Chapter 250

Cara’s POV

Eamon called me into his office first thing one morning. After the competition ended, things had more or less settled down. I returned to working as a Beta. Alaric stayed in the house, continuing to work remotely as Alpha from the office, though he commuted more often now that the danger had passed.

As things returned to normal, I began to settle in too. I had a decent life here now, with Alaric and the kids and my brothers. I had no complaints really, and was looking forward to getting back to work.

So when Eamon called me into his office, I expected things to continue on as normal. Another day, another list of tasks to complete.

Except today, Eamon seemed a bit nervous. His hands were on his desk, his fingers laced together. He looked down at them, not looking me in the eye at all.

“I have something to tell you,” Eamon said. “I think you will receive it well, but… it might not be what you expect.”

“What is it?” I asked. My own nerves were starting to itch. His stretching out this moment was just making things worse.

With a sigh, he looked up, finally meeting my eyes. “The elders have given me permission to share this with you, which makes it official. You only have to accept.”

I waited, unsure what he would need the elders’ permission for when he was the Alpha. The only reason he might need was if he was stepping down and – oh. Oh.

“Cara, I have made all the arrangements, the elders have agreed, and your performance in the princess competition has finalized it. In the next few weeks, I will be stepping down, and you are now in line to take over as the next Alpha of the pack.”

“Eamon…” I was positively speechless. Eamon had hinted at this for some time, but I didn’t know, I guessed I never thought it would actually happen.

“Are you interested, Cara?” Eamon said. “I’m sorry to spring this on you. Please understand that you are allowed to say no.”

“I don’t want to say no,” I said at once. I’d worked so hard as pack Beta, both for DuskWood and for BloodyMoon, I was certain I could be a good Alpha if given the chance. Now I had that chance, and I didn’t want to let it pass me by.

But that said…

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I was suddenly unsure. What about Alaric? How would that even work, if we were both Alphas of separate packs? How could we make this thing work between us like this?

Our relationship right now was perfect, but it felt like a fragile, in-between state. I knew Alaric couldn’t keep working remotely forever. Eventually he would have to return to DuskWood pack. For a while, I’d entertained the idea of following him, even though my heart wasn’t totally in that.

I loved BloodyMoon pack with my full heart and soul. I didn’t have anything against DuskWood anymore, but I felt my home was here. And this was where my children were happiest.

But, at the same time, I didn’t want to lose Alaric.

Eamon watched me, a sense of understanding in his eyes. “Nothing needs to be decided right away,” he said. “Why don’t you take a few days and think about it? Maybe speak with Alaric about the future.”

I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. “Alright,” I said.

It wasn’t like me to be so indecisive, but I had more than myself to consider. If it was me and the kids alone, the answer would be easy. Being Alpha would be a lifelong dream come true, and I was sure I would excel at it. Eamon and the elders must have thought so too.

On the other hand, accepting the position could mean losing Alaric. We had fought so hard to find our way back to each other. Having to separate now because of our careers felt too cruel after everything we’ve sacrificed.

And I wasn’t willing to lose him from my life.

For the rest of the day, I tried to fulfill my Beta duties, but I was so distracted that I’m not sure I actually managed to complete anything. By lunchtime, I couldn’t pretend anymore and requested the rest of the day off. With Eamon’s blessing, I hurried home.

As much as I wanted to speak to Alaric about this, I also dreaded it. What if we couldn’t find a solution? What if the worst should happen and we went our separate ways…

No. No, I couldn’t allow fear to control me. Alaric and I are soulmates, not just through fate but by choice. We might have to be together distantly for a time, but we would never completely split.

Even so, with more weight in my heart than joy, I returned home and made my way to the office where he was working. When I knocked on the open door, and he spotted me from his chair, he immediately hopped to his feet and approached me.

“You are home early. Is everything alright?” he asked, worry in his eyes.

I didn’t know how to tell him, but I knew I couldn’t delay it. He’d just worry more, and it would fracture between us, making everything worse.

I had to tell him now. Rip off the bandage. That way we could heal underneath.

“Eamon and the elders…” I swallowed thickly. “They want me to be Alpha. All I have to do is accept.”

I avoided Alaric’s gaze at first, but when I chanced a look at him, I was surprised to see that he was looking at me steadily, no surprise in his expression. Only pride, and love.

“You knew about this,” I said, realizing.

“Eamon mentioned it as a possibility,” Alaric said. “I’ve had some time to try to make things happen on my end…”

“To do what?” I asked.

He smile at me a little. “To make sure, when the time comes that we would be able to rule together, side by side.”

I blinked, trying to comprehend what he’s saying. He’s already known about Eamon’s push to make me the next Alpha of BloodyMoon. Instead of being angry or worried, Alaric has been working so we can still… be together?

Rule together?

“Alaric…” I didn’t know what to say. I felt overwhelmed, my heart swelling with love and with hope. Oh, this hope was so pure, so honest. I prayed that he wouldn’t let me down, I would fall so far. Yet I knew Alaric was trustworthy now. He was nothing like the man I knew all those years ago.

Now, he was the perfect partner, a provider and a caretaker, who would never abandon me or leave things to chance.

“Tell me, Cara,” Alaric said. “Do you want to be Alpha of BloodyMoon? Be honest.”

If I was being honest, then my answer would have to be, “Yes.”

“Good,” he said. “Then tell me something else.”

He walked back to his desk and took something from one of the desk drawers. I leaned but couldn’t see what he grabbed. Not until he walked back toward me, then dropped to one knee right in front of me.

What he grabbed from the desk drawer was a small velvet box. He lifted it now, and pulled back the top. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring.

“Cara Auburn,” Alaric said. “My love. My mate. The mother of my children. A woman I am proud to know and adore. Would you do me the great honor of also being my wife?”

What answer could I give? There was only one word in my heart, and it was shouting so loud that I nearly did as well.

“Yes!”