Alpha Baron’s POV
I studied him under the silver-blue wash of moon glow. The anger, the defiance—it was still there, lurking just beneath the surface. But there was something else now too. Focus. Awareness.
“Your mother used to say you had fire,” I muttered. “Always doubted if you’d ever learn to control the burn.”
“She also said I got that fire from you,” he replied.
I didn’t answer. The silence said enough.
We resumed walking, slower this time. My chest was strangely lighter, my mind sharper. Bryan wasn’t ready for leadership—not yet. But perhaps he wasn’t the complete disaster I thought he was.
“You’ll be at the council meeting tomorrow,” I said, not giving him a choice.
He nodded without complaint.
“And I want you to work with Knox. I don’t care if he’s annoying. Learn somethin
