Chapter 222

Alaric’s POV

I was ready to start throwing hands a minute ago, but now, seeing how quickly and resolutely the BloodyMoon pack came to Cara’s defense, I allowed myself to calm down, at least enough to sit back down and contain myself.

My fury at those that had spoken against Cara remained, however, and simmered just under the surface of my skin, making me want to shift and fight half of this room.

“Your pack truly loves Cara,” I said to Eamon, feeling a sense of pride for her, and for the pack that adored her so. “You’ve done well, leading such a compassionate pack.”

“I’ve done nothing,” Eamon said. “Cara has cultivated this loyalty all on her own by being the wonderful person that she is.” Eamon paused a moment, before looking at me.

By now the spectacle on the stage was mostly over. The contestants had to continue standing on the stage while the commission arrived to introduce themselves and pat themselves on the back.

Sensing Eamon had something he wanted to tell me, I looked back at him and braced myself for whatever was about to come next. Eamon wouldn’t think to share anything with me, especially right now, if it wasn’t of the upmost importance.

“You should know that I am planning to push for Cara to replace me as Alpha,” Eamon said.

I froze in my seat, even as my heart started to race. Questions filled my mind. How would that work? What about her illness? Did she even want the job?

“Between us, I have mixed feelings,” Eamon continued. “I know she might struggle, but I trust her judgement. And the people of the pack love her, as you said. Her health is a concern, but I want to bank on her and her confidence to get well.”

“Have you told her any of this?” I asked.

“Not explicitly,” he said. “But I’ve hinted enough that I’m sure she’s guessed my plans. She hasn’t spoken out against them.”

The words sat between us for a while, as I tried to process them and what they meant.

Of course, I was pleased and proud of Cara for being able to earn such an honor for herself. She had excelled as a Beta, had proven herself more than capable time and time again. I had no reason to doubt that she wouldn’t continue to do so as an Alpha.

In fact, she’d probably make an even better Alpha than me.

I wanted to support Cara in any and every way. If being Alpha was something she was striving for, then she would always be able to rely on me.

But if she were to accept that position, that would mean that…

Cara would be Alpha of BloodyMoon, and I would be Alpha of DuskWood. How would a relationship possibly work?

As if he could read my mind – or perhaps see the emotions on my face – Eamon spoke up, “I know this makes a relationship between the two of you more difficult. A female Alpha would be rare enough, but for one to be in a relationship with another pack’s Alpha? I’m not blind to the complications you would face.”

I swallowed hard, then admitted, “I had hoped Cara and the children would one day return with me to DuskWood.”

Though now that I said the words aloud, I had my doubts that Cara would actually see that through. Even when we reaffirmed our connection fairly recently, she had talked about distance being one of the hardships we would have to face and overcome.

If she was Alpha of BloodyMoon, it wouldn’t just be distance though. Our schedules would fully and thoroughly clash. Even as a couple, it would be expected of us to put our individual packs over each other.

And then there was the matter of our children… Where would they live? Which pack would they claim as their own?

The most obvious choice was BloodyMoon, as this was where they were being raised and had spent most of their lives so far. But that left a question I was sure to face back home.

Who would be my heir?

“In the end, the choice will come to her,” Eamon said.

“I wouldn’t ask her to make that choice,” I said.

Eamon nodded. “Then the two of you will have to face these hardships together.”

Eamon’s words stuck with me even after the ceremony was over. Were Cara and I strong enough to face an issue like this? I wanted to think so, but I just didn’t know.

For now, it seemed premature to worry too much over it. When and if Cara told me that being Alpha was something she wanted, then we could discuss it. At this moment, there were other pressing matters to consider.

Like the events. Especially the upcoming cooking showcase, where her competitors, including Lilia, would have knives.

With fresh worry of a different kind filling me, I sneaked backstage to check in on Cara. One of her bear friends led me to her dressing room. Hoping to surprise her, I opened the door without knocking and went inside.

Then, I froze, my eyes going wide, my heart jumping into my throat.

Cara was in the middle of undressing. The top of her gown was down to her waist, showing the strapless bra that somehow seemed to cup only the underside of her breasts. I tried not to stare, but my eyes were drawn to her hot body like they had been sucked into some kind of tractor beam.

“Close the door, Alaric,” she said, and made no motion to hide herself.

“I can come back later,” I said, realizing how much I’d been staring. I tried to look away, but immediately glanced back. The swell of those breasts was abject perfection. She could think what she wanted about her curves and her appearance, but to me, she was the most beautiful woman to ever grace this planet.

“Stay,” she said. “And close the door.”

At once, I closed the door behind me, but then forced myself to turn away from her so she could finish changing without my gawking at her.

“You can look,” she said. “I don’t mind.”

“I’m trying to behave,” I told her. I wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t trying to seduce me, but during our talk, she had emphasized our moving slow. I was desperate to accommodate her, even if her near nakedness was making it exceedingly difficult.

I was a gentleman, damn it. I could survive this.

“You are allowed to look,” I said.

“Too tempting,” I told her.

She hummed a little. I could hear the shifting of fabrics, but I kept my gaze firmly on a chip in the paint on the wall.

“I want you to be comfortable with me,” she said.

“This isn’t a matter of being comfortable,” I explained. “This is an issue of controlling my desire for you.”

“Would it be so bad to lose control?” she asked.

Stay strong, Alaric!

“Yes. You said you wanted to go slowly,” I told her.

She sighed then, and said, “I did.”

She was quiet then, as she presumably continued to get dressed.

Perhaps she had just realized she too was falling prey to her own lust, just as I was.

Honestly, it was something of a comfort knowing that I wasn’t alone with these feelings.

We both wanted each other. With the sparks crackling between us, who knew how long we’d be able to hold out without giving in?