l

the older members of the pack, a widow named Helen who had always been a bit like a grandmother to her. Since Helen hadn’t been fee

it up. For the last three days, all he’d been talking about was this

You want to marry for stre

ould have preferred for her to meet her “fated mate,” the man selected for her by the Moon G

e packs nearby, and in the end, we’ll have two pack leaders who are both phy

he was not the spring chicken he once was. Ellie finally turned to look at him and noticed how deeply set the crow’s feet

winner was a huge decision, one not to be taken lightly, and Ellie just

“That’s what yo

eminded him. Helen’s cabin was just ahead of them. She hoped

vite all of the single Alphas in the area, all six of them. All of them are strong, fierce leaders. Most o

g her cheeks turn a little pink

ne, you’ll know this is exactly

have the heart to tell her dad no after he went to so much trouble. “Go d

then turned and headed back to the office with a zing in his step that hadn’t been there before. Ellie shook her head a

ere!” the woman call

ying there, propped up on a stack of pillows, a worn tissue in her hand. Her white hair framed her pa

sked, sitting down in

dear? Busy as ever?” She gave a gentle chuckle. She always te

for you. Can I g

e a bit ago, so I’ve got everything I need. It is so ni

nd, what with her leading the entire pack and all. And of course, there was her father’s sche

elen’s face as she turned her head to look at the photo on the nightstand of her as a beautiful bride standing next to a man in a suit who was obviously her husband. Ellie had never met him

omise me.” She tilted her head closer to Ellie as

tried to play it off. “Oh, Helen, you’ll be f

ave both! You can have a wonderful, loving man and still be a good leader for this pack. Just like your parents. Don’t settle, honey. Don’t put your needs on hold. You deserve happiness. You are a good person, a wonderful person, and I know t

always wanted a love like the one her parents shared, like the love between Helen and Howard. She was j

for him. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that her father’s scheme had gone hand in hand with the timing of Helen’s speech. “All rig

time. “Good, good, dear. Now, I know, if I

it wouldn’t be long now. She just hoped Helen would live long enough for her to see that Ellie had b

d win her fath