Chapter 22: The Boon

Eira's POV

The Compact Feast on the last night was held in the Bowl itself, with nine long tables across the turf and a roasted elk on every one.

I sat at the bottom of the Ashfall table in the black lace gown, and for once nobody stared at my back.

They stared at my face.

"You look like a woman about to ask for a kingdom," Bram said, filling my cup.

"I'm asking for one small pack."

"With a stolen elk to boot."

"Eat your elk."

Odessa sat on my other side, gripping her stick in both fists.

Ronan sat at the Blackpine table with the signet on his hand and his shoulders held very straight.

He had not looked at me since I came in.

I knew exactly how many times he had wanted to.

The Warden rose at the head table and struck her key on the wood.

"The champion of the Blood Moon Games," she said. "Eira of Ashfall. Name your Boon."

I stood up.

The wine glasses stopped halfway to mouths.

"I ask one thing of the nine Alphas," I said.

"Seat Ashfall as the tenth pack of the Compact, with the high country from the northern marker to the Pale River for its land."

A murmur ran down the tables.

"Ashfall has five wolves," the Alpha of Stonewater said. "A pack needs an Alpha."

"It has one."

"Where?"

I looked at Odessa.

She shook her head, hard.

"I'm too old," she said. "I told you in the cave. I'm too old, and I'm too stubborn, and the pack should be young."

"Then I'll take it," I said.

I said it plainly, to the whole table.

"I'm Eira Wexley, of the Hollow line. I'll be Ashfall's Alpha, and I'll answer for every wolf who lives there."

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