do all the things I take for granted. What I don't want is for you to do it because I want you to - or anyone else. I don't care if that's Gabby or Ian, or even the other guys. I want you to figure out your own limits, stand your ground when you have to, and know that I will always support your decisions. I am your mate. It doesn't matter if you're human or wolf. I'm still going to be yours until the end of time."
"But if I was a wolf I could've helped the kids," she insisted. "You and Ian took out the shooter!"
"First, Ian was a man when that happened. I couldn't throw the gun out of his reach. No thumbs as a wolf."
She grunted. "But you tackled him, you said."
"Could've done that as a man, too. Just figured I'm a little faster as a wolf, and a lot more intimidating."
For a moment she chewed on her lower lip, thinking too hard. "But I had to just stand there and wait," she finally said.
"So did Ashley, Trent, Pax, and Seth," I countered. "They couldn't shift where others could see, and it's not exactly easy to explain away a wild animal running through the building."
"But I could've helped more!"
And that was her problem. It made sense, and I could understand the feeling, but that didn't make it right. "So, you don't think you helped?" I asked instead.
"I stood there, freaking out that my daughter might be dead," she admitted.
"And called all the parents - "
"That was Ashley," she corrected.
I nodded, accepting that. "So, who made sure Samantha could get in touch with her mother? Who organized it so that all the kids had a way home when their parents couldn't make it through the traffic around the school? Who had the idea to send pictures of safe and healthy kids to the parents so the pack could relax? Who, Elena, understood their fears and worked to make sure no one else had to wonder if their child was dead or alive?"
"We all did," she told me.
"Because you pushed them to," I countered. "That's what the Alpha Mate is supposed to do. Ian handles the disputes, the problems, and the issues. You protect the families. You are the one who speaks up for them when they need something. It's why you're such a good match for him. It's why I think you're strong, because you will stare down one of the strongest pack alphas I've ever known without flinching."
"But Ian would never hurt me," she insisted.
"He could," I pointed out. "He could break your heart, shove you around, or so many other ways that men hurt women. He could, but you never worry about that. You are immovable when you have to be. Baby, look at when Gabby turned. You realized that we'd screwed up - and I'm still sorry for that - but you didn't just ignore it. You dumped us because you knew you deserved more. That is strength. Being a wolf?"
"Would let me help all of you more," she said, pulling back so she could look at me. "Lane, don't you get it? I don't want to be stubborn. I want to be strong."
"And I happen to think you already are." I lifted a brow daring her to deny it. "I also think that you're so used to being put down that you can't accept it when someone happens to think you're already amazing. You, my little bunny, are strong. Being a wolf won't change that. If you're a weak person, then you simply become a weak wolf. If you're a strong one, then you get to be a strong wolf. Your values shift, but it's not a cure for everything."
"Ok," she said, nodding her head to make it clear she'd heard me. "But what about the next time something happens? Lane, I can always be a person, even if I'm a wolf. Just like Ian was today. But I can't be a wolf unless I do this."
"I know," I said.
"But what if I need to be a wolf? If I'm a wolf, then I'm a permanent part of this pack. I'll never be able to get kicked out."
"Not quite true. Remember Karen?" I wrapped my hand around hers. "But I don't think you'd be kicked out, so I'll agree to that point."
She pressed her other hand over the back of mine. "Will you turn me?"
"Thought you were already trying," I said. "No more condoms,