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J.D. was the first to launch into questions. “So, what pack are you from?”

“Ninth,” Gavin said.

“What’s the location? I’ve never met someone from the Ninth Pack.”

Gavin sighed. “Eastern Wilds, same as Eleventh Pack.”

He didn’t seem excited to answer questions. While J.D. continued to badger him, Gavin stared across the room at Wyatt and Leif, who were standing together. Every few seconds, Gavin’s gaze swiveled toward me, and I couldn’t miss how he looked at me. The only way to describe it was lustful, and that made me even more uncomfortable. Had there been something stewing under the surface all the years I was promised to his brother?

“Will you or your brother be alpha now?” J.D. asked.

Gavin shook his head. “I’m not allowed to be alpha. My brother Jayson will take that role.”

Jayson was alpha of the Ninth Pack? That was weird to contemplate. Their dad had always been such a strong presence—of course he had after being alpha for nearly forty years. He’d taken over the role at eighte