"When you know yourselves better, you might find that you’ve always known this about yourselves, too. I’m fine with all of us being exactly whoever and whatever we are. Most of the time, our designation is written into our DNA. It’s part of who we are. In very rare instances, our designation isn’t set in stone, and we get to choose who we are. That’s what happened in my case, because of my defect. My body is better suited to being a beta, but who I am inside has always been more of an alpha. When I first shifted, I leaned more to my alpha side, then I met your father and learned about the workings of his pack and I felt a strong pull to Clearwater Valley despite how much I disliked Dalton's way of thinking. It was a strange wolf pull, and it grew significantly stronger the first time I heard your heartbeat inside me. So, I made a conscious choice to suppress my alpha side and live as a beta in this pack. It hasn't been easy, but I've tried to be the best beta I could possibly be. I've tried to live and raise you the way of the wolf. I followed Dalton's leadership because every time I thought about upping and leaving the pack and taking you somewhere more normal, I felt the hot and cold kick of instinct so hard in my chest it almost incapacitated me. I haven't understood why until today. I've only known that you belong here."

"How do you do it? Supress your alpha side, I mean?"

"It takes a lot intention and mental focus. The tea Mrs. O’Malley makes for me helps keep me subdued, and now and again, your father and I go on our trips, and I unleash whatever’s been pent up in me on him and . . .”

“Thanks, Mom!” I cut her off sharply. “I think that’s a lot more than I need to know.”

She giggled and shrugged, but not very apologetically.

“What was all that about me being the White Wolf? I mean, you know that’s bullshit, right?”

She cocked her head and looked at me curiously.

“The White Wolf is a myth, Mom. It’s a fairy tale. I’m an alpha and my wolf happens to be white. That’s all.”

She studied me for a long time. “I may not know everything, Sully, but I know instinct and fate. And I know the pack needs a strong leader and you're the strongest wolf I've ever seen.”

I closed my eyes and tried to find the strength I’d need to lead a broken, aging pack. I came up empty. “I’m not ready, Mom.”

She was quiet, forcing me to fill the silence.