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The Black Wind packhouse in Albany was situated on a sprawling acre of land which provided the solitude one needed when grieving one's mate. Maria, Ashton's mother, was a caring, warm-hearted woman who recognise Robin's Luna status to her son, and she yielded the resources of her small pack, all of whom swore to the young widow. "You're the heiress to our title," Maria told her daughter-in-law. "Ashton would have taken over had he not been kidnapped, and as his mate, his claim is fulfilled. Do as you will; I'll happily be your Beta if you so choose."
Robin accepted the role gratefully, and with Maria's help, she assumed the Alpha role. The rest of the pack accepted her wholeheartedly, and she found them a great help.
For Asher was not giving up; despite Robin having successfully evaded capture, her furious ex-husband was determined to find her and bring her to her knees for betraying him, or so he thought. Robin found herself well rid of her brute of a former husband, and she embraced her new pack members as wholeheartedly as they embraced her, and together, they formed a defence even Asher found hard to break.
He resorted to threatening the lives of her son and daughter, but found himself stymied; their adopted packs had banded together to protect George and Rose, and Robin was relieved her children were being brought up in her tradition and not Asher's. Gloria and George were apparently inseperable, and Rose had wound her pack members around her little finger. The union between the two packs meant Asher had lost a valuable ally in his sister's pack, and he added them to his list of enemies.
"He's daft if he thinks he's going to win this," Maria confided in her alpha the night Robin got the news of her children's assured safety. "His sister never agreed with his principles, and since the death of her half-brother, she's found reason to go against Asher entirely. Asher better watch his back; he taught her everything she knows, and she's going to use all those dirty tricks if he tries coming after her pack."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODSsWWuPOQ
"Let's extend an overture of friendship to them," Robin suggested. "If they know I'm on their side, they should be willing to treat with us."
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The next day, Beta Amanda came. She was Jessica's best friend, and she'd been one of the key reasons why Jessica had never agreed with Asher's ideals. "Jess is willing to treat with you," she told Robin. "But on one condition; she's got rather attached to your daughter, and wants her to be the Alpha of the White Tail pack. Is that fair?"
"That's fair," Robin agreed. She'd be a stranger to her daughter in any case, and she didn't begrudge Jessica the chance to raise her heir. "Let Jessica know she has my blessing, and I know she'll raise her daughter to be everything her father isn't."
Amanda smiled. "I think you and I are going to get along really well," she said. "Oh, and in token of the future alliance, I want to let you know that Satine is well. She survived and reached haven with Luna Sarah of the Green Arches pack. Sarah has officially adopted her as heir, and Satine is very well protected. Sarah would, at some time, like to ask your permission to grant Satine the right to raise your son."
"Permission granted," Robin assured her. "In fact, tell Satine I can think of no one better to raise George, and I know she'll be a good mother to him. Also, send my deepest condolences on Roger's death, and let her know if there is anything I can do to help avenge his loss. He was a good man, and we lost a good alpha the day he was killed."
"I'll defintely pass that on," Amanda promised.
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With the treaty signed between her pack and Jessica's, Robin then reached out to Luna Sarah, who sent her Beta on her behalf. She wasn't entirely surprised when the Beta turned up the following day, and her sore heart was relieved as she and Satine embraced warmly. "I'm so glad you made it," Robin told her, when they finally separated. "How are you holding up?"
Satine shrugged. "Well enough," she said. "Roger wouldn't want me to grieve overmuch, and I can still feel his bond with me as strong as ever. That ought to give Asher ten fits of shit, and serves the fucker right. Now, terms. Sarah's already asked you for permission for me to raise George, and if you're happy to agree to that, I'm happy to treat on her behalf."
"I give full permission," Robin said, smiling. "As I told Amanda the other day, I can think of no one better, and I know you'll be a good mother to him."
"Then name your terms," Satine said, speaking formally. "If they're agreeable, we can sign the treaty, and the Green Arches pack will be your allies on my word."
"I just ask full aid in exterminating Asher and putting an end to his tyranny once and for all," Robin said. "I want the White Spring pack eradicated from existence. That way, the streets of New York will be safe to walk again. As for the packs allied with them, I leave their fate up to the powers that be. I know they were forced into alliance, and once Asher's dead, I'm sure they'll come to their senses. If not, we'll have to eradicate the more recalcitrant packs who insist on 'carrying on his mission'."
Satine chuckled. "Done and done," she said. "Sarah'll agree, if she's got the sense given her at birth. She can't stand Asher, and she's not alone. I think she'll be happy to agree to your terms."
Robin smiled and shook hands with her friend, sealing the treaty. "I think this is going to be one hell of an alliance," she said.
"Can't wait to see the fireworks," Satine agreed.
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