“What exactly is the High Table?” I demanded, my voice firm.
“The High Table consists of the most powerful Alphas in our time-the leaders of the five largest packs. They function as our governing body, wielding influence over every Alpha in the country,” Sebastian explained.
Putting the pieces together, I frowned. “When I become the Luna of all three packs, I’ll officially lead the largest pack in the country. They’ll expect me to take a seat at the High Table.”
“You? Never,” Williams scoffed, his expression souring. “No matter your capabilities, they’d never allow a woman to sit at the High Table. They’ll insist on your mates taking that honor.”
“That seat belongs to Sophia,” Ethan interjected firmly, glancing at Kieran who nodded in agreement. They both met my eyes, their emotions stirring a deep feeling in my heart. “She could help safeguard all future white wolves. She could change things.”
“She could indeed. Which also makes her all the more dangerous,” Sebastian added darkly, his gaze turning to me. “Whichever Alpha you displace from the High Table will be livid, and they’ll have their sights set on you.”
“They can try, but we’ll keep her safe,” Kieran snapped. “Our pack members will protect her with their lives.”
“Good. It seems we agree on something for once,” Sebastian retorted. “You have my pack’s full support, but I won’t submit to your authority, boy. If we do this, it must be as equals.”
“Agreed,” Ethan nodded, and Kieran echoed his sentiment. “You have our pack’s support as well.”
Williams nodded thoughtfully. “They won’t come for her directly. They’ll expect her to come to them. You probably have about a week, maybe two, before they call for a meeting. You’ll have no choice but to attend. Refusal would be tantamount to declaring war.”
“Then we wait,” Ethan replied calmly, his eyes softening as they met mine. “We’ll be prepared when they summon us.”
“I want to train,” I blurted out, my voice trembling with fear. This was spiraling beyond what I had ever imagined. I had accepted Ethan and Kieran, accepted what I was capable of, but this-this was overwhelming. First, grappling with my non-human nature, then understanding my role as a coveted white wolf, and now, facing scrutiny from the most powerful Alphas in the country.
“What you’ve been through today…” Ethan began gently, but surprisingly, Sebastian cut him off.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Sebastian replied, giving Ethan a pointed look. “White wolf or not, I won’t have my daughter defenseless.”
“Kieran and I can’t train her,” Ethan frowned, and I winced at the pain that flashed across his face. They both looked at me solemnly. “We wouldn’t be able to hurt you, doll. Someone else will need to train you.”
“I have just the person in mind,” Sebastian said with a nod to himself.
I seized the moment of silence to speak up. “While we wait, we should understand what I can do. The better we grasp my abilities, the more effectively I can wield them. If I learn to control my powers, there won’t be a werewolf alive immune to them.”
“There’s very little documentation on white wolves, sweetheart,” Kieran murmured. “Ethan and I searched extensively and found almost nothing.”
“Perhaps you weren’t looking in the right places,” Williams mused, his eyes lighting up. “I might be able to help with that.”
“Alright, then it’s settled,” Kieran declared firmly. “Ethan, Sebastian, and I will gather our packs. We’ll review our protection measures to prevent another attack like this. Williams, dig up as much information as you can on Sophia’s abilities. Sebastian, arrange for your trainer to meet us at the gym in town.”
“We won’t let Sophia train alone,” Ethan added, his dark eyes simmering with suppressed anger. “Kat will accompany her to every training session from now on.”
“What about the attack? Who’s investigating why it happened?” I asked, concerned.
“It was a rogue attack, doll. These things happen unfortunately,” Ethan frowned.
“Are you sure? It seemed unusually coordinated for a rogue attack,” I pressed. “I don’t mean to exaggerate, but when you’ve told me about rogue attacks before, they were much smaller in scale.”
“Sophia may have a point,” Ethan and Kieran’s father chimed in. “I’ll look into the rogue attack. With my experience, I won’t overlook anything. If there’s more to it, I’ll find out.”
“Alright, then we’re settled,” Ethan nodded. “We’ll start everything tomorrow. For now, my brother and I need some time with our mate.”
The house cleared out quickly afterward, but the tension in the air lingered thickly. My secret was out, and now the most formidable men in the country had their sights set on me.
Once we were alone, Ethan and Kieran enveloped me in their strong arms. They held me tightly, and I didn’t mind one bit. I allowed their scents to comfort me, a brief respite from the day’s turmoil.
But the moment they pulled away, reality crashed back in.
“How bad was it?” I asked quietly, my voice barely audible.
“Don’t dwell on that right now, doll,” Ethan murmured, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. “We don’t want to focus on death.”
“Let us cherish you,” Kieran spoke softly, his rough voice unusually gentle. “When I saw you out there-I couldn’t reach you. We didn’t know what would happen.”
Their lips replaced words with tender kisses, and I savored every lingering touch. I let their warmth wash away the specter of death that hung over us. I wasn’t sure how long we remained in each other’s arms, still smeared with the grime and blood of battle. None of it mattered; they were safe and alive. Ethan’s wound had vanished, leaving only a jagged pink scar on his leg.
After what felt like an eternity in the shower together, the steaming water eventually ran cold. We emerged cleansed of the blood and grime that had stained my body, feeling renewed. I wasn’t at full strength, but with Ethan and Kieran by my side, I knew I would recover swiftly.
While Ethan held me close, whispering sweet words in my ear, Kieran brought me food. With a full stomach and a light heart, I nestled between my incredible mates under a thick comforter. My eyelids grew heavy, and I struggled to keep them open. I wanted to prolong this moment, to stretch it out as long as possible.
“We were beside ourselves with worry, Sophia,” Ethan whispered. “Promise us you won’t put yourself in that kind of danger again.”
“You can’t ask that of me-you can’t,” I shook my head, meeting their gazes squarely. “Tell me you wouldn’t do the same for me. Tell me you wouldn’t drop everything and come running if you thought I was in danger.”
Neither of them spoke, their silence affirming my understanding.
“I know,” I murmured against Kieran’s chest. When I spoke again, my voice had changed. Gone was the frightened, shell-shocked girl. I had only met two Lunas before-Sebastian’s wife and the twins’ mother. If I had to guess, this was the voice of a Luna: strong, proud, and fiercely protective of her mates.
“From now on, I’ll be prepared. I’ll train relentlessly, and if something like this happens again-nothing, no werewolf, will keep me from your side. I’ll face them all, and I’ll win.”