Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,68

want everyone to act like one pack, then we need to treat them as if the animal they turn into doesn't matter. Lev said they don't have some common bond, and that was basically my final decision. I am trying to make sure that none of our smaller and more vulnerable shifters end up living in a corner, though."

"You have more than just us?" Lev asked.

"We're planning for it," I admitted. "But no, right now it's just the three groups of you."

"Go ahead and tell him," Ashley encouraged.

I nodded. "Wolf's Run was made to be something new. Something better, to deal with the changing world that's made it harder for shifters to go unnoticed. Until Vic stopped in recently, we'd never thought about the other kinds of shifters. I didn't even know about half of this. But, with that said, we do have an advantage. Wolves are stronger because we live in a pack. Why can't we use that to make a type of sanctuary for all of us and stop the segregation and shifter-racism that seems to have made life harder for all of us?"

"Like, a shifter haven?" he asked.

I nodded again. "Yeah, but the caveat is that this is still a pack. It's still a community where we all have to work together to keep our secret. You show tendencies of that by caring for those foxes. Vic lives with other bears. You and he seem to know each other. That makes us think that you can work within our society. And never forget that it is ours. This place is owned by wolves and run by wolves - but we want you to help us make it friendly for everyone. Diversity will only make us stronger, right?"

"Says the woman who grew up human." He chuckled. "I actually like that, though. So, if my boy starts dating your girl, you gonna change your mind?"

"No," I assured him. "You might, though. I'm pretty sure Gabby can handle one tiger. Maybe even two with her betas. I also think that she's the one who's pushed the hardest for this. The next generation, and all that."

Lev bobbed his head in agreement. "I like this idea. Just..." He looked back to Ashley. "Maybe you ladies can help keep the Alpha from losing his temper when we don't immediately jump every time he asks? Tigers don't have that instinct. Bears don't either. We'll try, but we will never be wolves."

"Ian's not like most Alphas," Ashley assured him. "He thinks there's a very big difference between leading and terrorizing." Then she held up a finger. "Also, I wanted to talk to you about Sheridan. She still needs a job, right?"

"She does," he agreed. "She hasn't done much, though. The girl has basically worked at minimum wage jobs all her life, just trying to make ends meet."

"This is an entry level position," Ashley said as she headed around my desk and pulled out an employment application. "It's night shift work, though, but we need a gate guard."

"Like..." Lev pointed back at the front gate.

Ashley nodded. "Yep. Seven pm to seven am, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Full time, salaried, and it would give her time to go to college or worry about her sisters during the day. She can study in the booth, we have wifi there, and no one even cares if she naps, so long as she wakes for cars or people trying to get in."

His brows went up. "That's pretty nice for a girl her age. You think the wolves will mind?"

"I think," I said, breaking in, "that the wolves will get used to it. Both Ian and I are giving all of you our protection. Just don't make us regret it." But I couldn't stop smiling as I tried to make that sound something like a threat.

Lev just chuckled at me. "You're too nice to be an Alpha, but I'm not complaining. I'm pretty sure Sheri will jump on the job. I'd rather the others made it through school, though. Ridley's a smart one. She'll get into college if she can get the funds for it. Zaria's going to be the same. Hell, Sheri too, but she had to step up too young, you know? I just..." He looked down at me. "They aren't my kids, but they might as well be. You wolves get that, right?"

"We do," I assured him. "I'm also waiving rent for Sheridan if she takes the job. House is a perk of the job."

"But," Ashley added, "she'll