“You never wanted it?”
“I never thought I was a wolf. So, I found it useless to even visualise myself as an Alpha. I only saw myself as a disappointment. I never cared about being the Alpha as I was sure it was pointless. But…I can see you do care.”
“No. I mean I do, but it’s not what you think.”
“Well, what is it?”
“It’s hard to tell a stranger that you’ve been lonely your whole life. It wasn’t the hovel I lived in, the filthy clothes I wore. I made the best I could with what I had. But I wanted a family. I wanted someone that praised me for running fast instead of hearing your bastard brother can run faster. I didn’t even know what a nursery rhyme was. My night stories, to put me to sleep, were that Wilson, Alicia and Nick Slade laughed at me and were glad I was where I was. Even now, knowing all that was a lie, I still couldn’t kill the woman that told them to me.”
“No matter what, she is your mother.”
“She’s a cunt but that’s not the point. I just didn’t want her to be right about me. I’m impulsive and brash when I need to be calm. I headed right into Tynan’s trap on the stairs and I didn’t see it. Had it not been for Nightingale, I would’ve died and it wouldn’t matter who out of us deserves to be Alpha or not.”
“I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. I never thought it would happen, so I passed on every single lesson our father wanted to teach me. Good Alpha or not, it would’ve paid to listen to him. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. And I could’ve easily killed that prick earlier. No matter how fair I try to be, I still have the same rage inside that you do. The same fear. The panic. I don’t know if I’ll be a good Alpha, but I do want to work hard and be a good man. Start with that, and go from there.”
“I like that…” Talia said, swinging her feet under the seat. “So…what do we do?”
“Let me ask you something. If you become Alpha, will that make you happy?”
Talia looked up to the ceiling of the room. “No. Because it’s not what I really want.”
“You really want a family.”
Talia shrugged, speaking softly, as if to herself, swallowing, “I just wanted somebody to love me.” She smiled and sniffed at the same time. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually say things like that but…anyone tell you you’re actually very easy to talk to?”
Nick reached out to hold her hand and she let him. “Look, with all due respect, I don’t know you. You don’t know me. It will take some time to fix that. I would’ve loved to have grown up with you, but I can’t change that. What I can do, is be honest with you now. You risked your life to save all of us. You didn’t have to but you did. I may not know you, and I may or may not deserve to be an Alpha, but I don’t think I could love anyone more.”
Talia looked at him and tightened her grip on his hand.
“Thank you,” Nick said.
“You’re welcome.”
*
Later that night, before the feast began, Talia and Nick stood before the congregation of allies from the Rykard family and Tynan’s men that had joined them. The naming of a new Alpha was always a grand occasion. What the house was going to be called, what the first order of business would be, no one knew. But the naming itself was momentous nonetheless.
Alicia stood, calling loudly to both of them, “Have you reached an agreement?”
“We have.”
“Then tell us, who is your choice for Alpha?”
Nick and Talia both stepped forward, towards Alicia. “You’re sharing the title?”
“No,” Nick replied. As a further answer, both Nick and Talia took a knee simultaneously in front of Alicia.
“What are you doing?” Alicia asked.
“You wanted a choice. We made it,” Talia said, not taking her eyes off Alicia. “You wanted us to decide who would make the best Alpha. There is no one better than you.”
Alicia looked behind the two and the soldiers had joined them in kneeling. Several hundred remaining after the fight, all silently swearing fealty to Alicia. Alicia turned then to Nicole, who was standing and holding the baby. “I would, but…” she indicated to the bub and gave a guilty smile.
“Are you sure about this?” Alicia said to Nick. “I’m not a blood Alpha.”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything. Maybe we will share it one day, or we’ll break off into our own families. But what we need now is strength and leadership. Something none of us have had in quite some time. Your blood status is irrelevant. We need you.”
Alicia nodded, letting the moment settle. “Very well. First order of business is someone, right now, is going to tell me what that baby’s name is.”
Nicole gave a laugh and was joined by Nick, who kissed her on the cheek, and they presented the boy to the crowd.
“It is our honour,” Nick said, “to present Deacon Slade, the newest member of our house.” A great cheer rose from the soldiers, welcoming the baby who finally had been given a name. Alicia walked over to the baby and gave him a kiss. “Hello Deacon, my love.”
“There is something I would like to request, my Alpha,” Talia said.
“Go for it.”
“I would like to join your pack.”
“You already have.”
“No, I don’t want any ties to my old life, my past. Whatever you decide to do with this new house, I want to be allowed to join by changing my name…to Talia Slade.”
“Talia, your past and your choices lead to this point. You
