Chapter 454

Nathan

My fingers fumbled clumsily with the navy blue silk tie for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. For the past half hour or so, I had been painstakingly struggling to flatten the creases perfectly, all to no avail.

Groaning in frustration, I raked a hand through my already disheveled hair. I knew obsessing over minor outfit details like this was ridiculous when monumentally larger worries loomed, such as my first meeting with the Alpha association, which would be in just a couple of short hours.

Still—impressions mattered, especially when my entire pack status rested on this probationary period. I needed to prove that I was worthy of being on the association, and I couldn’t spare any details.

Suddenly, the door creaked open and I turned to see Olivia slip inside. She was dressed plainly for a comfortable day at home with the twins, but she was still glowing from our tropical honeymoon.

With her belly growing bigger by the day, she looked even more beautiful. In fact, she looked as radiant as ever despite the subtle shadows of concern lurking in her hazel eyes as met mine.

“Still wrestling with that poor defenseless tie, I see,” she teased gently, crossing the room to stand in front of me. “Here, let me do it.”

I nodded, dropping my hands to my sides to let her handle it. She had always been better with this sort of thing. Sometimes, my fingers felt thick and clumsy, not at all like her delicate touch.

Her deft fingers gently smoothed out the length of fabric, her hands trailing down to rest over my racing heart. I focused on steadying its frantic rhythm as she worked, using her warm and soft touch as an anchor to reality.

“You’re going to be amazing today,” Olivia murmured gently as she worked at refastening my haphazard tie. “Just be your usual charming, passionate self. The other Alphas must be idiots if they can’t see your leadership potential.”

I scoffed quietly, the sound sharp even to my own ears. “Wouldn’t be the first time I was underestimated over age and inexperience. And Dan seems determined to remain impartial…”

I frowned as I thought about Dan, the self-imposed leader of the association. Truthfully, there wasn’t supposed to be a ‘leader’; it was a panel of Alphas, all equal in status. But, nature always prevails.

Dan was the strongest, the oldest, and the most outspoken—perhaps even the wealthiest, too, being the Alpha of one of the largest and most prominent packs in our region. Of course he would rise to the top.

As if sensing my spiraling thoughts, Olivia gently framed my face in her soft hands, redirecting my gaze to her beautiful face.

“Hey, listen to me,” she said. “You deserve this chance to prove yourself to all of them. Just remember that, and don’t forget to let your confidence show—just as you did that night at the auction.”

She grinned teasingly then, her hazel eyes sparkling. “Besides, maybe don’t lead with mentioning you got spiked by a sea urchin on the reefs as an icebreaker conversation…”

A surprised bark of laughter escaped me as images from our honeymoon flashed through my mind. And just like that, the tight coil of anxiety in my chest loosened just a little, warmth rushing back into my veins.

No one could instill hope in me the way my beloved Luna could, with nothing more than her smile and her quick wit.

Regardless of what political maneuvers awaited, with Olivia I could conquer anything. I just prayed the council would also see me as the capable leader I was longing to become.

…

Approaching the heavy oaken doors of the meeting hall, I fished the new stainless steel pen Olivia had given me from my suit pocket. I ran my finger along the stylized ‘N’ that was engraved into the surface, a reminder of who I was.

My hand had just grasped the ornate handle when the door abruptly swung inward.

I stumbled slightly, startled to come face to face with Dan’s critical glare. His lip curled upwards ever so slightly, seeming to assess my undoubtedly flustered appearance.

“Ah, Nathan. You’re...early.”

He didn’t sound particularly approving. I cleared my throat, willing authority into my tone. “I wanted to be prompt and prepared for my first official meeting.”

Dan merely arched one silver eyebrow, but stepped aside in silent command for me to enter.

My shoes echoed sharply across the marble floors toward the large circular table. I noticed a dozen ornate high-backed chairs spaced evenly around its circumference. Which seat to take...

I had just pulled out the one directly across from the door when Dan almost seemed to materialize behind me.

“Not that one,” he snapped brusquely. I jerked back as though burned.

“Apologies. I didn’t realize there were assigned seats…”

His eyes narrowed, glittering dangerously under heavy brows. “Indeed. As the most novice member, your place is there.”

He indicated the seat at the farthest left, furthest from the head chair I had prematurely claimed. With my face burning, I shuffled quickly into my rightful place without a word.

To Dan’s credit, his stern expression softened marginally upon seeing my obvious contrition. He claimed the head seat with practiced grace. “You have much yet to learn about pack hierarchies and politics, youngling. But the passion in your spirit shows promise still.”

I met his piercing gray eyes, seeing a spark of begrudging respect amidst their icy depths.

“Thank you again for this probationary opportunity,” I said. “I intend to prove myself and my pack’s merit.”

Dan simply dipped his chin. “See that you do.”

Soon the other Alphas filed into the room, grumbling their surprise to see me already here and situated. There were eleven of them, including Dan. I made twelve.

Throughout the meeting, I focused on sitting straight-backed and silent, committing every detail to memory from where they arranged their things to how they addressed each motion put forth. I took meticulous notes by hand, determined to absorb everything possible.

The hours flew by in a blur of rules of order, charter amendments, and community project proposals. Dizzy with information overload, I barely registered it when Dan’s gavel finally tapped, signaling that the session was closed.

“Well, we appear to have lost young Nathan here halfway through,” one gray-haired Alpha jabbed at me with a chuckle. “No matter. You’ll get the rhythm of things soon enough, son.”

Heat flooded my cheeks but I smiled politely, gathering my belongings. I decided then and there that engaging them now while nerves still rattled my brain would only lead to further embarrassing myself.

I had nearly reached the arched stone corridor outside the room when a strong hand gripped my shoulder. I turned, stunned to see Dan gazing at me intently.

“You did… adequate work staying focused today without useless commentary,” he praised gruffly. “Keep applying yourself and I foresee your probation ending swiftly and positively.”

I stood a bit taller, clinging to that tentative praise like a buoy at sea. “Thank you, sir,” I said. “I look forward to honing my leadership capabilities further here.”

Dan eyed me a long moment before cracking his first resemblance of a genuine smile. The expression looked foreign across his craggy features.

“Join me for drinks tonight, Nathan,” he said. “That is where the real business deals are made…”