Page 78 of Jace's Mate

“That’s one option,” Ragnor said thoughtfully.Then, “Do youwantto leave?”

They blinked at him, stunned.Stephan sat up straighter.“We have to.We don’t belong anymore.”

“Actually,” Ragnor said evenly, “you do.”

They stared at him.

“You were asked to spy on your Alpha,” he said.“But you didn’t.You’ve worked hard all week.You’ve earned respect on those docks.And now, when you could have stayed quiet, you walked in here and told the truth.That’s not betrayal.”

He gave each of them a level look.“That’sloyalty.That’s what pack membership is all about.”

James was the first to find his voice.“You mean… we’re not getting kicked out?”

“You mean wecanstay?”Stephan asked, half in disbelief.

“Youshouldstay,” Ragnor said firmly.“If you’re willing, I’d like you to remain part of this pack.We need men who are brave enough to face their mistakes—and choose to do better.”

At the stunned expressions on the boys’ faces, Ragnor pressed on.

“You protected us.You were asked to betray the pack,” he said, voice steady.“Instead, you worked hard.You earned your place.And when it came time to choose between loyalty and fear, you chose integrity.”His eyes flicked between them.“That means something.It means everything.”

He smiled faintly, but his tone stayed firm.“I’m asking you not to leave.I’m asking you to stay—and to help protect the very pack you just defended.”

The boys looked dazed, as if they couldn’t quite believe what they were hearing.

“You mean…” James’ voice faltered.“We could be pack members?But the Alpha—”

“I would bedamn proudto have you in my pack,” Jace said, stepping into the room.

The boys jumped at the sound of his voice.He didn’t raise it—but the intensity in his eyes struck like a hammer.They immediately dropped their heads, voices overlapping.

“We’re sorry, Alpha—so sorry—”

Jace walked to the head of the table and took his seat, gaze steady.“You did exactly what I asked.You worked hard.And when someone tried to use you, you came forward.”

He looked at Ragnor, then back to the boys.“You protected this pack—and now it’s our turn to protect you.If you’ll let us.”

There was a pause, thick with hope and disbelief.

Stephan leaned forward, hesitant.“You mean… you’d let usjoin?”

Before Jace could answer, the door opened again.

Megin and Ciaran stepped inside like sentinels, broad-shouldered and quiet.They didn’t speak—just leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.Their presence alone seemed to answer Stephan’s question.

Jace inclined his head toward the boys.“We would be honored.”

The door behind him opened a final time, almost silently.Jace didn’t have to turn.He felt Anikka enter the room before she even crossed the threshold.Her presence tightened something in his chest.

But she hesitated.He could sense it.Her anxiety clung to the air.

He didn’t understand it, not fully—but he would.In time.

“What do you say?”he asked gently, addressing the boys.“Will you stay?Will you help us guard this pack’s peace, its people, its future?”

The three teens straightened up, shoulders squaring, chests rising.For the first time, Jace saw something spark behind their eyes.

Pride.