Page 147 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

brYN

Tavi accompanied me to the garden. I’d reached out to her telepathically, asking if she’d like a change of pace, and she agreed.

We entered the gardens, the scent on the air shifting from clear and pine-scented to the comforting aromas of moist soil and fresh vegetation. I’d heard that the crops had withered during the short span of Troy’s reign, and as familiar as the garden looked, I saw that things were different.

In my memory, I saw lush fields filled with rich life, with bees and butterflies flitting from flower to flower.

The growing plants looked healthy, but the fields weren’t as plentiful.

Harvesting of the vegetables would account for some but not all of that loss.

It hurt my heart to see how Troy’s evil had hurt the health of the land.

“Wow,” Tavi said. “This is pretty amazing.”

I blinked. I’d been so focused on the fields that I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone. We walked along the perimeter of the garden. Mom and I had been among the only ones who worked the fields, but it seemed that Troy had sent a few more to help her while I was in Warg territory.

“What is?”

“Well, I knew the Kings had to have a huge garden to accommodate their size. But wow, you guys have, what, ten acres on us?”

I laughed. “That’s probably true, but many crops suffered because of Troy. I wish you could have seen it in its prime.”

“Don’t worry,” she said with a slight smile. “I’m sure things will get better in the wake of your and Night’s leadership.”

I looked at Tavi, my eyes wide. “Thank you so much, Tavi. It means a lot that you said that.”

“Well, remember, you and Night are building a lot of goodwill, right? You’re the descendant of the pack mother, and you and Night will have a baby who bridges the gap between Wargs and Kings. You’re kind of a big deal, you know?”

I’d never thought about it that way, but Tavi’s words sounded reasonable. “When you put it that way, you kind of make my baby sound like a prince or princess,” I giggled. “Or at least the heir to a huge fortune.”

She laughed with me. “I should’ve known you’d find a way to link what I said to the novels you read. But that’s not too far off, right? I think I’m right.”

“No, no, I think you’re right. It just surprised me.” I ran a hand over my stomach even though I wasn’t showing yet. I was still a little sad I wouldn’t be able to give my baby siblings, but I was happy to know I was continuing both Night’s legacy and the pack mother’s line. “Hey, Tavi?”

“Mmhm?”

“Did you know anything about the pack mother who stayed with the Wargs? I know you would’ve been a baby, but…”

She shook her head. “Not really. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It just occurred to me that I never asked you.”

“Yeah, the only thing I’ve been told was that it wasn’t known that we had the pack mother until after she’d been killed. I think only a few Wargs knew she was living among us. And somehow, the Kings who killed her knew about her.”

I was taken aback by that. “Really? I had no idea that it was a secret. Violet and Night never said that.”

“I don’t know why Violet never mentioned that, but I think Night never did because of how things deteriorated between us and the Kings. It’s less important that her identity was kept a secret from most of us than the fact that the Kings killed the last pack mother, you know?”

“Oh. I guess that makes some sense.” I mulled it over. “You’re a huge comfort to have around.”

“I’m glad you think so. I like being around you, too.” We shared smiles.

We let a few moments of silence pass between us, and I was surprised when Tavi was the first to break it.

“Can I ask you a weird question?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“Your term as alpha will be up in a few weeks. When you look back on being alpha, what will you think about it?”

I laughed because I wasn’t expecting her to ask something like that. “Honestly? I don’t even know how to answer that.”

“My bad. That was a dumb quest—”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant, Tavi. I’m just not sure how to put my emotions into words.” I thought about it a bit more, and Tavi gave me that space as we walked.

Den mother was a position that neither the Kings nor the Wargs had.

It was meant to be a more nurturing role, someone who oversaw gardening and kept track of births—things like that—but the Redwolfs had never appointed anyone for the position; the Wargs had been in survival mode for so long, they never took the time to fill the role.

My future responsibilities were a mystery to me, but if I continued proving to the Kings that I was strong, I would have some influence and still be able to do some good.

“There were a lot of things that I wanted to do that I probably won’t get to do,” I said.

“I would love to have a pack-wide meeting, but between my sickness and the mountains of paperwork we have to go through, there hasn’t been a good time for one.

I would love to spend more time with my pack individually—mostly to get to know them, but also to show them how wrong they were about me being weak.

The most I’ve accomplished has been reading paperwork, signing documents, and getting the rebuilding underway. I wish I had more time to do more.”

Tavi nodded.

“How do you think I did as alpha?” I asked.

“Well, when you consider what you had to work with—a pack where almost every wolf was against you and only a month to get anything done—I think you did well. I mean, I think what you got done was a net positive for the Kings, whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Tavi. What about you? How will you look back on being a beta?”

She chuckled. “Well, it’s been an interesting experience, to say the least. I never thought I could do this, even before all that stuff with Troy. My goal was just to stay by your side and be there when you needed me. I think I can say I more or less keep you out of trouble, huh?”

I laughed. “You know, you’re right. As far as I’m concerned, you pass with flying colors, Tavi. And I’m glad you won’t be obligated to read through all those boring documents once we’re through. Unless you want to.”

It occurred to me that without her job, Tavi might revert to the way she was just after we were rescued from Troy and his goons.

I studied her as she stared out over the fields.

Would she retreat again? Pull so far into herself that none of us could get her to come back out?

The thought terrified me, and for a few seconds, I wasn’t sure how to ask her about it.

I didn’t want to pressure her, and I didn’t want to diminish her good mood by asking about the past. Was it selfish of me not to want to lose my best friend again?

Could I ask her to check in with us once in a while, or would that be going too far?

While my thoughts spiraled, Tavi laughed a little to herself. “Bryn, I have another question.”

“Y-yeah?” I asked, trying to pack away those feelings and fears. “Ask me anything.”

“Even after Night becomes alpha and you become den mother, could I still be by your side?”

I paused. That had been the last thing I’d thought Tavi would say. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t know what the future holds.

But I know that being your beta allowed me to make some sense of life.

I feel like I have a purpose now. That’s not something I’m eager to leave behind, you know?

” She took a few deep breaths and went on.

“I don’t know if there’s an official term for it, but could I be your…

wingwoman? Or assistant den mother? I’m probably not making any sense.

I just want to keep protecting you and the baby to the best of my ability even when I’m no longer officially a beta.

” She looked at me, dark eyes shining. “Would that be okay?”

Tears once again pricked at the back of my eyes, and one slipped free before I could catch it.

I sniffled, chuckling as I wiped my face on my shoulder.

I’d always been emotional, but since becoming pregnant, it was even more difficult for me to keep it together.

But I couldn’t blame myself for getting misty-eyed now.

My term wasn’t over yet, but my best friend was asking to stay by my side long-term, and I didn’t have to worry about her pulling away from us again. What a relief. What an honor.

“Tavi, I would be delighted if you stayed at my right hand. Whatever my duties as den mother will end up being, I don’t think this pack will make our work easy for us. I’ll need all the help I can get, and I can’t imagine a better person to share that burden with.”

Tavi grinned at me, and it was a genuine grin, not an echo of the old Tavi; she was fully herself in that smile. “Well, then I look forward to working with you.” She held her hand out.

I nodded as I clasped it. “Likewise.” We shook on it, and I pulled her in for a hug. I held her as tightly as she’d let me.

Tavi and I finished our inventory of fresh vegetables, also noting the stocks of food in the underground cellar.

Despite Troy’s ruthless leadership style, we would have more than enough food to last us through the rest of the year.

Thankfully, Gregor had ensured the Kings were good about saving and preserving foods.

That was one of the few compliments I could give to that man.

After, I went back to the alpha cabin, and Tavi walked me there. That worked out well for me because I still needed to give her the red bracelet I’d gotten at the market. I went up the stairs, grabbed the bracelet from my nightstand drawer, and hurried back down.

“What are you up to?” Tavi asked, eyeing me with faux suspicion.

I grinned. “Hold out your wrist and close your eyes.”

She gave me another suspicious look, but she did as I asked. I carefully looped the bracelet around her arm so that it didn’t touch her skin. I held it there until I said, “Okay, open them,” and then let it fall against her skin.