Chapter 289

Hannah

The Alpha Council’s expressions were as inscrutable as ever as they moved through the crowd. Drake was among them, although he kept his face impassive other than the barest wink in my direction. But it did little to ease my worries.

The eldest among them, Alpha George, moved at the forefront of the group. He tilted his chin toward the house as he approached.

“If we could speak privately?” It was framed as a question, but it was really a command.

Noah’s hand found the small of my back, giving me a silent nod. With our spines straight, we led the way through the sea of people, guiding the Council toward the house.

The walk to the study felt endless, and it was all I could do to keep my knees from giving out. This meeting was everything. If we failed to convince the Council, then all of our effort—the plans, the sacrifices, the months of work—would have been for nothing.

Once inside, I asked one of the housekeepers to bring some tea. The Council settled in the study as the housekeeper quickly returned with a kettle and several cups, pouring fragrant chamomile and handing them out.

Alpha George refused a cup, but waited until everyone had taken their tea before speaking.

“Before we give our final decision,” he began, “there are a few matters that still need addressing. A few of our Council have expressed that they have questions for you.”

“Ask away,” Noah said calmly.

One of the younger members of the Council, a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, asked his question first. “First and foremost, what of your pack members? Will they be forced into this merger? Expected to leave their homes and lives behind?”

“No one will be forced to do anything,” Noah replied. “This merger is about unity, not control. Our members have their own lives and choices, and those choices will be respected.”

I nodded in agreement. “With the Council’s permission, we would like both territories to remain intact as they are—just combined. No one is being uprooted. And if any pack member wishes to leave and join another pack, they are free to do so.”

The Council members exchanged glances, and Alpha George made a small note in his leather-bound notebook. Drake, sitting at a chair by the window, silently sipped his tea and watched over the rim of his cup.

A few moments later, the next Alpha began to ask his question. “And as for the business side of things? Surely your two packs have current trade agreements that may conflict during the merger.”

I glanced at Noah, who answered for both of us. “We have already begun scheduling meetings with each pack we currently trade with. We intend to address any concerns personally, ensuring that all existing agreements are honored and adjusted fairly where needed.”

“We understand that this merger impacts more than just our two packs,” I added. “We’re committed to maintaining positive relationships with all our allies, and that includes ensuring that everyone feels secure with the changes that are to come.”

If our answers pleased the Council, they didn’t even show it. Not even Drake showed any emotion on his face, but it was unsurprising—he was expected to remain impartial. We were his friends, but he was also a member of this Council, and so we couldn’t blame him for treating us as he would anyone else in this situation.

The sound of more notes being scribbled filled the room. Finally, Alpha George glanced up from his notes, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “And if your pack members don’t consent to the merger? What then?”

I didn’t hesitate. “We’re planning to hold a vote,” I said. “There will be a town hall meeting where every pack member can voice their concerns. After that, if the majority votes against the merger, then it won’t happen. Simple as that.”

Noah leaned forward, setting aside his cup. “It’s worth noting that we intend to be there at the town hall ourselves to ensure that every concern is addressed directly.”

“And not just once,” I added quickly. “We plan to hold these meetings monthly for the next year, so everyone has ample opportunity to speak their mind and feel heard. At the end of the year, we intend to hold another vote to ensure that our pack members are still on board with the merger.”

The Council members seemed to glance at each other curiously at that. It seemed our mention of a vote was somewhat unexpected, but it was true. Noah and I had discussed it before. Many times.

But then Drake suddenly rose, clearing his throat. “I have a question for you two. A more personal one.”

Noah and I turned to face him, silently willing him to ask anything.

Drake paused, glancing at the others on the Council before continuing. “What about Melody? When she comes of age, will she be required to marry in order to lead the pack?”

The question hit me harder than I thought it would. Drake had phrased it as part of the interview, but I knew it was more personal than that. He cared for Melody—he would have protected her with his life if the need arose.

He was asking about her future now. About her emotional wellbeing. Because he had seen both of her parents suffer with their own for far too long.

“Melody… has many years ahead of her before we even need to think about that,” I began carefully. “We hope to have plenty of open discussions with her over the years, and when the time comes, the choice will be entirely hers.”

Drake seemed to deflate a little at that, and Noah added, “If she wants to rule as sole Alpha of Silvercrest, she can do that. If she wants to marry—man or woman—and name them as her co-Alpha, then that will be her decision.”

“Being a female Alpha is… not easy.” I glanced at the other Alphas, throwing them all meaningful looks. “And if she decides she doesn’t want to rule at all, or if she wants to establish a council to help her lead, that will be her right as well. We won’t force her into a role she doesn’t want, just as we wouldn’t force anyone in our pack.”

“No more arranged marriages,” Noah finished quietly.

At that, Drake snapped his eyes to Noah’s and held his gaze, silent but steady. Something fierce and protective flickered in my friend’s eyes for the briefest of moments before he nodded and sat back down in his chair.

“That was all I had to ask,” Drake murmured.

Finally, Alpha George set hit pen down. He looked at his fellow Council members, a silent conversation passing between them. After what felt like an eternity, he closed his notebook and folded his hands neatly in his lap.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” he said, gesturing to the door, “we’d like the room to discuss our decision.”

Noah and I obliged and made our way to the door. As soon as we stepped into the hallway and the door was shut behind us once again, Noah turned to me and pulled me into his arms. He pressed a kiss to my temple as he tangled his fingers into my hair.

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. “No matter what happens, we’ll figure it out together.”

I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. “Promise?”

“Promise,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

We stood like that, wrapped in each other, as we waited for the final verdict. It felt like hours, although it could only have been a handful of minutes before the study door creaked open again.

Drake stood in the doorway. His face was still impassive, but I could see a flicker of something new in his eyes this time.

Excitement.

“We’re ready for you now.”

With our collective breaths held, we walked back into the study. The Council had arranged themselves in a semicircle, their faces still carefully neutral, giving nothing away.

Alpha George gestured to Drake with one hand. “Alpha Drake, since you are… close with Alpha Hannah and Alpha Noah, perhaps you should share the news.”

Drake nodded and took a step back, clearing his throat as if preparing to read a script. “After careful consideration of everything we have seen today, as well as your answers to our questions, we have reached a decision.”

He paused, and his face slowly, too slowly, split into a grin.

“Silvermoon and Nightcrest are now one pack. Silvercrest… is official.”

The relief hit me like a tidal wave, and before I could stop myself, I let out a cry of joy and threw myself into Noah’s arms.