Page 102 of Wild Games

My wolf stirs, ready to enforce respect, but Kain raises a hand slightly. So, I settle back and watch.

"They were forced out." Kain gives a gentle reminder. "For disagreeing. For being strong enough to pose a threat. For refusing unreasonable demands. That's not leaving, that's survival."

The room goes quiet, remembering.

The old alpha had cast out anyone who challenged him, anyone who might rival his power. Wolves like Wyatt, who were too strong. Families who questioned his methods. Young wolves who showed too much promise.

"We're stronger with them back." Kain continues. "Each returning family brings skills, connections, and strength that we lost. We need them, and they need us. That's what pack means."

A gradual murmur of agreement ripples through the room. Not everyone looks convinced, but it's progress. Three months ago, they wouldn't have even dared voice an opinion.

"Other business." Kain moves on smoothly. "The eastern border patrol reports are good. No incidents this week. The clinic expansion is on schedule, and the youth training program starts next week."

He continues through pack business with the same calm efficiency. When someone raises a concern about food stores for the winter, he addresses it directly. And when a disagreement breaks out about patrol schedules, he mediates without raising his voice.

I watch the pack respond to his leadership style. No threats, no dominance displays, just steady authority.

Some of the older wolves occasionally still flinch when voices raise, expecting punishment for disagreement. But to everyone’s surprise, Kain laughs at a particularly witty barb, and the younger ones start to relax, trusting that disagreement doesn't mean exile.

My job is different. When a wolf in the corner starts getting aggressive about territory disputes, I push off the wall. Don't need to move closer, just let my presence be felt. When the wolf catches sight of me, sees my eyes flash gold, they settle immediately.

Kain and I have found our rhythm. He provides the steady leadership, and I provide the enforcement when needed. Good alpha, bad beta, though it rarely comes to that anymore. My reputation as wild and unpredictable has finally come in useful.

The meeting winds down with logistics and announcements. Pack members file out in small groups, chatting more freely than they used to. The returning families are surrounded by old friends, tentative reunions happening throughout the room.

"Beta Jax?"

I turn to find a woman I don't recognize, though something about her scent is familiar. Pack, but maybe a relation of someone I do know well.

"I'm Helen Reed," she says. "I just returned last week. My sister told me to come, but..." Her voice breaks. "My daughter is still missing."

Kain appears at my shoulder, drawn by the distress in her voice. “Tell us."

"Willow. She's twenty-three now. The old alpha... he wanted her for himself." Helen's hands clench. "She refused, so he cast her out two years ago. I couldn't stop him, couldn't..." She takes a shaky breath. "I've been searching since I left, but rogues are hard to track. She refused to stay with me in case he found out I was hiding her."

I grit my teeth.

We’ve heard too many stories like this.

"You know she went rogue?" I ask. “Not to another pack?”

"Where else could she have gone? She had no connections outside the pack, no money. Just what she could carry." Tears track down Helen’s face. "I'm terrified she's still out there, alone, and not knowing everything's changed here. Not knowing it's safe to come home."

I exchange a look with Kain.

Two years as a rogue is hard for any wolf, but for a young female, alone? She might not be safe to bring back if her wolf has been badly affected. But this is what Kain is good at, so I already know we’ll try.

"We’ll do everything we can to bring Willow home," I say. "Wyatt still maintains contacts from his time outside pack structure. I’ll put in a call and see what he can find out. And Camille can check with Zane if they’ve had any contact with a she-wolf fitting her description."

Hope flares in Helen's eyes. "You'd do that? Contact them?"

"I'll call tonight." I promise. "Send me a photo and any information about where she could have gone. Extended family. Friends that mated in other packs."

"Thank you." She grips my hand tightly. "Thank you, both."

After she leaves, Kain turns to me. "Two years is a long time."

"Jamie survived far longer. It's possible." I choose to think positively. “Maybe, she got into another pack.”