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She gives me a small smile. “I asked him to.”

“Why?”

“Something Brennan said felt off. I wasn’t sure whether I was misunderstanding him, so I asked Darian to listen. He was trained as a potential Alpha heir. I figured he would know whether what Brennan was teaching you was right.”

Darian nods. “She told me if she was wrong, she wanted me to tell her.”

I look between them. “So you came here pretending to check on your pregnant mate?”

“I was checking on my pregnant mate.”

Arlene laughs. “You were also listening.”

“I can do both.”

My Lycan stirs. He was very convincing. Especially when he forgot about the lesson because the pup kicked. I smile, but something warm settles in my chest.

Arlene had noticed something I missed. She hadn’t accused Brennan without evidence or made me feel foolish for trusting him. She had simply found someone who could help her determine whether something was wrong. She had my back, even when I didn’t know I needed it.

She has been doing that for a while, my Lycan says.

I look at Arlene. She has been beside me through more than office work. When Pine Ridge needed help, she recognized the danger before it happened. When another pack conflict threatened to escalate, she helped me separate what we knew from what everyone assumed. She notices things, asks questions, and speaks when something matters.

And she is doing all of this while pregnant. While still carrying the memories of her first life. I know what it is to be betrayed by someone I loved. I know what it is to die and wake with memories that refuse to leave me. But I cannot imagine being a mother and watching the mate I love and my children die in front of me. Arlene lived through that. She remembers it. And somehow, she still finds room to look after me.

She knows what it feels like when no one comes, my Lycan says quietly.

My throat tightens. Arlene never asked me for a position. She never hinted that I owed her anything for helping Pine Ridge or for watching over me during Brennan’s lessons. She simply saw something wrong and tried to make it right. She helps because someone needs help.

“And she does not make you feel small while she does it.”

No. She doesn't.

I look at her, and the decision settles into place. “Arlene, I want you to be my Beta Female.” Her hands stop over her keyboard. Darian looks up.

“What?”

I smile. “You heard me.”

“Luna Selena…” She shakes her head. “I can't.”

“You can just call me Selena. Why not?”

“Who would follow a former rogue who just came to this pack a few months ago?”

“My Beta Female is whoever I decide she is.”

Arlene looks at me for a moment, then glances down at her belly. “Plus, I'm pregnant.”

“I noticed.” She gives me a look. I smile. “We can have you inducted now and hold the official ceremony after you've delivered and recovered. Just like we did when you all joined the pack.”

Darian nods. “That would give you time.” Arlene looks between us. “You two are making this sound very simple.”

“It's not simple,” I say. “But being pregnant doesn't make you incapable of holding a position. We'll work around what you need.”

She rests a hand over her belly. Then her expression changes. “What about my old pack?”

I lean forward. “What about them?”