Chapter 39: The Demands of the Pack

“She wants you to set up your side of court as well,” I told Erich as I washed his back while we sat in the bath together.

“My soldiers are my court,” he said bluntly.

I laughed.

“They follow your orders but you know not all shifters grow up to be soldiers,” I commented.

He turned to me and pulled me in his arms.

“We’ve done fine without a court for some time now,” he argued, and I wondered why.

“But, setting up court is a signal to the pack that you will be interested and involved in what goes on here. That you’ll be more of a permanent fixture…”

“The Alpha can never promise such a thing to the pack. My job is to protect them, not play dress up with them.”

“It’s more than dressing up. It’s about building and maintaining a community. Don’t you see how much this pack loves you?”

“Of course they love me,” he said, trying to distract me with kisses.

“Do you love them?” I asked.

“It’s a silly question.”

“Maybe, but do you?”