Levi's POV
The council hall was full.
Elders sat in their seats. Warriors stood along the walls. The room felt heavy and serious.
Louis sat on my right.
Lennox sat at the center.
For the first time since Lennox returned, the three of us were seated together on the high chairs meant for leaders.
It felt strange.
Quiet.
Then the head elder slowly stood up.
"Alpha Lennox," he said. "Welcome home."
Soft voices filled the room.
"Welcome back."
"We thought you were gone forever."
"The pack missed you."
Lennox stood up.
"I'm here," he said. "And I'm not leaving again."
Something tight in my chest loosened.
The elder nodded. "Your return brings balance back to the pack."
He turned to look at me and Louis.
"To Alpha Levi and Alpha Louis," he said, "we thank you for leading the pack while Alpha Lennox was gone. You protected us. You kept us standing."
My throat tightened.
I didn't feel like I deserved those words.
But the elders bowed their heads anyway.
