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Kaylee

Watching Lucas chat happily with Titus and David while Daisy reclines by the bonfire with Amelia, Evette, and Avery feels like the calm before the storm. I wish this peace could last.

Dinner had been a fun affair. The omegas who had volunteered for duties were quick to keep the buffet filled, while Ivory Fangs’ wolves came and went to mingle with those from Growling Heart. I spent the time getting to know Avery and Daisy, finding myself laughing so hard that I couldn’t even drink my apple juice without nearly spitting it onto the table. During this laughing fit, Avery introduced me to her mate, Jamal, a beta wolf who had been kicked from his pack in Jamaica for not wanting to give up his right as a beta to his pack for his alpha’s brother-in-law.

He thought coming to Canada would bring better luck for him, as his cousin Daisy was here. He went to see her after exploring the country for a bit, and in the end, he was right. He met Avery when he found himself in the decoy town Growling Heart owns. At the time, Avery was just a warrior who had been notified by one of the townspeople that a rogue had wandered into town. From what the two told me, it was love at first sight.

Jordan’s father was still alpha at the time. When Avery brought Jamal to his office the next day after marking one another, the alpha accepted Jamal immediately, wanting to use his beta bloodline to strengthen the pack. Add on the fact that he was related to Daisy, and the alpha had no qualms about Jamal. It seems to be the only good thing that alpha did. Avery and Jamal had risen through the ranks slowly but surely until they helped take down Jordan and his men and became the beta pair for Titus and Daisy.

“Kaylee.”

I jump slightly at my name being called, turning to find Royce staring at me apologetically. Behind him stands Ash, a look of sadness hidden in his eyes as he scans the field. Something feels off, but I did say I would talk to Royce later.

“Can we go to your office to talk?” Royce asks, nodding towards the packhouse.

“Sure. It seems whatever you have to say is important,” I agree, placing my glass on the table. I can feel Lucas’ gaze one me, feel the bond hum with worry as I begin walking towards the packhouse again with Royce and Ash by my side.

[Everything okay, baby?] Lucas asks as Royce helps me climb the steps—my heels make it hard to do so without holding onto the railing or a hand.

[Yeah. Royce and Ash want to discuss something with me, so we’re heading to my office,] I answer, turning back to give Lucas a reassuring smile over my shoulder before passing through the doors.

Royce again helps me up the stairs to my office, and my friends are too quiet for comfort. My worry grows until we walk through my office door, where I find Devon sitting on the sofa, patiently waiting for us.

“I haven’t moved from this spot,” Devon says quickly, rising to his feet to bow towards me.

“I believe you. My alarms would have gone off if you tried doing anything in here,” I answer, striding to my desk and sinking into my plush office chair with a sigh. I regret wearing heels.

“But judging by how it’s the three of you, I’m guessing you all want to leave Ivory Fangs and move to Oak Fur if Lucas and I succeed in taking down Marilyn and Ramos,” I surmise, looking at the three males with a narrowed gaze.

Devon lets out a sigh of relief and slinks back onto the sofa while Ash and Royce remain standing before my desk.

“You’re not mad we want to leave with you?” Royce asks, eyes wide in surprise.

“No, I’m not. Have you talked to Amelia about this, though?” I answer, running my left hand through my hair.

“No. We wanted to hear your response first,” Royce admits, scratching the back of his neck.

“We know many Oak Fur wolves came here for a second chance. To get away from Ramos and Marilyn. They won’t want to return now that they’ve found a better way of life here,” Ash chimes in, his eyes trained on me.

I sigh, silently agreeing. Oak Fur was hell for a lot of those wolves. Even if Lucas and I could take Oak Fur back by force and start the pack on a new path, it would be a while before I felt like the place was safe enough to accept new packmates.

“So why do you want to come with us?” I ask in the end, wanting to understand why Ash and Royce would leave their home and the pack they grew up in.

“As you know, Ash and I were orphaned when Jordan’s father attacked us. We lost a lot of our family and friends,” Royce begins, sadness enveloping my friend. Ash nods, his eyes sad but his expression stoic, increasing my worry, but I remain quiet.

“Ash and I have been talking about leaving for a while but have held off since you and Amelia have done a lot of good here. With you and Lucas wanting to take back Oak Fur and change it for the better, we want to be a part of that. Help the wolves that need help like you did for us,” Royce continues. I sigh, closing my eyes to think over his words.

“I’ll have to talk to Lucas about this later, so I can’t say yes immediately. But if we agree to have you three join us, Devon will still have to be on probation before we accept him into our pack,” I answer finally.

All three men smile widely at me, thanking me for at least hearing them out. Devon readily agrees to continue the probation as long as he and Ash can be together, his words making me smile.

I’m glad that Ash has accepted Devon as his mate and happy that Devon would do anything to prove himself to Ash. Clearly, they’ve truly fallen for one another, and this hurdle in their relationship is just a small one for now. Once Devon has been accepted into a pack, I can see him and Ash completing the mate bond right away.

“I just have one condition,” I finally state, climbing from my chair and walking slowly around my desk to stand in front of Ash and Royce.

“What is it?” Ash asks, Devon coming to wrap his arms around my friend.

“If Lucas and I agree to accept you as our packmates, you have to tell Amelia and David of your decision. For now, they are still your alpha and Luan. You still need to respect their authority,” I answer.

Ash looks hesitant, while Royce readily agrees. With this matter settled, Ash and Devon leave my office, the two wanting some alone time while the pack is busy with the bonfire. Royce helps me down the steps, making sure I don’t trip in my heels and that I make it back to Lucas’ side in one piece.

“If we agree to have you both join, I want you to become my Head Hunter,” I tell my friend, watching him nearly trip beside me.

“You do?” Royce asks in disbelief. I smile, nodding my head as we step through the packhouse doors.

Alexander has now brought out his DJ equipment, standing behind the turn tables and mixing up some great songs with a crowd dancing in front of him.

“I do. Marco will be upset to see us leave—to see you and Ash leave—but you’re a Head Hunter here. Taking that position from you would be unfair when your skills will be valuable in reestablishing Oak Fur,” I explain, my eyes watching the crowd. As if sensing my gaze, Lucas looks at me with a glowing smile as he mouths ‘I love you’ to me.

“Then I accept. I’ll be your Head Hunter if you and Lucas accept me into your pack,” Royce states, returning my attention to him. “Who knows, maybe I’ll meet my mate there,” he adds, making me laugh.

“Maybe you will,” I agree. We smile at one another before descending the steps and making our way into the excited crowd. Tonight, we will enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow, the real training begins.