hapter 80
Laney
I watched my mate, my official mate of three days, while he fought for his position as Gamma. I had no doubt that he would win. He’s a great fighter, but an even better instructor, which is what the Gamma position would do, train the warriors in our pack.
Our pack. I’m still getting used to the idea of being a part of this pack I watch as Alpha Warren jogs over and kisses his mate for the pack, the goddess, and the world to see. The love that is shared in this pack is unlike anything that I’ve ever seen, and definitely unlike anything in Thomas‘ pack, even when his father was Alpha
This pack feels good. The camaraderie, the cohesiveness, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen or felt. This pack acts like a pack should. They act like a family, protecting each other, and working together. Even this competition against Haynes feels
different.
I’d been terrified that these five warriors would work together to take Haynes out. It’s what would have happened in my previous pack. They would have worked together to find his weakness and one by one, they would have played on his weakness until one of them took him out, most likely forever. Death in these types of competitions wasn’t uncommon in Thomas‘ pack. But it’s just another difference here.
When Luna Yara tells Haynes that she expects to congratulate him later on his win, I’m surprised again. First that she clearly identified who her preference is, but second, rather than making it more of a competition, the others realized that Haynes won’t let his Luna down. They were ready to give up and let him have the position.
And then the biggest surprise of all, Alpha Warren told them to continue. He’s right. The not knowing for sure could cause animosity in the future, it could mean that warriors test Hayne and therefore me, more than they should because they never truly found out if he could defeat them.
In between each battle, Alpha Warren gives Haynes a break to breathe and get some water. He always jogs over and kisses me, each kiss becoming more and more sweaty. But I don’t care. At first, I thought it would feel strange for him to kiss me in front of others. In this pack, though, it feels right. I’d almost be upset if he didn’t kiss me in front of everyone.
When he defeats his final opponent, he first checks to make sure he’s okay, congratulating him on a good fight, then he turns to me. I race into his arms, slamming my body against his as I wrap my arms around him.
“You did it!” I say excitedly, before kissing him.
I can feel his growl of happiness vibrating against my body as I kiss him.
“Congratulations, Gamma,” several warriors say. I can feel them slapping him on the shoulder as they pass, but he doesn’t. stop kissing me.
When he finally pulls back, he smiles at me. “I think they were talking to you.”
1 bark out a laugh, just as Beta Charlie and my sister come out to congratulate Haynes.
“Gamma Haynes,” Charlie says, walking up.
“Gamma Laney,” Noelle says, smiling at me.
“Beta Noelle,” I say, before pulling her into a hug. A year ago, I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to protect my sister, to keep her away from Thomas or the others who wanted her, but now, here we are, in this amazing pack and we’re both ranked members.
“Why don’t you go get cleaned up. I believe our Alpha is planning another celebration for you tonight.”
“Another one?” I ask.
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1516 Mon,
Chapter 80
“We have a lot to celebrate–Good things are happening in this pack. We should always celebrate good things, and now we
I look at my mate. “We should definitely celebrate.” I say proudly.
“What kind of celebration are we having?” he asks, his eyes darkening.
I laugh. “Every kind possible.”
“Perfect, let’s start now,” he says, scooping me up and carrying me into the packhouse.
“Get something to eat. Charlie calls from behind us.
“Oh, I’m definitely going to be eating,” Haynes growls, making me blush. I’ve never blushed as much as I have since I met this man. I don’t think I’d ever blushed before, ever. But now, I know exactly what he’s saying, what he means, and what it will feel like when he has his face between my thighs
I can’t wait
Noelle POV
I lean into my mate as we watch Haynes, Gamma Haynes now, carry my sister up to their room where I’m sure begin celebrating right away.
will
Charlie kisses the top of my head “Come walk with me,” he says, taking my hand and leading me away from the packhouse. I know my mate. I know he’s focusing on the patrols, making sure they’re running as they should be, making sure that the feeling in the pack is positive and nothing seems out of place. He as much as Alpha Warren, manages this pack and everything in it. For the longest time, it’s just been the two of them and they did a fantastic job of taking care of everything Now though, they have Lunu Yara and myself. And now, we also have a Gamma couple to help run the pack. I know it will take my mate a while to finally let go of what he’s been doing his entire adult life.
I wait until he’s finished with his mental overview of the pack, watching this strong, sexy man as we walk.
“You’re staring at me,” he says, turning to smile at me.
“I’m not staring at you. I’m looking at you”
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes, one is creepy and the other isn’t,” I say, smiling up at him. He chuckles. It’s a warm, deep sound that I love hearing
then?”
“Why are you looking at me the
“Well, besides the fact that you’re bringing me out here for a reason and I’m pack. You’re very good at it. You could have been an Alpha, you know?” I say.
ing to hear it, I was watching you aves the
He shrugs. “Like I’ve told Warren, his job sucks. Being a Beta is MUCH better,” he says
“Is it? Because truthfully, the two of you do almost the same things for this pack. I’ve been watching you run this pack and two of you move in a seamless synchronization. When he takes care of one thing you shift to cover what he’s not watching and the same for him when you move to focus on something. Its impressive. And the two of you have obviously been doing at so long that I don’t even think you realize you’re doing it anymore Like now, you know Alpha Warren is upstairs, waiting to talk to Luna Yara about whatever she carne by to tell him earlier, so you’ve just automatically taken over monitoring the entire pack. When he comes back down for the party later, he’ll re–engage and you’ll shift to covering only certain things
I stop and pull him to a stop with me. “It’s a testament to what great leaders both of you are. Betas are frequently overlooked for the hard work that they do in the pack, or at least, that’s been my experience. So, I wanted you to know that I see you. I see what you do, and I recognize the value that you bring to this pack Alpha Warren may be the Alpha, and he’s a great
15:16 Mon, Dec 2
Chapter 80
Alpha. But without you, I don’t think he’d still be an Alpha. I’m not even sure he’d still be alive.”
1 watch my mate’s jaw tick as I feel the strong emotions welling inside him. I’m not sure anyone has ever told him how impressive he is. Alpha Warren, possibly, but what I said is true Betas are often overworked and underappreciated
He pulls me against him. “You’re proud of who I am?”
“I’m proud of the Beta that you are, I’m proud of the man and wolf that you are, I’m proud to be your mate, and I’m proud that one day, I will be the mother of your pups,” I say, reaching up to stroke his cheek, rubbing my thumb over his jaw until he relaxes.
He leans down, kissing me deeply, opening his mind and letting his emotions, his pride in my words flow through me. I open myself to him, letting him feel just how much I meant every word I said, how much I love him and how grateful I am to have him as my mate,
He pulls back and leans his forehead against mine. “You want to have my pups?”
“I do,” I say.
“That’s what I wanted to talk about. Now that our Alpha and Luna are trying for a pup, I thought that maybe, we could start trying. I mean, if you’re ready.”
I kiss my mate again, then kiss his jaw, making my way to his ear where I nibble on his earlobe before whispering in his ear
“I already am.”
He jerks back, looking at my face.
“You already are…”
I smile. “Pregnant. I just found out this morning”
He lifts me up, swinging me around as he lifts his head and howls happily.
Then he sets me down and kisses me as passionately as he does when we’re making love.
“You’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.”
“Congratulations, Daddy. You’re going to be a father!”
He howls again as I laugh, then he pulls me deeper into the forest and shows me just how happy he is.
B
