Then there’s this whole mate situation I have to sort out. I really need to sit down with Jeremiah and get a clearer picture of who she is. Last night, I didn’t notice any pack mark or brand on her, which makes me wonder if she’s even officially connected to the pack. But honestly, I wasn’t exactly scanning for those signs, so it’s possible I missed something important.
That leads me to a bigger question: if she isn’t a formal member of the pack, how does she hold the rank of warrior? If something went wrong, could she even call for backup? She clearly can’t shift, which puts her at a disadvantage in our world. So how did she manage to rise so far, becoming a warrior and even befriending the future Alpha?
I’ve thought about that a lot. She’s clearly close to Jeremiah, yet no one seems bothered by it**not even my sister, who is his mate. Usually, mates**especially female ones**are fiercely territorial. They’d tear apart any woman who got too close to their mate. That jealousy runs deep until they mark each other, which is the ultimate bond. Once marked, you can track your mate anywhere, and any infidelity sends a sharp, agonizing signal. It’s a sacred connection.
So if I can’t mark Kennedy, what does that mean for us? Would I have no real claim on her? Could she simply use me for the title without any real loyalty? I’ve seen too many weak Lunas who had mates but couldn’t handle the immense responsibility of leading and protecting a pack alongside their Alpha. One pack I took over was torn apart because the Luna was unfaithful, and the Alpha literally lost his mind. If I’m unable to mark her, could Kennedy cheat without me ever knowing? Just the thought of it churns my stomach and ignites a fire of rage inside me. I push my legs harder, fueling my muscles with renewed energy. Speaking of blind jealousy, I’m going to have to tame this new beast inside me.
Whenever I reach a double pack border, I make it a point to pause and carefully survey the land between the two territories. Border disputes are the worst**they’re infuriating, especially since all this land belongs to me, not them. I’m seriously considering building a school and a hospital right on the old boundary lines, accessible to both packs, just to prove a point. Not all the packs I’ve absorbed are hostile. Three of them have started to coexist peacefully, and with the expanded territory, more people are meeting their destined mates, and the communities are thriving. My challenge now is to bring more of these stubborn packs on board with the vision.
I managed to complete my entire run without too many interruptions, though I did have to double back a couple of times. Both my wolf and I kept drifting off into daydreams about Kennedy in that dress from last night. Our favorite mental image was trailing behind her as she walked toward my office. I found myself scrambling for excuses to get Robin to send me those photos again**ones that wouldn’t make me seem like a total creep or raise too much suspicion. Robin was already onto me; she knew my attention zeroed in on anything related to Kennedy far too easily.
“My only regret is that we didn’t get to see her in ecstasy last night. Next time, Ryker, we have to make sure we do,” my wolf whined with a low, teasing growl.
“If she’s willing to give us a next time, I promise I’ll make it happen,” I replied, feeling a mixture of hope and determination.
***
After finishing my run, I headed back to the tree where I had stashed my shorts and silently thanked the Goddess I’d decided to bring underwear along. As I stepped out from behind the tree and made my way toward my truck to grab some water, I spotted Kennedy approaching. She was surrounded by nearly every pup in our pack, each vying for her attention. She laughed warmly, engaging with everyone, her presence lighting up the area.
She looked absolutely stunning.
A little girl was holding Kennedy’s hand, and that’s when my wolf really perked up, making me acutely aware of the tightness in my boxer briefs. I recognized the girl immediately; I’d seen her during the young pups’ training sessions. She couldn’t have been more than eight years old, with blonde hair that looked just like Kennedy’s from this distance. The girl gazed up at my mate with pure adoration, and it didn’t take much for my mind to wander to the idea of her carrying my pups someday. Great. I rubbed my face, trying to shake the sudden flood of thoughts**apparently, my wolf was now obsessed with pups, too. I always thought that was a girl thing. Though, judging by his tone, he seemed more interested in the activities that led to having pups. Meanwhile, I just stood there behind my truck, feeling like a total creep, trying to calm down my very obvious attraction to her.
“Get a grip, Ryker. You’re going to embarrass us both,” I muttered under my breath.
“Will you be mad if I say no?” His deep, rumbling laugh made me grin despite myself.
“If you want me anywhere near her, you better control yourself. I refuse to go up to her looking like one of those teenagers trailing her around,” I warned.
“Fine. Understood,” he conceded reluctantly.
Horny-ass wolf. I’m so screwed.
When I glanced back at Kennedy, she was chatting with the little girl again, not once glancing in my direction. I wasn’t sure if she was deliberately avoiding me or simply hadn’t noticed I was there. Maybe she was embarrassed about what happened last night, or perhaps she regretted it. Maybe I’d said or done something wrong. My stomach tightened with uncertainty. This was exactly why I’d never been good at relationships**there were just too many confusing signals. She’d told me it was hot and even said goodnight, but maybe I’d missed something important. I hoped not. For now, I decided to let her come to me.
Kennedy said her goodbyes to all the kids, who lined up to receive a personal farewell from her**something none of their trainers had ever done, as far as I knew.
Then, without hesitation, she walked straight into Jeremiah’s arms. My wolf growled low in response, though thankfully, it wasn’t loud enough to be heard. I forced myself to trust my sister, who was standing nearby, smiling at Kennedy with a calm, knowing expression.
“And where have you been all morning? We’ve been trying to reach you,” Jeremiah asked, his voice catching my attention sharply.
Why hadn’t they been able to get in touch with her? The question hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension.
Kennedy
As I arrived at the training grounds, a group of warriors emerged from their vehicles, casting curious glances my way. Even Alpha Ryker, usually composed and unreadable, seemed momentarily taken aback by the sight of my entourage. He lingered near his truck, sipping water quietly, his expression guarded but unmistakably puzzled. I deliberately avoided meeting his gaze, unsure of how I felt about the events of last night. The faint glisten of sweat on his forehead caught my eye, but I quickly forced my mind away from any lingering thoughts, especially with so many young warriors milling around me.
“Will you come to our training?” Emily’s voice pulled me back from my reverie. She bounced on her toes, eager to impress. “I want to show you how much I’ve improved.” With a playful grin, she threw a few shadow punches in my direction.
I chuckled softly. “I’m not sure what my plans are for the rest of the day, but if I can, I’ll definitely come watch you.” Her small arms wrapped around my waist in a warm hug, and I returned it without hesitation. After that, I exchanged quick fist bumps with the guys, offering brief goodbyes as they headed back the way we had come.
“And where have you been all morning? We’ve been trying to reach you,” Jeremiah said, pulling me into a playful headlock. I laughed, the tension easing from my shoulders.
“I went for a walk, met up with the pups, and squeezed in a game of soccer. You know, the usual,” I replied.
“I hate it when you just disappear like that,” he grumbled.
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.