I realise then just how much my mates respect me. Sitting across from the other Alphas makes it painfully clear that my initial worries about what being a ‘mate’ might mean weren’t wrong. To most of these men, a bond seems less like a partnership and more like ownership. Their glances linger too long, assessing me, weighing my worth in terms of my ability to continue strong bloodlines, as though my value only lies in how many heirs I can give.
It hits me hard how different my reality is. My mates don’t treat my body like an incubator for the next generation. They have never pushed or implied that they expect children. To them, I’m not here to fulfill a duty. I’m a choice, their choice, and they trust me to decide what comes next. I can’t help but love them even more for that.
Looking around this room, I can’t help but think that if fate had paired me with any of the men. at this table, I’d already be barefoot and pregnant, probably expected to be cooking and cleaning all day.
The tension in the room shifts. It’s still tight, but no longer feels directed at me. I might even. sense a small amount of respect from some of the men.
Ryder doesn’t smile, but the pride radiating through the bond is unmistakable. He looks at Josh and Marcus, his tone calm but final. “Our Luna isn’t a weakness. She’s a strength. You can question her resilience, her nature, her right to sit here, but you’ll find the answer the same every time.”
“And what’s that?” Marcus asks quietly.
Ryder meets his gaze. “That she’s ours, and she’s earned every part of her place beside us. So let’s stop wasting time doubting what’s already proven and get to business.”
The others reluctantly agree, and as they relax back into their seats, I exhale slowly and sit a little taller, smoothing my hands over my thighs.
**Paige’s POV **
Josh clears his throat and gestures towards Ryder. “Please tell us about the recent attacks on your pack.”
I feel some of the tension bleed from my mates, and Callen’s foot brushes against mine under the table.
“The first attack was on the border of our territory. Callen was returning from his sports session at the local school. He was alone when a group ambushed him. Someone shot him with wolfsbane from a distance. They captured him and beat him for information, which he did not give. We managed to get to him in time and neutralise them quickly.”
That causes a quiet hum of hushed conversation between the enforcers, and Josh raises his brows, while Marcus leans forward to rest his elbows on the table.
“That’s impressive,” Marcus says. “Not only that you survived an attack, but that you were able to refrain from giving out information whilst under the effects of wolfsbane and being beaten.”
Ryder continues, detailing the second attack. “The next was more organised. They targeted us during the night. A few of our enforcers got injured before we chased them off. Then, a few days ago, they hit again. This time was a test. They were testing how close they could get before we reacted, how many we had, how long it took us to get reinforcements.”
His gaze flicks briefly to me, and I feel the weight of those memories between us. The night Jaxon had left the house without me noticing, and the night Leo had been shot. Guilt still eats at me over all three attacks.
“They’re getting bolder,” Ryder says. “Better armed, better informed. Which means they’re learning from every failed attempt.”
Marcus frowns. “Do you think they’ve got someone feeding them information?”
Ryder nods once. “Possibly. We’ve been investigating internally, but whoever’s helping them knows how to hide.”
A low murmur runs through the room, unease touching even the toughest expressions. Josh exhales slowly, then fixes Ryder with a sharp look. “You’ve tightened security?” “Tripled it,” Callen answers before Ryder can. “Border patrols are tripled, enforcers work shifts around the clock. We’ve added motion sensors and infrared alarms at every perimeter entrance.”
Remy crosses his arms, his tone clipped. “And anyone entering or leaving the territory is accounted for. No exceptions.”
Josh tilts his head, studying us all with that calculating Alpha look. “Sounds like you’ve got things under control. So tell me, what benefit is it to us to get involved in your fight?”
The silence that follows is heavy. I don’t think the question is meant to be cruel, but more out of caution. These men didn’t become alphas by fighting battles that didn’t serve their packs.
Ryder doesn’t flinch. “Because if they succeed in taking down the Phoenix Moon Pack, they’ll come for yours next. We’re growing into one of the largest in this region, their biggest obstacle, and one they’ll learn from. If we fall, the rest of you become easier prey.”
Josh’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t interrupt.
Ryder continues, his voice low. “You’ve seen what hunters can do when they’re organised. The attacks we’ve faced weren’t the random acts of a few idiots, they were bordering on military precision. These aren’t just amateurs anymore. They’re trained, equipped, and coordinated.”
Marcus leans back slowly, tapping his fingers against the table. “You’re suggesting we unite?
“I’m saying it’s time we stopped pretending our packs are isolated units,” Ryder replies. “We share borders and bloodlines. This affects more than just our pack, it affects our entire species.”
A thoughtful silence fills the room. Then, before anyone can argue, I find myself speaking.” He’s right.”
Every head turns toward me again.
I fold my hands on the table, keeping my voice steady. “You’ve all lost people to hunters. Maybe not recently, maybe not as often, but you have. Every pack has. They won’t stop when they get what they want. They’ll stop when there’s nothing left to hunt.”
Josh’s narrows on me. “And what are you suggesting, Luna?”
“That we stop being separate targets,” I answer. “If packs had done this from the start, then the hunters would never have become what they are now. They are evolving, so should we. United, we can share resources, intelligence, and manpower. You don’t need to take orders from Ryder and Callen, but if we communicate and coordinate, we can stop reacting and start protecting our people before the next strike.”
One of Josh’s Betas, Caleb, I think, nods slightly.
125 Pos
Marcus studies me, his expression unreadable. “You speak like someone who’s already lost something to them. Why did they take from you, human?”
I meet his gaze without hesitation. “I have. They infiltrated my life and tried to turn my son against his own kind.” The words come out quieter than I intend. The silence that follows is thick with understanding. “And I’ll be damned if I let them get near him or anyone else’s child again.”
The room goes still, and then, slowly, Josh exhales, leaning back in his chair. “She’s got fire,” he mutters.
Ryder’s lips twitch, pride flickering through the bond.
Marcus looks at his beta, exchanging a long glance before nodding once. “If you’re willing to share intel, we’ll contribute a rotation of enforcers. They’re strong, trained and ready. We can send them within the week.”
Josh follows with a slow nod. “Agreed. I can have some here by tomorrow, and we’ll open our borders to provide temporary shelter for any vulnerable pack members, young, injured, or pregnant, should they need it.”
Relief rushes through me so fast it makes my hands tremble. I glance toward my mates, and the look on Ryder’s face, equal parts gratitude and fierce pride, makes my chest ache.
“That’s all we ask,” Ryder says, his tone calm. “We fight together. We survive together.”
Marcus chuckles softly, though there’s no mockery this time. “You’ve got yourself an army, Alpha, and a Luna who can hold her own.”
I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
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