Chapter 345: Chapter 345

Zane I “What should | know about my Alphas?”

| demanded of Greyson at once, my heart pounding. My fingers curled into fists instinctively, but | forced myself to loosen them.

“Oh, hey, friend. No need for alarm. | can see how protective you are of them, and that’s wonderful. Exactly the kind of loyalty we need here at Brightsky. | was only going to tell you that your Alphas are being asked to join our lead council. That’s all, nothing bad.”

Greyson looked entirely distraught. ‘I’m sorry if | gave off the impression that there was something wrong. | should’ve thought more carefully about my words, considering everything you all have been through before you got here. But that’s what they're doing today. The leadership council is going to officially request they join.”

“Does that mean we'll be welcome to stay at Brightsky...forever?” | took a long drink of my beer to cover up my overreaction.

Greyson clearly felt bad, but | just felt dumb.

I “As long as you'd like, at least. | wanted to let you know because | know you were a bit put out that they got invited, and you weren't a part of it. From what | understand, being Beta in a pack would normally give you a bit more input and involvement in how things are run. You'd be at your Alpha’s side, not excluded like that.

It's not quite like that here. Here at Brightsky,though, you could also have the opportunity to move into a full leadership role yourself.”

I | thought about this as | dug into some ribs.

After I'd chewed and swallowed, | said, “You mean be an Alpha? That's impossible. Alphas are born. You don’t just decide to become one.”

“We don’t have Alphas here, no matter how they're born. Which means you definitely don’t have to Beta anyone Greyson paused and gave me a long, serious look. “Although to be honest, Zane, | don’t get the feeling that you’d willingly give up that role, no matter what other position was offered to you.”

“Your feeling is right. | can’t even imagine it,to be honest. It’s what | was born t to do. To be That’s how wolves are | wiped my mouth with a paper napkin and pushed my plate away “But if we stay here, and my Alphas are no longer Alphas...”

Talready told you that | didn’t think your place with them would change Unless you want it to,of course. And here, well, Zane If you want it to, it can You could be or do anything else you wanted to be?

Did | want such a thing? t shook my head it feels disloyal even to talk about this.”

“You'll have to forgive me Charlotte’s always telling me that | need to be better with my interpersonal skills. | lived alone for so long) sometimes forget what it’s like to navigate a new relationship” Greyson shrugged “Im sorry if | made you uncomfortable”

1/2 My words tasted a little bit like a lie, even though | thought | was telling the truth. “You’re not in at leadership role, are you?”

“Me? Go ds, no. | don’t have any interest in that. Being a leader requires a lot of teamwork, and, like | said, | dragons are generally solitary folk. My loyalty and attention is to my mate. | don’t really want to be in charge of anyone or anything else.”

Disloyal or no, Greyson’s words had stirred something up inside of me. Something | didn’t really want to admit to. Didn’t want to feel. | finished my beer. ‘But you think | might?”

“You know, sometimes just because we feel like we were born to be something, that doesn’t mean we have to stay in that place for our entire lives. But | understand why you wouldn’t want things to change. | understand how it feels to gain great personal satisfaction from giving someone else comfort, or pleasure, or somehow relieving them of a burden they might not even now they were carrying.”

| nodded. “That is what it’s like. As Xander’s Beta, and now Mason’s, I’m prepared to go to war with and for them, if | have to.

Fight next to them. Give my life for them.”

“And what about when you're not in a war?”

“| want to make their lives easier,” | said without hesitation. “Share everything with them. Run interference if needed. Stand at their sides, but also watch their backs.”

it ou want to serve them.”

“You “Yes,” | said. “If that’s the way you want to put it.

“| think that you could be a great leader, if given the chance,” Greyson said. “All I’m saying is..... think about.

F uck.

Now | couldn't stop thinking about anything else.