Chapter 89

Chapter 89
Kaedan's POV

The call from Alpha Rex came at dawn, jolting me from the first decent sleep I'd had since the pack review began three days ago.

"Kaedan," Rex's gravelly voice carried barely controlled frustration. "We need to talk. In person."

I'd been expecting this. Elder Marcus's concerns hadn't stayed within Stormfang borders—the old bastard had been reaching out to his contacts across the northern alliance, painting Gregory's potential appointment as a precedent that could destabilize pack hierarchy.

"How bad is it?" I asked, though I already suspected the answer would make my day infinitely worse.

"Bad enough that six Alphas are demanding an emergency meeting," Rex replied grimly. "They're saying if you can appoint wolfless individuals to leadership positions, it sets a precedent that could undermine traditional pack structure across all territories."

The political reality hit like a physical blow. This wasn't just about Gregory anymore—it was about the entire foundation of how northern packs operated.

"The thing is," Rex continued, "they're not entirely wrong about the implications. Word spreads fast in our community. If the great Alpha King Kaedan accepts wolfless into positions of authority, every pack will face pressure from their own wolfless members to do the same. Some of us aren't equipped for that kind of change."

Through the phone, I could hear the weight of leadership in his voice. Rex wasn't being prejudiced—he was being practical. The northern alliance worked because we maintained certain standards, certain expectations. Changing those suddenly could fracture everything we'd built.

"Blackstone territory, four o'clock this afternoon," Rex said. "You convince us this won't tear apart the alliance, or the political pressure will force you to reverse your decision anyway. No Alpha can stand alone against unified opposition, not even you."

The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone in the pre-dawn darkness.

I called Rook immediately.

"The Gregory situation just went regional," I said without preamble. "Emergency Alpha council meeting this afternoon."

"Fuck," Rook's response was immediate and heartfelt. "How many?"

"Six confirmed. Rex is hosting, which means he's trying to be neutral, but if he's calling the meeting..." I let the implication hang.

"He's concerned enough to risk alliance stability," Rook finished. "What do you need?"

"Full briefing on every Alpha attending. Their pack structures, their positions on wolfless integration, any political debts or alliances that might influence their votes."

"I'll have it ready in two hours."

After hanging up, I sat in the darkness of my temporary quarters, weighing my options. I could refuse to attend—maintain that Stormfang's internal decisions were no one else's business. But that would fracture the northern alliance and leave Gregory facing opposition from multiple packs.

Or I could go and try to convince six traditional Alpha leaders that a wolfless man deserved a chance to prove himself.

Neither option guaranteed success, but only one gave Gregory a fighting chance.

I reached for my phone to call Nephele, then stopped. They were finally feeling secure. I wouldn't shatter that peace until I knew what we were facing.

But every instinct screamed against leaving them now, when Gregory was about to face judgment and Nephele was finally feeling safe. The mate bond hummed with restless anxiety—not just mine, but the echo of her concern from our connection.

Through our bond, I could sense her stirring awake, probably feeling my distress even at this distance.

My phone buzzed with a text from her: [Everything okay? The bond feels... tense.]

I stared at the message, torn between honesty and protection.

[Pack politics escalated overnight. Need to handle some alliance issues today. I'll call you later.]

Her response came immediately: [Be careful. We love you.]

The simple words hit harder than they should have. We. She and Gregory, the family I was fighting to protect, to give a place in my world.

[Love you both too. This will work out.]

I hoped like hell I wasn't lying.

Two hours later, I was on the road with Rook's briefings spread across the passenger seat. The three-hour drive through snow-thick mountain passes gave me time to plan my approach.

Alpha Rex—pragmatic, old-school, but fair. He'd called this meeting, which meant he was genuinely concerned about alliance stability, not just prejudiced against Gregory.

Alpha Garrett—traditionalist with deep roots in military pack structure. He'd see Gregory's wolfless status as a fundamental weakness.

Alpha Senna—sharp, political, always calculating. She'd be weighing the precedent implications more than personal feelings about Gregory.

Alpha Brynn—younger, more progressive, but cautious about anything that might destabilize his newly inherited territory.

Alpha Cale and Alpha Randal—wild cards, likely to follow the majority consensus.

By the time I reached Blackstone's main hall, I had my strategy mapped out. Appeal to their practical concerns, address the precedent issues directly, and offer compromises that would let everyone save face.

The smoke-filled conference room at Blackstone reeked of whiskey and tension. Six Alpha leaders sat around the oak table, expressions ranging from concerned to hostile.

"Let's cut to the chase," Alpha Garrett said, his weathered face creased with concern. "You want to appoint a wolfless man to train our warriors. Do you understand what that means for the rest of us?"

I met his gaze steadily. "It means judging someone by their abilities instead of their limitations."

"It means setting a precedent that could destabilize every pack in the alliance," Alpha Senna interjected, her silver hair catching the lamplight. "I've got three wolfless pack members who've already heard rumors about this appointment. They're demanding similar opportunities."

"And what's wrong with that?" I asked. "If they're qualified—"

"Are they?" Alpha Brynn leaned forward. "That's the issue, Kaedan. Some wolfless individuals might have valuable skills, but others..." He shrugged. "How do we separate capability from accommodation?"

The traditional challenge hung in the air—each question demanded a response, and pack protocol required I drink to show respect for their concerns. I lifted my glass, keeping the sips measured. Getting drunk would only prove their point about compromised judgment.

"Gregory won't need accommodation because he's more qualified than most of our current instructors," I said, setting the glass down with deliberate control. "Twenty-two years of survival against magical torture, tactical knowledge gained through experience most of us can't imagine, and combat skills tested in life-or-death situations."

"But what about leadership?" Alpha Cale spoke for the first time. "Training isn't just about technical knowledge. Can a wolfless man command respect from shifters who could tear him apart?"

"Can any instructor?" I countered. "Respect isn't earned through physical dominance—it's earned through competence and character. Gregory has both."

Silence fell like a hammer blow. Six Alpha leaders stared at me across the table, their expressions unreadable. Ice crystals spread slowly across the wood where my hands rested—a visible reminder of the power backing my words.

But power alone wouldn't win this argument. Not against leaders who'd built their authority on traditions older than any of us.

Rex's scarred fingers drummed once against the table, then stilled. Alpha Senna's calculating gaze never left my face.

This was it. The moment that would determine whether Gregory got his chance—or whether politics would crush him under the weight of what he couldn't change.

The next words spoken would decide everything.