Page 47 of Fated (The Bonded Legacy #1)

Alaric inhaled deeply, refilling his coffee and stirring in two sugars.

“I was too young then to really understand the enormity of it, but packs don’t leave the Collective.

For the most favored pack to do so, and in such a dramatic way.

..” He stared into his mug as if searching for answers in the dark liquid.

“I’m not saying Odin was completely right in his assessment, but given everything since, I’m not sure he was wrong either. ”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not just the rogues plaguing our community,” Alaric explained, voice growing more serious.

“It’s the decline in birthrates, especially in the legacy bloodlines.

Have you noticed that most of the alphas, betas, gammas, and their heirs are only children?

Our community is shrinking, even without the losses to rogue attacks. ”

The observation rooted itself in Caleb’s chest like a splinter. He thought of the leaders he’d met at the summit—so many were indeed only children.

“And then there’s the mating bonds,” Alaric continued. “We’re constantly filing chosen pair marriage certificates, but it’s been over twenty years since a chosen mating received the Goddess’s blessing. Twenty years , Caleb...”

The ambient sounds of the diner—food dropping into fryers, diners’ soft chatter, the bell sounding in the pickup window—felt impossibly loud against the elder’s silence. Caleb found himself bracing for the gravity of what was coming.

When Alaric finally spoke again, his voice was heavy.

“I worry our people may have lost, or be on the brink of losing, Selene’s favor.

That our existence will fade without Her blessings.

And worse, that most have gotten so comfortable with arranged marriages and heat inducers and constant rogue threats that they either don’t notice or don’t care. ”

Caleb’s equilibrium faltered as he took in each revelation. “And you want me to make them care?” he asked, incredulous. “What makes you think anyone would listen to me?”

Alaric waved a dismissive hand. “If your grandfather’s warnings did nothing to sway the alphas, especially when Crescent Fang was still revered, I doubt you taking that approach would move the needle.”

“Then what do you want?”

“I want you to be here. With us. Help us remember—not through force or preaching, but through your actions. Be the example of Selene’s favor in this modern world.”

“I don’t—”

“I’m not suggesting you do anything you haven’t done already,” Alaric interrupted gently. “Look at the impact you had at the summit. At what you’re already doing to open your lands to wolves in need.”

“We will show them who we are.” Fenrir’s voice was certain, proud. “Remind them we belong to Her.”

Their waitress appeared tableside. “You boys want anything boxed up?”

“Yes, please,” they said in unison.

“And box up a slice of pie for my friend here as well,” Alaric added with a grin.

As she collected their plates, Alaric shook his head. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to get so far off track or dump all this responsibility on you.” He pulled his laptop back in front of him. “Shall we get back to the practical matters?”

Caleb nodded, grateful for the reprieve, and retrieved his own laptop from his bag.

For the next thirty minutes, Alaric guided him through the Collective’s database—the newsfeed, payment portal, document library, delegation visit calendar, and how to complete Crescent Fang’s profile and upload their pack registries.

The sheer volume of information must have shown on Caleb’s face because Alaric placed a reassuring hand over his.

“It’s a lot, but you have six weeks to get it all completed. After that, it’s just maintenance. If you need more time, just let me know.”

The waitress returned with their checks and to-go containers. “Here you go. I can close you out whenever you’re ready.”

Alaric grabbed his wallet and placed his card over both checks. “My treat.”

“Thank you,” Caleb said.

“Alright.” Alaric clapped his hands. “Last order of business. Would you like to register any alliances? I assume you’ll be formalizing your relationship with Night Walker?”

“We’ve signed the paperwork and returned it to Lucien. I expect it will be submitted shortly. There have been talks with Moonshadow as well, and we plan to participate in delegation visits. I should know more after those conclude.”

“If I may make a suggestion?”

“Of course.”

“Hold off on hosting for now. Accept the invitations you receive and visit those packs first. Think about who you’d like to spend more time with before inviting anyone to your lands.

” Alaric leaned forward earnestly. “I’d even suggest holding off on making formal agreements until you know what would be asked of you and your pack.

You don’t need alliances to be part of the community.

And you may find the ‘something for something’ approach some alphas take to be less advantageous for Crescent Fang, given all you have to offer. ”

Caleb considered the advice. Based on what he’d observed at the summit, he’d thought Moonshadow and maybe Blackwater might be the only connections his council would endorse. Given his pack’s anxiety about outsiders visiting their territory, Alaric’s recommendation was a relief.

“Sound advice,” Caleb acknowledged. “Garrick said something similar at the closing reception.”

“Ah, smart male!” He pointed at Caleb. “And a good contact for you as a newer pack to the Collective.”

They gathered their belongings and slid out of the booth, grabbing the to-go bags. Outside in the parking lot, the morning air had warmed, carrying the promise of another beautiful early-spring day.

Caleb extended his hand to the elder. “Thank you for your time, insight, and advice, Alaric. This has been...enlightening.”

Alaric gave him a firm handshake. “Reintegration will change things for you, Caleb, and there will be a spotlight on Crescent Fang for some time. But that doesn’t mean you have to change who you are. In fact, I hope you don’t.”

Caleb dipped his head in acknowledgment and made his way to his Silverado. As he settled behind the wheel, Fenrir’s presence filled his consciousness with quiet certainty.

“The path becomes clearer,” his wolf observed. “Odin saw darkness. We must be the light to guide them back.”

Starting the engine, Caleb had much to discuss with his council when he returned home, but that could wait for their scheduled meeting later in the week.

Right now, he needed a run through the forests of home and the chance to lose himself in Asher’s body.

His grandfather’s legacy and the expectations now resting on his shoulders felt manageable when he thought of his beta’s warmth.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, pie box on his passenger seat filling the cab with the scent of apples and cinnamon, Caleb rolled down the windows and let the cool air wash over him.

Alaric’s revelations settled in his chest as the diner disappeared in his rearview mirror, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that this breakfast had been more than just an orientation.

It felt like the beginning of something much larger—something Odin had seen coming decades ago.

The drive home stretched ahead of him, giving him time to process. By the time he reached Crescent Fang’s borders, he would need to be ready to pick up the torch his grandfather had surrendered all those years ago, even if it meant walking into an uncertain future.

But first, he thought with a small smile, he would enjoy every moment of peace he could steal with Asher before the real work began.