Grass crunched in the outer range of my hearing, and I snapped my head in that direction. I clenched my fists, but relaxed them.
“It’s Pepper.”
“It’s getting dark. I’m going to get dinner before it’s too late. Thank you.” He smiled at me, and my gut twisted. My mouth wouldn’t open, so I nodded.
I paced around the clearing and pounded my fist against my head. Why would I lie to him like that? Sure, what I said was true. The pack ‘might’ do better if they left. But they’re more likely to do better if they stay!
I know that. A pack who grows together and fixes their problems is more likely to thrive. Why did I lie?
The deep-seated fear in my gut told me everything I needed to know.
“Where’s Mitch?” Pepper approached me and scrunched up her face. “What’s wrong?”
“He won’t be Alpha.” I p
