As I enter, guests are already arriving, but I’m not worried about being late. I operate on my own schedule, and this night is about Rayna anyway. I plan to deliver a brief speech about how Alpha Jeremiah’s pack has gained an incredible addition, about alliances, and all the usual positive rhetoric. After that, the spotlight will be on her for the rest of the evening. I’m also working through some last-minute emails as I go, careful to keep my phone hidden ** Robin would snatch it away if she caught me using it downstairs.
But when I reach my floor and open the door, I’m stopped dead in my tracks. A rich scent of honey and spice hits me like a physical blow, and I almost collapse to my knees. What the hell? It feels like I’ve just woken from a deep sleep. Every nerve in my body ignites, my mind sharpens, and my heart pounds so hard I swear it might burst through my chest.
“MATE!” my wolf shouts inside my head.
I grip the doorframe tightly to steady myself. Oh, shit.
I blink, shaking my head. No. There’s no way. The only people on this floor are Rayna, her mate, and his team. Besides the human they brought, there’s no other female here ** unless I’m missing something.
“MATE! Go get her, NOW!” my wolf demands, trying to take control and push me forward.
“No! I’m not barging into her room, especially if it’s the human. She obviously knows about werewolves, but we know nothing about her,” I argue silently.
“Go now!” he growls, frustration thick in his voice.
“Will you just stop?” I mutter, grateful I came up the back stairs. I slam my door shut behind me, effectively cutting off the strength of her scent. Had I come up the main stairs, I would have had to pass her door, and I don’t know if I could have resisted letting him take over then.
“We’ve been waiting seven years for her. You’re going to deny us now? We need her,” he pleads.
“Do you think I don’t know that? I’m terrified. What if she’s not what the pack needs? What if she makes us weaker? I’ve seen Alphas fall because of weak mates. Hell, I’ve taken down Alphas with weak mates. She’s a fucking human!” I run my hands over my face, frustration and fear swirling inside me. Why would the Goddess send us a human?
“Mates make us stronger. Those Alphas were weak from the start. Their mates couldn’t help them. Go to her. Try. I need my mate.”
“Even one without a wolf? You’d be alone.”
He doesn’t answer. I can feel the sadness in his silence, but it’s the truth. Lunas can’t be weak. They have to survive. They are the heart of the pack and frequent targets. I already have enough enemies ** I won’t force that on anyone unwillingly. My wolf retreats to the back of my mind, and I make a silent promise.
“I’ll meet her. But until I’m sure, I won’t tell anyone about being mates. That’s the least I can do.”
No reply, but the weight in my chest eases slightly.
I take a shower and get dressed, though I won’t admit it out loud, I spend more time than usual combing my hair and trimming my beard. Every last detail of grooming is attended to. I select a suit and decide to forgo the tie.
When I finally feel presentable enough to formally give my sister to her mate, I step out of my room and head down the main stairs, still enveloped in the spicy honey scent that my wolf and I have already come to love.
This is going to be harder than I imagined.
Kennedy
Aside from my senses feeling completely overwhelmed from being acutely aware of his presence all night, I’m genuinely enjoying myself. I’ve had the chance to chat with several of the warriors who trained alongside us today. Naturally, like true warriors, our conversations revolved around practical topics**debating the most effective fighting styles, sharing opinions on the best meals to fuel intense training, and discussing the ideal times of day for practice. Of course, my favorite subject came up too: the most epic fight scenes in the greatest fight movies. Many of these warriors are around my age and still in high school, so we also talked about the challenges of juggling school with all the responsibilities that come with being a warrior. It’s encouraging to hear that even with so many packs to support, they still have options and plans for their futures.
These people are incredible**they’ve kept me laughing all night. For the first time in what feels like ages, my guys aren’t hovering over me like protective shadows. It seems they’re enjoying themselves too, relaxing instead of playing my bodyguards. That doesn’t mean they’ve wandered far, but it’s a start. Meanwhile, Rayna and I are having a fantastic time together. She’s introduced me to so many people that I doubt I’ll remember all their names, but it’s refreshing to have a girl in my corner for once. I think she feels the same way; I noticed her brother and his friends patrol in a way very similar to mine. We have more in common than I initially thought. Eventually, they leave us dancing in the middle of their makeshift barrier. They might think they’re being discreet, but judging by how the guys keep glancing at us and then back at them, subtle isn’t exactly the word. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. We’re laughing, singing along to every song, and many of the older wolves have already called it a night, so I don’t feel guilty about letting loose a little more than usual.
Finally, a slow song begins to play, and Ben sweeps me into his arms. I’ve danced with all of them equally tonight, but Ben has been noticeably closer, more than usual. There’s definitely something going on with him, and I can’t help but feel a little uneasy. I know we aren’t mates, but sometimes the way he looks at me makes me wonder if he wants more than just friendship. I shared many firsts with all of them, but Ben holds my biggest first, and that will always be special. Still, I just don’t see anything beyond friendship in him.
Despite my reservations, I let him hold me tightly. I have a hunch this is something he needs from me right now. We sway together for only a few moments when Rayna’s voice cuts through the music. “Ryker! There you are. Come meet everyone.”
I turn in Ben’s arms and spot the unfairly handsome Alpha watching us. Oh no, oh no, oh no. My mind freezes as he starts moving toward us. I’ve been trying to avoid him all night, but he always seems to be near**like a planet orbiting me, or more likely Rayna**never drifting closer or farther no matter where we move in this enormous room. And he’s good at mingling while patrolling us. I have to admit, I’m impressed. He could probably teach Jer a thing or two about subtle hovering.
Ben releases me to stand beside him as Rayna formally introduces us to her brother. He offers a half-smile, the kind that looks like his face can’t quite manage a full one. Maybe this is just a formality for him. Rayna did say most of the rumors about him are true. Maybe he’s a total narcissistic jerk, and we simply aren’t worth his extra effort. Or perhaps this half-smile is his version of going the extra mile. Aside from his speech, he hasn’t said a word to any of us, and I hate that my body betrays me by craving to hear the deep gravel of his voice again. I swear, just listening to him talk about pack unity made me feel like I was melting**his voice vibrating through me better than any toy I own.
I shake my head, pushing those thoughts aside to save for when I’m alone in my room later. That’s when I realize Alpha Ryker and I are standing alone. I glance around, wondering if I’m imagining things. When did that happen? To make things even stranger, another slow song starts playing. He almost looks pained at the idea of having to dance with me. But before I can turn and run, he silently extends his hand. I take it, though reluctantly.
The moment our skin touches, it’s like I’ve stuck my finger into a live electrical socket while standing in a puddle of water. I can’t pull away even if I wanted to. Every nerve in my body ignites like a firework, and I’m pretty sure I just came right there**my panties ruined, legs trembling like jelly, mind completely scrambled. I’m lost in his eyes, yet somehow see nothing at all. And that’s just from one touch of his hand.
Then he does something that’s almost cruel**he pulls me closer, slow and deliberate, as if silently asking permission to touch me. His other large hand slides around my waist, settling at the small of my back, where the only thing between us is the sheer, barely-there fabric of my dress. The warmth from his hands seeps deep into me, spreading southward, adding to the heat already burning from staring at him all night long.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.