Chapter 266

“None of this.” Toya pulled back. “No tears.” She wiped her own face. “We won’t be stuck on our pack lands. We can visit. And there will be video chats, and movie nights, and…”

“And we will make sure we make time for each other,” Wendly finished. I was still in awe of her transformation through the years. She had become so strong.

“Yes. Yes, we will.” Hanna beamed.

It was my turn to look at her, and I was shot back to the very first time I met her. A tiny little thing terrified in the bathroom. I chuckled as I looked around. “We have come so far these years.” I wiped my eyes. “You all have become so strong. Completely different people. Micca, you have completely flourished into your rank; you have become a very strong beta, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you became a Luna for some pack. Same with you, Toya. You have grown so strong these last few years.”

The two beamed. “It’s all because of you.” Toya bumped into me.

I shook my head. “You guys didn’t have to train. You wanted to, and you put in the work.” I smiled up at them. I turned to Hanna and Wendy. “But it was you two that stood out. We all put in the work, but you two threw yourselves into it. You two have grown the most, and I need you to realize it.” Toya and Micca both nodded. “You two started as unranked,” I began, and my two friends furrowed their brows. “But this last year, your wolves have stepped up. You have stepped up. And now you’re both gammas.” Their hands shot to their mouths, and they looked at each other.

“There is no way,” Hanna’s words were whispered, but I smiled.

“I felt the shift this last month. I wanted to wait until you both settled into your rank before I told you.” I grabbed their hands. “You are gammas, and now you have the skills to perform those duties with my complete confidence.”

“That’s impossible.” Wendy shook her head. “No one in my family has ever been ranked.”

I felt my smile turn sad. “I think that has more to do with the training offered your family than it does the wolves in it.” Toya and Micca nodded. “There is always a rank in a family. At least one, every generation. The goddess does this to give everyone the opportunity to change their fates. An unranked family can learn to be strong.”

Hanna reeled back from me. “What?”

I turned to her. “It’s something that a lot of wolves have forgotten, but even the strongest Beta and Alpha lines started as unranked families. The only ones that have a consistent line of ranked wolves are the firsts. The first Lycans, the first wolves, they have always been ranked. But others, the goddess, will see who is worth it and then give them a blessing and a chance. The families that are smart take the blessing and elevate themselves and their descendants.” I grabbed each of their hands. “Your families probably didn’t know, or they weren’t given the opportunity to flourish. But now you have the chance, and I am making sure you take it.” I hugged them both until I heard someone clear their throat.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I pulled back with a smile. “Brandon.” I walked over. “Thank you for coming.”

He smiled big and leaned in for a hug, but I pulled back. He laughed. “Still won’t let me close.”

He’s lucky I allow him to touch me at all. Megan growled.

Why do you allow him to touch us? I shot back to her. Aren’t you worried about the mate bond?

Megan looked away, but then she turned back. There is no mate bond anymore.

I froze for a minute and then recovered. We will speak about this. Then I turned back to Brandon. “I am nothing if not consistent.” I forced a smile. “Until I meet my mate, I won’t let anyone touch me. You should do the same.”

Brandon looked away. “Here.” He handed me a letter.

“Thank you,” I smiled and took it.

“Read it.” He looked at me expectantly.

I sighed softly as I opened the letter.

Amy,

I know you think I am just chasing after you instead of looking for my mate, but there is a reason for that. I was rejected our first year.

I snapped my head up and looked at him. “Is this the truth?”

His cheeks turned red from embarrassment, and he nodded to the letter. “Read it and then find out, I guess.” I turned back to the piece of paper in my hand.

It was a few months in, in the big cafeteria, one time I came with my dad to see you. Someone rejected me, and I couldn’t blame them. I was so head over heels for you. I didn’t leave much room for my mate.

Anyway, I wrote this to let you know I want you to be my chosen mate. But also my father has offered you a position as a gift. He told me to get you to call him.

But please, think about my offer. I cannot think of a more suitable luna than you.

Love, Brandon