The Alpha's Hollow Vow

Twelve years ago Sarai Vance was rejected by the Vale Hollow Alpha in a speech his mother wrote, and she signed the exit ledger without a word. Now she is a rural land mediator in the next county, and Vale Hollow is dying — mismanaged lands, empty dens, and a regional council order forcing the pack into mediation with its own defectors. The mediator assigned to the case is Sarai. Dorian Kade, still Alpha, meets her at the gate. Ninety days of hearings, land surveys, caucuses, and one silent night walk through the dying orchard. Sarai brokered a sale of the southern range, secured housing for the wolves her own pack cast out, and closed the case on schedule. At the close, Dorian offers her the bond and the Luna seat. Sarai refuses both in writing. Then she hands him a personal agreement: four years, with counsel, at her pace. He signs.