I let the title settle over them. I had earned
their respect but I knew that in the pack world, nothing was truly earned until you proved you could keep it.
“Is there anyone here who believes they are stronger? Is there anyone who wishes to challenge me for the position of Alpha?” I looked slowly from face to face, my eyes locking onto the older, more hardened wolves, the ones who usually led the defiance.
The silence that followed was suffocating. It was heavier than any shout or challenge could have been.
Nobody stepped forward. Not a single person broke ranks.
I tried to stop the sigh of relief that wanted to escape, but I felt a confusing mix of victory and discomfort. They weren’t bowing in respect; they were frozen in fear. I could practically smell their apprehension.
I final
