Blake walked with me to meet Celeb and the Thompsons before heading up to Candice’s penthouse prison. “Do you think it was a good idea to show your hand, however little, to the lunas and their deltas?” I shrugged, “The most they could report is that I’m decently trained, and fast. I doubt any of them will say anything at all because then they’d have to admit that they tried a little training themselves.” “Maybe,” Blake sighed, “but if they do say something, it could make you look bad to the other Alphas.” I stopped walking and frowned at him, “Yes I must be positively evil to want their mates to remain safe and be able to defend themselves. People like Kelly and Sophie who have had no training can rely on their wolves to help them fight. Women without wolves are left completely defenseless. It’s senseless and reckless if you ask me.” “I’m not disagreeing with you,” he tapped his wrist to remind me that we
Dmitri sat astride one of three motorcycles parked out front of the guest house with a broad smile. “That took longer than I thought it would. She’s still alive isn’t she?” I frowned at him in mock annoyance, “As if Caleb would let me destroy his carefully crafted plan to make her death a public spectacle. I wasn’t even allowed to talk directly to her and tell her what a stupid cunt she was to ruin her last chance to talk to her parents.” “They didn’t look very upset when they left just now,” Dmitri cocked his head as if studying me, “What really happened up there?”&nbs
“You did better than I thought you would,” Dmitri watched me pull my hair back up after we showered and changed to meet the other Alphas for drink. I frowned at him over my shoulder, “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take that.” “You won Maxim over already,” he smiled, “I expected him to need a lot more than being yanked off his feet.” “Only a little over half of the Alphas are even here, and there’s still plenty of time for him to change his mind.”&
I was still annoyed with all three of them the next morning and used Kelly’s check-up as an excuse to think about something else for a while. Blake frowned at me as we walked towards the hospital to meet with Kelly and Dr Martinez. “You seem unusually broody this morning. I thought the time spent with the other Alphas had been successful.” “It was fine,” I shrugged not really wanting to talk about the part that irritated me. “I just don’t like all these political mind games we have to play.” “Alpha Maxim seems to be a strong candidate for an ally,” Blake gave me a hopeful smile.&nb
Nathan split off from me as soon as he was sure that I would keep Blake by my side for the rest of the day. Kelly’s check-up went well; she and the baby were strong and well. But, I was concerned about her mental state as she continued to adjust to her and her wolf’s gifts. “Are you sure that you want to go through with the baby shower? I don’t care what anyone else thinks; if you aren’t feeling up for it, I’ll cancel and everyone else will just have to deal with it.” Kelly smiled at me, “I’m sure that it’ll be fine. It’ll only last a few hours and it’ll be good for the pack, right?” “I’m more concerned about what is good for you,” I argued and looked to Blake to back me up. “If it becomes too much,” she shrugged, “I’ll just pretend to be tired and leave early.” “Pretend?” Blake danced out of her reach with a big grin as she tried to smack his arm. Watching the two of them together always p
Four new Lunas had arrived since the day before, and Jeanette made sure I was introduced to them before getting everyone else settled in at the tables assembled in the greenhouse. “This is Luna Makayla Crestwood of the Red Oasis Pack, Luna Katherine O’Donnell of the Bloodmoon Pride, Luna Sarah Clark of the Silent Silver River Pack, and Luna Lisa Lawrence of the Raging Peaks Pack. Ladies, this is Alpha Selene D’Arcadia Volkov of the Opalescent Moon Pack.” Each one gave me a soft submissive nod as they were introduced, but I was starting to worry that I’d never be able to remember everyone’s names if many more showed up over the next few days. I pushed my worry aside and gave them all a smile, “I hope that you all were able to settle in comfortably. This is my Delta, Blake,” I gestured towards him and then at the four men that no one mentioned that were unfamiliar to me, “And these gentlemen are?” Each woman looked taken aback and confused
“Do you think that Connor is going to stay or leave?” I had waited to voice the question until we were making our way to join the other Alphas for drinks again. I could feel the irritation still radiating off of Dmitri, “Depends on which consequences he can live with.” “What do you mean?” He let out a soft sigh, “If he leaves the other Alphas will consider him a coward. If he stays he’ll be considered inferior to us. Either way his position weakens and could jeopardize any alliances that he has.” His brows knit together like he was trying to decide whether or not to say more. When I frowned at him he added, “If he stays we’ll have to be keep a close eye on him in case he tries to retaliate.” His eyes zeroed in on the twitch of my lips, “You didn’t.” I shrugged, “If, after all of that, he honestly thinks his place is to be in a position to challenge us in anyway, then he deserves whatever ha
She took one look at my face and patted the space on the bed beside her and opened her arms to me. So many times in my life this was the most comforting place I knew. Even though I knew that she wasn’t my mother now, I still felt that maternal love from her when she held me close like this. “I haven’t seen you look like this in years,” Kalliope sighed into my hair, “not since you were a little girl.” I leaned my head on her shoulder, “I’m starting to think I hate men.” She chuckled, “I’m sure whatever the problem is, you and your mate will find a way to work it out.” “Not him,” I shook my head, “at least not this time. It’s all the other Alphas and their politics and rigid views on what a woman should be, and their egotistical macho bull shit!” She squeezed me tighter, “It can be a difficult game to play, but they’ll soon go back to their own packs and life will go back to normal for y