Chapter 8

William's POV

I burst through the packhouse doors, gasping for breath.

The sprint from Benjamin's car had left me winded, but I'd made it—barely. My mother stood in the entrance hall, already dressed in her elegant black coat, a bouquet of fresh flowers cradled in her arms. Her eyebrow arched in that way that always made me feel like a pup again.

"William, you're two minutes late. I was beginning to think you weren't going to accompany me today." Her tone was light, but I knew my mother well enough to detect the hint of disappointment beneath the teasing.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, ignoring her teasing.

For thirteen years, through rain, snow, and even the time I had a raging fever, we'd never missed this weekly ritual. She knew damn well I wouldn't leave her to go alone.

"Come on, Mom," I said, offering her my arm. She slipped her hand through it, giving me an approving smile.

Together, we walked the well-worn path to Scarlett Ward's memorial.

This wasn't the only monument on our territory—we honored all who had given their lives for Silver Moon—but Scarlett's contribution was by far the most impressive.

My mother had commissioned a stunning marble statue of a female angel with magnificent wings, standing protectively over her pack.

The plaque simply read: "Scarlett Ward. Guardian. Protector. Hero."

Each week, we brought different flowers and plants to honor her.

This time, my mother had selected winter jasmine, winter buttercups, and snowdrops—all blooming defiantly against the cold.

As she always did, my mother approached the statue, placing her hand on the angel's clasped ones, and spoke in a hushed, reverent tone. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Scarlett. I promised I would never forget, and William will never forget either."

I busied myself clearing away dead leaves and debris from around the memorial, arranging the fresh plants we'd brought. My mind drifted to the green-eyed girl from school. Could it be?

"Mom, have you ever met Ward's daughter?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Grace? Of course, dear. Haven't you?" When I shook my head, she looked genuinely surprised. "Has no one ever introduced you to her?"

I shook my head again. "No. What's she like?"

My mother continued tending to the flowers as she answered. "She's a lovely girl. Quiet, intelligent." She paused, looking up at the statue with a soft expression. "She looks like her mother, but she has her father's eyes. Scarlett was a strong, beautiful woman." A gentle smile played at her lips, her gaze distant with memory. "She wasn't afraid of anyone, including your father."

I stopped what I was doing and stared at her. "What?" The idea seemed preposterous to me.

Someone who could resist an Alpha's dominance?

My mother chuckled, continuing her work. "I remember one day when your father needed some warriors to accompany him to another pack that was threatening us. He planned to give that pack one last chance, hoping to change their minds about war by displaying our strength. Scarlett was pregnant with Grace then, so your father thought it best she remain behind."

She began laughing harder, holding her stomach as she continued. "She told your father that being pregnant didn't disable her from her Guardian duties, and if he thought to leave her behind when displaying our strength, he was sorely mistaken. He tried using an Alpha command, but it didn't work, so she challenged your father—if he won, she would stay, but if she won, he would let her go."

"So I'm guessing she didn't win?" I asked, unable to imagine anyone besting my father.

My mother laughed even harder. "Didn't win? Scarlett had your father pinned in under fifteen minutes. I'd never seen anything like it. Your father was so strong and confident, he couldn't believe it. Jackson just sat there, proud as could be, watching his wife take down your father with ease. So they went to the other pack, including Scarlett, and showed them that we not only had a powerful Alpha but two Guardians in their prime. The other pack's Alpha backed down immediately."

"After that, your father assigned her to me, and later to both of us as our Guardian." She finished arranging a cluster of snowdrops.

"What happened to that other pack?" I asked, fascinated by this history I'd never heard.

"That Alpha was greedy but not clever, and certainly not as powerful as he imagined. Not long after, he challenged Alpha Richard, thinking the Wildfire pack weak without Guardians. Alpha Richard won, the challenging Alpha was killed, and his pack and territory were absorbed by Wildfire."

I stared at my mother, shocked.

"Wait—Alpha Ethan's father defeated the Alpha who wanted to attack us? Why didn't Dad just fight him himself and take over that pack?"

"Your father didn't want war because I was pregnant with you at the time. He feared something might happen to me or you, or both—a risk he wasn't willing to take. Besides, he didn't need to. Back then, our pack was the largest and strongest in the country. After Wildfire absorbed that challenging pack, they became the largest pack, but we remained the strongest. They paid a heavy price, though. They lost their Luna, Ethan's mother. Ethan was only six then. Richard was never the same after losing his mate. He held on for many years, but when Ethan turned sixteen, he finally let his goddess take him."

She paused, her expression somber. "It's a heavy burden for a young man, going from a six-year-old boy to running the largest pack in the country, but he's handled it well. Your father offered to mentor him, and he accepted. That's why we maintain such a strong alliance with them to this day."

I couldn't imagine shouldering such responsibility at that age. I remembered hearing about his father's death and Ethan becoming Alpha, but I was only ten then and hadn't given it much thought.

As we walked back to the packhouse, I mulled over everything she'd told me. When we returned, my mother asked me to join her in her office.

This wasn't a good sign—it was where I received all my "talks."

We entered her elegant space, and she went straight to the sideboard, pouring me a glass of bourbon. "Sit down, son."

I took a sip, watching her warily. "Have I done something to displease you, Mother?"

She didn't sit. Instead, she stood looking out over the forest behind the packhouse. "I know about the girls, William."

Shit! I thought I'd been discreet. How did she find out?

Before I could respond, she turned to face me.

"Surprised? I am the Luna of this pack. What kind of Luna would I be if I didn't know what was happening under my own roof?"

Her lips quirked into a brief smile that quickly vanished. "Darling, you're about to become Alpha of this pack. Hopefully, on your birthday, you'll find your mate and finally settle down. But as a woman, I can tell you that if you continue cycling females of the pack through your bed, your future relationship will be incredibly difficult."

She moved closer, her expression serious. "Believe me, being a Luna is challenging enough without adding jealous, resentful women as obstacles for your future mate to navigate. If you must continue, at least consider women from outside our pack. That way, your future Luna won't have to see your former lovers daily, or worse, hear stories about your time together."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

This conversation was excruciating. I looked at my mother—this kind, loving woman who was fiercely protective and loyal to our pack. She embodied everything a Luna should be, everything I hoped my mate would be.

"I understand, Mother," I promised. "You're right, as always. I want my mate to be happy here. I certainly don't want our life to begin with any misunderstandings or concerns because of my previous behavior."

She crossed the room and embraced me. "I love you, my child. And I'll add one last thing—while I do want grandchildren, I'd prefer them to come at the right time, not from a casual encounter. Use protection."

"Mom," I replied, my voice thick with discomfort. "You didn't raise a fool. And I'd remind you that I'm almost an adult. I know how to use condoms, and I do. Every time."

Mia smirked.

"Clearly. I just hope my son brings back more meaningful souvenirs from his girlfriends."

My eyes shot down in horror to see the sheer lingerie peeking out of my pocket.

I hastily stuffed it back in and bolted from the office, my mother's laughter following me down the hallway.