“And how can my pack help with that?” I asked, my eyes narrowed.
“I already told you. A marriage contract is the easiest way to secure a lasting alliance.”
My brows lifted as shock rippled through my system. “And who the hell am I supposed to marry off?”
“You have a sister about my grandson’s age, don’t you?” There was no denying the sudden glimmer in his eyes.
“Not happening,” I snapped immediately, ice water flushing through my veins. I would never need anyone enough to use Katy as a bargaining chip. My temples started to throb. This call was pointless.
Kincade’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you might say that.”
“Then why even bring it up?” I ground out.
“I wanted to see if your family meant more to you than a grudge against Norwood.”
I leaned back in the chair. “If all you want to do is play games, I’m not interested. People are dying, and I’m doing my best to minimize the body count. A body count that includes your son.”
It was a low blow, but it landed where it needed to.
Kincade leaned back and exhaled hard. “Perhaps you are right. But I would demand a formal apology from Ms. Markham for reneging on our contract.”
“No,” I answered firmly. “I won’t have someone from my pack apologizing for bonding with their mate ever. The past is the past. Let’s leave it there.”
He studied me for several moments before his shoulders slumped and he visibly backed down.
“Very well,” he agreed reluctantly. “What would you have us do?”
This was the tricky part.
“Norwood has been acquiring packs,” I explained slowly. “They started in New York, but now they’re moving towards the middle of the country. Their pack is bigger than any one of ours.”
“They’ve moved into Louisiana,” he replied tersely. “I was notified late last night. There is only one small pack between us and the border between states.”
“Join us.” Maybe my invitation was a little blunt, but I was done dancing around the subject.
He scrutinized me for a moment before clarity dawned on his face. “You want me to give up my position and become part of your pack? Why would I do this?”
“Because your options are us or Norwood. We’ve already been joined by other packs.”
“Even still,” he sighed loudly, “I’ve seen the reports. Norwood controls the eastern packs this side of the Mississippi and then some. They’re moving into Canada. They’re allied with Long Mesa in the south. You can’t compete with those numbers. You may be on the losing side of a very short war.”
“Maybe,” I allowed, shoving down the fears he was giving voice to. “But I have to try. And if you choose us, I’ll relinquish your pack back to you, or your heir, when this whole thing is settled.”
“Why would you do that?” he asked suspiciously.
“Because I have zero desire to control every pack in North America,” I replied honestly. “I do think changes need to be made in the packs, but that needs to be handled by a new Shifter Council that the packs elect.”
He was silent for a moment. “You know, I only met your father a handful of times at Summit meetings, but you remind me of him. He was an honorable man. Many hold him in high esteem and are hoping for his full recovery.”
I swallowed around the tangle of emotional knots that strangled my throat. “Thank you.”
“Stone Valley will align with you,” he said softly after a beat, lowering his eyes in defeat. His shoulders sagged as he exhaled.
This man had led his pack for almost sixty years. His mate and son were dead. The gravity of his situation wasn’t lost on me. I stayed quiet, letting him come to terms with what was happening.
“I will need a few days,” he added, clearing his throat as he lifted his gaze.
“A few days?” I repeated.
“To set my affairs in order. I would like to select my heir prior to merging so that you know who he is. Travel is a bit trickier now that Norwood and Long Mesa are on either side of me. I’ll need to ensure my pack borders are secure before leaving and coming to you to formally abjure my Alpha status and cede it to you.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” I hadn’t expected him to offer to come here, but it was the formal way to transfer one pack to another outside a challenge.
He nodded. “I do not envy you the fight that is coming,” he said grimly, shaking his head. “I hope you’re prepared for what comes next.”
“If there’s anything we can do to help, let me know.” I almost offered to let him bring his pack here if any members wanted, but stopped myself. James Kincade was a proud man. In a few days he might not be an Alpha, but he would still protect his people.
Which were now my people.
We just might win this war yet.
17
Remy
“Damn.”
It was the only thing I could say as I looked around the busy construction site. Dozens of men and women worked simultaneously on three houses at the opening of the new neighborhood. By the looks of things, these houses would be complete by the end of tomorrow, not next week.
Katy grinned at me. “Pretty cool, right?”
“I can’t believe you did this,” I admitted, taking in the two-story single family homes. The houses were slightly different variations of the same model.
“We did it,” she corrected, waving a hand at Ryder and Larkin. “Ryder got us double the help.”
“Addie had the cafe bring food up for everyone,” Larkin added, pointing to Skye’s mom.
I glanced over at the empty lot where a makeshift tent had been erected. Addie stood in the middle of it, making sure the food and drinks were ready for anyone who wanted them. She smiled at us and gave a small wave before turning back to the staff she had brought and giving them more orders.
“How are we handling the housing situation?” I asked Katy, giving her my attention again.
“Will and Michael have been going over the financials,” she answered. “These three houses were already purchased by people who lived in town but wanted to upgrade. They’ve agreed to let us rent their current houses for new pack members once they move into these houses. The pack has plenty of money to cover the costs of the rentals until a more permanent arrangement can be made.”
“Some people still want to go back to Brooks Ridge after this is over,” Ryder commented, folding his tattooed arms across his chest. The silver of his lip ring glinted in the late afternoon sun. “It’s mostly the older generation who spent their lives on the ridge. It’s where they want to be to finish their lives.”
“I won’t force anyone to stay here,” I told him. “As soon as it’s safe, we’ll help anyone who wants to relocate back to their former pack lands.”
“Dante is planning on talking to Luke’s beta when he arrives later tonight with the last group. They’ll have an idea of what we can contribute financially to the pack to offset costs while we’re here.”
“I’m not worried about that.”
I wasn’t. Michael had already explained the pack’s finances. Thanks to a lot of solid investments coupled with the long history of the pack, our accounts were heavily in the black. We could handle building another five neighborhood developments, including furnishing and providing the essential utilities for several years before the pack felt any kind of financial strain.