Page 35 of Bound by Flames (Night Prince 3)
It didn’t matter what they thought. I needed answers. I needed to know what I was walking into.
I raised my chin. “I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never been around a pack before.”
“Do you know how they’re run?” Bishop asked, his voice soothing and even.
I shook my head. “Pack structure wasn’t taught in the boarding house, and we were . . . expected to learn from our mates.”
Another span of silence fell over the car, this one more punctuated than the last. Though they did not look at each other, I swore they were speaking somehow.
Bishop nodded, and Alaric’s warm fingers curled around my own. “All right then, we’ll make the most of this ride, and anything we don’t get to, we’ll discuss at home.”
My heart fluttered at the mention of home.
“Okay.”
“We’ll start with the basics,” Alaric said. “Every pack is led by an Alpha—”
“Wynn,” Bishop interjected.
“They are the leaders. The tip of the hierarchy, the strongest and most dominant wolf. They are also the ones responsible for the pack. They guide and protect the pack. The second highest position is that of the Beta—”
“Yours truly.” Bishop grinned.
Alaric rolled his eyes but continued. “They are directly responsible for carrying out the Alpha’s orders and maintaining the common issues that occur in day-to-day pack and politicallife. He’s also responsible for delivering punishment to those who are placing unnecessary risk on the pack. After is the Gamma, which is typically the head Enforcer also called the Captain, thought it doesn’t have to be. In our case it is,” Alaric stated, giving me a little wink.
Something in my chest thumped. On some level, I registered who they were when the dignitaries greeted them, but it wasn’t until this moment that the weight of the role I’d play sank in.
Mated, to the Alpha unit.
“Then there are the Enforcers; they are our trained protectors. They guard our lands, protect our pack during times of tension or war, and ensure that the safety of our pack members is the top priority. After that are our members, all of which have their own trades and jobs. Every member of the pack contributes to it in some way.”
The pride in Alaric’s voice was obvious, and I had to admit I was more curious than ever to see what this pack was like in person.
I smiled at him unsure of what to say. The thought of so many people doing something other than existing side by side was unfathomable.
Wynn’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, steady warmth filtering through my chest. “There’s no need to be nervous, you’ll be with us. Your pack now.”
Oddly enough, I believed him.
***
“Speechless,” Alaric murmured against the shell of my ear.
A shiver ran down my spine as I took in the sprawling territory just beyond the perimeter posts.
“Stop teasing her,” Wynn grumbled from my other side.
Bishop grabbed my lone bag from the trunk as we headed toward the security building. Enforcers stood on either side of the main gate, dressed in black from head to toe. Unlike the Council officials, the Hidden Creek Enforcers were stacked with hard-earned muscle.
“Welcome back, Alpha Wynn,” one Enforcer said, inclining his head. “Beta, Captain,” he greeted Bishop and Alaric.
Right, they weren’t just any unit. They were the three highest-ranking wolves in Hidden Creek—the ones who enforced the rules and protected the pack. And now, I was their mate.
Goddess above.
The second Enforcer greeted them in the same manner. I felt their eyes on my skin, and I prepared myself for sneers and looks of disgust. Instead, I found only open curiosity.
The first Enforcer gave me a charming smile as he ran a hand over his long, sandy hair. “I’m Valor.” He gestured to the darker-skinned Enforcer beside him. “And this is Bowen.”