My first night as Alpha of Crescent Ridge, I barely slept. The pack house was smaller than Shadowpine’s but comfortable. They’d given me the Alpha’s quarters, a simple room with a large bed and windows overlooking the valley.
Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the weight of all those lives depending on me. Forty-three wolves now looked to me for leadership. For protection. For answers I wasn’t sure I had.
“Can’t sleep either?” Maya’s voice came from the doorway.
“How did you know?”
“Because I know you.” She came in and sat on the edge of my bed. “You’re worried you’ll mess this up.”
“What if I do? What if I’m not ready for this?” The fears poured out. “These wolves need a real Alpha. Someone who knows what they’re doing. Not someone who only trained for six months.”
“They need someo
