Page 15 of Malcolm (The Sunburst Pack #1)

“T HERE’S ONE MORE THING the pack needs to know about their new potential alphas,” Gregory said, his lips curling into a sneer.

A chill ran down Larissa’s spine. Malcolm stiffened beside her, his body coiling with tension. The air seemed to thicken, pressing down on her as if trying to smother her.

Gregory’s eyes glistened with malicious triumph as he continued. “It seems our esteemed leaders have a rather…intimate way of conducting their patrols.”

Larissa’s stomach plummeted toward her feet.

No. He couldn’t possibly know.

“Hannah and I were witness to a most interesting sight during our return,” Gregory said, his voice dripping with false concern. “Our new contenders for the alpha position, locked in a passionate embrace, neglecting their duties to indulge in a little…personal time.”

The silence that followed echoed with the pack’s shock and judgment.

Larissa’s every nerve ending came suddenly, painfully alive, as if she’d been doused in ice water.

She wanted nothing more than to shift, to flee into the desert and never look back. But she forced herself to stand tall, even as shame slithered through her veins.

She risked a glance at the pack, immediately wishing she hadn’t. Shock. Disappointment. Judgment. Each expression was a stark reminder of how thoroughly she’d failed in her duty.

Beside her, Malcolm’s scent spiked with anger and embarrassment. She could sense his desire to lash out, to defend them both. But what defense could there be? They’d been caught, red-handed, neglecting their responsibilities for a few minutes of selfish indulgence.

Nick stepped into the stunned silence, his expression, a blend of disappointment and concern, making Larissa’s stomach churn. “Is this true?”

Larissa’s mind raced, searching frantically for some explanation, some justification for their actions. But there was none. They had failed, plain and simple. And now, because of their weakness, Gregory and Hannah had managed to return to the pack’s territory undetected.

The memory of the kiss rose unbidden in her mind.

The feel of Malcolm’s body pressed against hers.

The combination of their scents. The fever that had flashed through her at the first touch of his lips.

For those few precious moments, there had been nothing but Malcolm, nothing but the passion that had been building between them for so long.

Now that same memory filled her with self-loathing. How could she have been so foolish? So weak? She was supposed to be a leader, someone the pack could rely on. Instead, she’d let her base instincts override her duty, potentially putting the entire pack at risk.

Gregory’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Their lapse in judgment provided the perfect opportunity for Hannah and I to slip back into pack territory,” he said. “Who knows what might have happened if we’d had more nefarious intentions?”

The implication hung heavy in the air. Some of the younger pack members looked at her with expressions of awe and scandal, as if they couldn’t decide whether to be impressed by her daring or appalled by her irresponsibility. The emotions on their faces only fueled her embarrassment further.

Malcolm stepped forward, his voice rough with suppressed emotion. “It was a momentary lapse,” he said, the words sounding hollow even to Larissa’s ears. “It won’t happen again.”

Never again , she vowed silently. I will never allow my feelings to compromise my duty again.

She steeled herself, pushing away the memory of Malcolm’s kiss, of the way it had made her feel. The pack needed a leader, not a lovesick fool. She would be that leader, no matter the personal cost.

Nick’s voice cut through the tension. “While this is…concerning,” he said, his tone carefully measured, “we have more pressing matters to discuss. Namely, how to deal with Gregory and Hannah’s return.”

I don’t believe there is anything to discuss,” Gregory said. “Hannah and I are still part of this pack, aren’t we?”

“You are.” Nick glanced out at a few of the other pack members who had sided with Victor until it had become clear they were on the losing side. “But like everyone else in Sunburst, you’ll both have to renew your pack vows once the new alpha is chosen.”

“Of course,” Gregory said easily. “We just want to rejoin our pack.”

“Before anything else,,” Anders spoke up, “I think we should work on plugging our security holes.” His gaze flickered toward Larissa and then Malcolm. “No matter what happened, we should have more safeguards in place than simply a patrol.”

“Agreed,” Nick said. “We’ll put off the final alpha challenge until we’ve worked out some new security details.”

As the conversation turned to strategy and security measures, Gregory and Hannah melted into the crowd.

The next time Larissa looked for them, she saw Hannah chatting with one of the other women who had originally supported Victor.

Gregory stood nearby, a small, smug smile on his face as he watched the debate unfolding among the pack’s new leadership.

He’s enjoying stirring up trouble, she thought.

Then again, he always had. Larissa’s mind kept replaying Gregory’s revelation, how carefully he’d examined first her face, then Malcolm’s, for signs that he’d caused them pain. She was certain she’d caught glee flashing through Gregory’s expression.

Worse, though, she couldn’t quit remembering the looks on her packmates’ faces, the crushing weight of her own failure. She forced herself to engage, to offer suggestions and insights, desperate to prove she was still worthy of the trust Nick had placed in her.

Now, throughout the security discussion, Malcolm’s gaze lingered on her.

She risked a glance in his direction, immediately regretting it. She wavered, the desire to comfort him, to seek comfort in return, nearly overwhelming her resolve.

No , she reminded herself harshly, turning away. That way lies ruin .

She had made a mistake, yes. But she wouldn’t let it define her, she decided. She would prove herself as a leader, would show the pack that their trust in her wasn’t misplaced.

And if that meant pushing aside her feelings for Malcolm, burying them so deep they’d never see the light of day again, then so be it.

“Larissa?” Nick’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Do you have anything to add?”

She straightened, meeting his gaze squarely. “Yes,” she said. “I think we need to implement a new patrol system. Rotating partners, more frequent check-ins. We can’t afford another security breach.”

Nick nodded. “Good idea. Malcolm, what do you think?”

Larissa tensed as Malcolm spoke. “I agree,” he said. “We should also consider setting up some early warning systems along the borders. Trip wires, motion sensors, that sort of thing.”

“Excellent suggestions, both of you,” Nick said. “I think we have a solid plan moving forward. Unless anyone has anything else to add, I think we can call this meeting adjourned.”

As the pack began to disperse, a hand landed on her arm. She turned to find Malcolm.

“Can we talk?” he asked softly.

For a moment, she wavered, her body yearning to close the distance between them. But then she remembered the looks on her packmates’ faces, the disappointment in Nick’s eyes.

“Not now,” she said, her voice cool and distant. “We have work to do.”

Hurt flashed across his face. But she pushed aside her guilt at causing that pain, turning away before she could change her mind.

She had made her choice.

The pack came first.

Always.

As she walked away, heading toward the small group forming around Nick to discuss the new security measures, Larissa allowed herself one last glance back at Malcolm. He stood alone, backlit by the sun, his expression of longing and resignation making her chest ache.

Never again , she reminded herself once more, turning resolutely forward. She would be the leader the pack needed, the alpha they deserved. And if that meant sacrificing her own happiness, her own desires, then so be it. It was a small price to pay for the safety and security of her family.

She pushed the passionate, impulsive part of her nature back until it receded, replaced by a cool, calculated determination. She would prove herself worthy of the trust placed in her, would show the pack that their faith in her leadership was not misplaced.

And if, in the quiet moments when she was alone, she remembered the warmth of Malcolm’s embrace, the taste of his lips… Well, that was her burden to bear.

Her secret shame, her private weakness.

One that would never again see the light of day.