaving the pack, and I don't want that."
"Neither do I."
"Right, so we're agreed on dual authority structure," Callum said, making notes. "I'll draft formal protocols for who handles what. Establish clear boundaries so wolves know which authority to defer to in different situations."
"This is unprecedented," Owen observed. "Like, completely unprecedented in modern pack politics."
"Vivienne is unprecedented," I said. "We're adapting."
"Or we're making it up as we go and hoping it doesn't explode in our faces."
"That too."
Vivienne stood. "I need air. This is... a lot."
She left before anyone could respond.
After the door closed, Kieran spoke. "This is going to be a disaster. You realize that, right?"
"It might be," I acknowledged. "But what's the alternative? Suppress Vivienne's abilities? Ask her to leave? Neither of those options is acceptable."
"So we restructure pack hierarchy around your mate and hope traditional pack members accept it."
"We restructure to accommodate reality. Vivienne's power isn't going away. We either adapt or we fracture." I looked around the room. "Anyone who has a better solution, speak now."
Silence.
"Right. Then we try Callum's dual authority structure and we adjust as needed." I headed for the door. "Meeting over. I need to talk to my mate."
I found Vivienne on the roof… her usual retreat when overwhelmed. She was sitting at the edge, feet dangling over nothing, staring at the morning sky.
"Mind if I join you?" I asked.
"It's your pack's safe house. I can't exactly forbid you."
I sat beside her anyway. "I'm sorry. For the tension, for the politics, for everything becoming complicated."
"You're apologizing for things you didn't cause." She didn't look at me. "I'm the complication. My power disrupts everything."
"Your power is part of who you are. I'm not going to resent you for being Silvermane."
"Aren't you?" Now she looked at me, eyes searching. "Be honest, Declan. When Owen deferred to me instead of you, how did that make you feel?"
I wanted to lie. Say it didn't bother me, that I was perfectly fine with my mate superseding my authority.
But she deserved honesty.
"It made my wolf furious," I admitted. "Alpha instinct demands pack members defer to me. When they don't, it feels like challenge to my position. Having my own mate be the reason they're not deferring..." I trailed off.
"Undermines everything you are as Alpha."
"Not everything. Just... traditional pack hierarchy that I've been trained to maintain since I was sixteen." I ran a hand through my hair. "My father taught me that Alpha authority is absolute. That pack stability depends on clear hierarchy. And now my mate has power that makes that hierarchy meaningless."
"So we're incompatible. Pack Alpha and Silvermane can't coexist."
"I didn't say that."
"You're thinking it."
"I'm thinking it's complicated. But complications can be worked through." I took her hand. "Vivienne, I love you. That hasn't changed. Yes, my Alpha instincts are struggling with your power. Yes, pack hierarchy is being disrupted. But we'll figure it out."
"Will we? Or are we just delaying inevitable fracture?" She pulled her hand away. "Maybe Gabriel was right. Maybe Silvermanes are meant to operate alone because their power is incompatible with pack structure."
"Gabriel operates alone because Edmund hunted his pack to near-extinction. That's trauma response, not genetic imperative."
"Is it? Or is it practical acknowledgment that Silvermane power breaks traditional pack dynamics?" She stood, pacing the rooftop. "Last night I accidentally compelled three Alphas. This morning your pack members are deferring to me instead of you. Tomorrow, what? I accidentally compel you during an argument and destroy your authority completely?"
"That won't happen."
"You don't know that. My power responds to emotional state. When I'm frustrated or threatened, it manifests whether I want it to or not. What happens when we have a serious fight? When pack politics create tension between us? Do I just accidentally dominate you every time we disagree?"
The scenario she described made my wolf snarl. But I forced calm. "Then we practice. You develop control. We establish boundaries. Same as any relationship dealing with power dynamics."
"This isn't normal power dynamics, Declan. This is genetic dominance hierarchy that supersedes your Alpha authority. There's no relationship advice column for 'my mate can override my free will with spoken word.'"
Despite everything, I laughed. "No, probably not. But we're not the first Alpha and Silvermane to be mates. Historical records show it's happened before."
"And how did those relationships end?"
"Badly, mostly. Political complications, jealous pack members, external threats." I stood, moved closer. "But some worked. Some found balance. Callum's dual authority structure isn't perfect, but it's a starting point."
"A starting point to what? You slowly losing Alpha status as the pack defers to me more and more? Me accidentally compelling you every time I lose control?" She shook her head. "I don't see how this ends well."
"Then you're not looking hard enough." I caught her hand again, held it even when she tried to pull away. "Vivienne, yes, your power disrupts traditional pack hierarchy. Yes, my Alpha instincts are struggling to adapt. But we're more than just Alpha and Silvermane. We're mates. Partners. We chose each other."
"Before we knew what I was."
"I knew you were Silvermane when I claimed you. Gabriel told me about your bloodline weeks ago. I chose you anyway."
"You didn't know I'd be this powerful."
"Neither did you. We're both adapting." I pulled her closer. "Look, I'm not going to pretend this is easy. My wolf hates not being the dominant force in the relationship. Alpha ego is deeply bruised. But I also recognize that your power isn't about dominating me—it's about surviving Edmund's genocide attempt."
"That's tactical rationalization."
"That's reality. We need your Silvermane abilities to stop Edmund. Which means we need you functional within pack structure, not isolated and disconnected." I made her look at me. "I can adapt. My wolf can adapt. The pack can adapt. We just need time and clear protocols."
"And if adaptation fails?"
"Then we try something else. But I'm not giving up on this relationship because pack hierarchy is complicated. I'm not Edmund, Vivienne. I'm not going to suppress what you are because it makes my life easier."
She was quiet for a long moment. "You're really okay with me being more powerful than you?"
"I'm working toward being okay with it. Currently I'm at 'intellectually accepting while emotionally struggling.'" I managed a wry smile. "But I'll get there. My ego will recover from not being the most dominant wolf in the relationship."
"You make it sound simple."
"It's not simple. It's messy and complicated and probably going to create ongoing tension. But it's also worth it." I cupped her face. "You're worth it. We're worth it. I love you… not the suppressed human Edmund tried to create, but the actual Silvermane you're becoming. All of it, including the power that terrifies us both."
"I compelled you to your knees."
"And I forgive you for that. It was an accident. You were frustrated, lost control for a second, immediately released us." I kissed her forehead. "If you'd held the compulsion, if you'd reveled in forcing submission, that would concern me. But you didn't. You hated it. That matters."
"Does it? Or is that just rationalization because you love me?"
"Probably both." I pulled her into a proper embrace. "Look, we have one week until The Culling. Can we table the existential crisis about power dynamics until after we survive Edmund's genocide attempt?"
She laughed against my chest. "That's terrible prioritization."
"That's survival pragmatism. One crisis at a time." I felt her tension easing slightly. "Callum will draft protocols for dual authority. We'll present them to the pack, establish clear boundaries. Some wolves will resist, but most will adapt once they understand the structure."
"And if they don't?"
"Then I defend my Alpha position through traditional means and we keep working on it." I stepped back, looked her in the eyes. "Vivienne, I'm not losing you over pack politics. We'll figure this out. Together."
"You sound very certain."
"I'm projecting confidence to make both of us feel better. Inside I'm moderately terrified this will explode catastrophically." I grinned. "But that's leadership—acting certain while internally screaming."
"That's terrible leadership advice."
"That's honest leadership advice. The fake-it-till-you-make-it approach." I pulled her toward the roof access door. "Come on. We should talk to Callum about those protocols. Establish framework before Gabriel starts your six hours of emotional regulation training."
"I'm really not looking forward to that."
"Rachel promised to make you furious in controlled environments. Should be character-building."
"Should be traumatic."
"That too."
We headed downstairs, the tension between us eased if not entirely resolved. The pack hierarchy question remained, complicated and messy and without clear solutions.
But we'd face it together.
I chose to believe we could do it.
My wolf was still skeptical, but that was a problem for future Declan to handle.