Chapter 32: No More Secrets

ALEKSANDR

I knew it. He was giving us information to build trust, just waiting for his opportunity to turn it around and force us to open up as well. We didn’t really have much choice at this point. We either come clean about our reasons for seeking him out, or risk being labeled untrustworthy.

A reputation like that can be very damaging to an alpha. Even an alpha with a good reputation is welcomed cautiously, but if an alpha displays questionable behavior during a visit, word spreads quickly and all packs immediately become icy towards him. If the behavior continues to be suspicious, packs become outright hostile.

It shouldn’t be that way, but when alpha males gather, the urge to show dominance is overwhelming and only the most controlled alphas can resist and be cordial. Alphas who can’t, doom their packs to isolation and, ultimately, failure.

We may all be separate packs, but we rely on our ability to operate amicably and support one another during tough times to survive.