The following morning, Serena woke with a clear plan. She had spent the previous evening studying Alpha Kaidan more carefully than she had studied him since returning to Blackclaw. The dinner had given her something she needed more than reassurance.
It had shown her that Alpha Kaidan was still comfortable with the version of her he remembered.
He had laughed. He had relaxed. He had spoken about the past without becoming defensive. He had even agreed when Serena suggested they should have dinner together again sometime. That was enough.
She needed to make herself part of his daily decisions again. By the time Serena entered the dining room, Grace was already setting breakfast on the table.
"Good morning, Miss Serena."
"Good morning, Grace."
Grace set down another plate before returning to the kitchen.
Serena sat quietly, picking up her glass of water. She glanced toward the entrance when she heard footsteps, but it was only one of the household staff passing through the hallway.
A few minutes later, Alpha Kaidan entered. "Good morning."
Serena smiled. "Good morning, Alpha."
Alpha Kaidan took his usual seat. "You’re up early."
"I slept well."
"That’s good."
Serena began eating. She didn’t bring up the previous evening. She didn’t ask about the council, Naomi, or what Alpha Kaidan intended to do about anything.
Instead, she let the silence remain comfortable.
After a few minutes, Alpha Kaidan looked across the table. "You seem quiet."
Serena smiled lightly. "I’m enjoying breakfast."
Alpha Kaidan gave a small laugh. "You were never this quiet before."
"Maybe four years changed me."
Alpha Kaidan studied her for a moment before returning his attention to his food.
Serena waited. She knew better than to rush him.
When breakfast was almost over, Alpha Kaidan glanced at his watch. "I have several things to deal with today."
"Busy day?"
"Very."
Serena nodded. "You should go." Alpha Kaidan stood. Serena looked at him. "Alpha Kaidan."
He waited. "There’s something I wanted to mention."
"What is it?"
Serena hesitated just long enough to make it seem as though she was reconsidering. "Never mind."
Alpha Kaidan waited. "You already have enough to deal with."
"What were you going to say?"
Serena gave him a small smile. "It isn’t important."
"Tell me."
She lowered her gaze briefly. "I was thinking about the pack gathering next week."
Alpha Kaidan’s expression changed slightly. "What about it?"
"I heard Grace mention that preparations haven’t been finalised."
"They haven’t."
Serena nodded. "I thought so."
Alpha Kaidan waited for her to continue.
Serena picked up her glass. "When we used to have gatherings like that, the families usually knew exactly where to go, what was expected of them, and who was handling each part of the evening."
Alpha Kaidan leaned against the back of his chair.
"We’re still working on that."
"I can imagine." Serena smiled.
Then she added casually, "Although I suppose things are different now."
"How?"
"There are more people involved. Different families. Different expectations." She shrugged. "It isn’t really my place to say."
Alpha Kaidan frowned slightly. "You’re part of the pack."
"I know."
"Then why wouldn’t it be your place?"
Serena looked at him. "Because I just returned."
She let the words settle before continuing. "I don’t want anyone thinking I’m trying to take over something that doesn’t belong to me."
Alpha Kaidan’s expression softened. "You’re not taking anything over."
"I know you don’t see it that way."
"Because it isn’t."
Serena smiled. "That is why I like talking to you."
Alpha Kaidan gave her a questioning look. "You always make things sound simple."
"They usually are."
Serena laughed quietly. "Maybe for you."
Alpha Kaidan checked his watch again. Serena stood from the table. "I’ll let you get to work."
She picked up her plate, but Alpha Kaidan spoke before she could move. "Wait."
Serena turned back. "What did you mean when you said you used to help with gatherings?"
Serena smiled faintly. "My family handled most of the social arrangements in our pack. I helped my mother when I was younger. Nothing important."
"You never mentioned this."
"I don’t think we’ve ever had such a discussion."
"You know how to organise one."
"I know how to help."
Alpha Kaidan considered it. Serena did not offer herself, she didn’t need to.
"I’ll speak to John," Alpha Kaidan said.
Serena’s eyes lifted. "About what?"
"The gathering."
"You don’t have to."
"I know."
Alpha Kaidan walked toward the doorway. "You said you know how to handle that kind of thing. It makes sense to let you help."
Serena smiled. "If you’re sure."
"I am."
"All right."
Alpha Kaidan nodded and left. Serena remained where she was until she heard the front door close.
Only then did her smile change.
She had not asked Alpha Kaidan for a position, she had not asked to organise anything. Alpha Kaidan had made the decision himself. That was exactly what she wanted.
Later that morning, Alpha Kaidan was in his office when John entered with several documents.
"Sir."
Alpha Kaidan looked up. "What do you have?"
"The updated list for next week’s pack gathering. There are still some details that need to be handled."
Alpha Kaidan took the papers. "Which ones?"
"The family seating, guest arrangements, and coordination with the households."
Alpha Kaidan scanned the list. "Who was handling those?"
"No one has been assigned yet."
Alpha Kaidan thought about the conversation at breakfast. "Give that responsibility to Serena."
John looked at him briefly. "Miss Serena?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure, Sir?"
"She has experience with this kind of thing."
John nodded. "All right."
Alpha Kaidan handed the papers back. "Let her know what she needs to handle. I don’t want her dealing with anything outside the gathering itself."
"Yes, Sir."
John took the documents. "Anything else?"
"No." John left.
Alpha Kaidan returned to his work without thinking much more about the decision. To him, it was practical.
Serena knew how to organise gatherings. There was work that needed to be done. Giving her responsibility for it was reasonable.
The responsibility would put her in contact with families. It would give her a reason to speak with members of the pack. It would place her beside Alpha Kaidan during an important social event.
Most importantly, it would make her presence official without requiring Alpha Kaidan to announce anything about her position.
Serena received the message before noon.
A member of the household staff came to her room and explained that Alpha Kaidan had assigned her responsibility for coordinating the family arrangements for the upcoming gathering.
Serena listened carefully. "Did Alpha Kaidan say that himself?"
"Yes, Miss Serena."
Serena nodded. "Thank you."
After the staff member left, Serena sat at the edge of the bed. She smiled.
It had worked more easily than she expected. She had not needed to pressure Alpha Kaidan.
She had simply reminded him of something she could do, allowed him to decide that it was useful, and let him believe the idea belonged to him.
That was the difference between asking for power and being given it.
That afternoon, Serena began working.
She met with the household staff responsible for the gathering and went through the arrangements. She asked questions, made suggestions, and listened when people explained what had already been planned.
She didn’t behave as though she had returned to take control.
Instead, she made herself easy to work with.
When one of the staff members struggled with the guest list, Serena helped sort it.
When another mentioned that several families had requested changes to their seating arrangements, Serena handled the issue without complaining.
By the end of the afternoon, the preparations were moving smoothly.
Serena stood near the dining hall entrance, reviewing the final list, when Christine approached. "You’re busy."
Serena smiled. "Alpha Kaidan asked me to help with the gathering."
Christine looked pleased. "He did?"
"Yes."
"How did that happen?"
Serena lowered the papers. "We were having breakfast. We talked about the gathering, and Alpha Kaidan remembered that I used to help organise things like this."
Christine smiled. "That was thoughtful of him."
Serena returned the smile. "I didn’t ask him."
"I know."
Christine’s eyes remained on her. "You didn’t have to."
Serena said nothing. Christine understood anyway.
"This will allow you to be around the pack again."
"That isn’t why I agreed."
Christine raised an eyebrow. "Of course not."
Serena laughed softly. "I just want to help."
Christine touched her arm. "You’re doing the right thing."
Serena looked toward the hallway. "I think Alpha Kaidan needs to see that I’m not here to cause problems."
Christine nodded. "And once he sees that, everything else will fall into place."
Serena didn’t answer. She didn’t need Christine to understand the rest, she already had her own plan.
The gathering was only the beginning.
She had gained responsibility without demanding it. Soon, people would get used to seeing her involved again. Alpha Kaidan would get used to relying on her. The more ordinary her presence became, the harder it would be for anyone to question it.
Serena picked up the papers. "I should finish this."
Christine nodded. "I’ll leave you to it."
After Christine walked away, Serena continued down the hallway.
She wasn’t interested in taking Naomi’s place overnight that would be too obvious.
She wanted something much more useful. She wanted Alpha Kaidan to keep making choices that moved her closer to the position she wanted.
And if Alpha Kaidan continued believing those choices were his own, Serena had no reason to stop.