Page 36 of Drew

The smile that spread across her face was one of pure joy. “Oh, yeah.”

“To Maddox?” She thought back to the giant hulk of a man who had rammed his way out of the stairwell and into the hallway that morning. “I think I met him.”

“This morning, yes. He told me.”

Alyssa nodded. “What’s it like?”

Fredrica’s eyebrows pulled together. “What?”

“Having a mate? What was it like when you met him?”

Her gaze clouded with memory, and she chuckled. “I basically told him to fuck off.”

That drew a smile from Alyssa. It was nice to talk to a female shifter and see that what Drew said was true. They could be themselves and not have to kowtow to the men. “Really? Why?”

“He came on a little strong.” She crossed her arms and leaned against a wall. “I’m not sure how much Drew has told you, but he inherited this pack from his father.”

“A pack can be inherited?”

She wiggled her head back and forth. “Sort of? It depends on the reigning alpha and his son. Some sons aren’t born alphas or betas and therefore have no interest in running a pack. Some are alphas, but their opinions on leadership differ from what the pack wants, in which case another alpha or beta might step up and challenge him for the position. But in Drew’s case, everyone liked how his father managed our pack, and it was clear Drew had no intention of making any big changes. Everyone stayed after he took leadership. Except for his parents and mine.”

Fredrica pushed off the wall and began leading them back the way they’d come, past the caged animals, and toward the front of the building. “His parents wanted a simpler life instead of continuing to lead, so they moved to Florida for some distance and relaxation. Although, apparently, Thompson, Drew’s dad, is president of the condo board, and at least one recreational group down there.” She shrugged. “He’s a born leader. My parents moved down there too, but they come back often. They’re best friends. My dad was pack beta, and naturally, Callum assumed the role when he left. But they’ve been visiting more frequently since I announced my mating. They wanted to meet the man who’d claimed me.”

“Claimed you?” Alyssa didn’t like the sound of that.

The graphic designer laughed. “That’s what he thought was going to happen. He strolled into town, found me, and demanded I basically follow him to his hotel room and let him do his thing.”

“Seriously?” Okay, that wasn’t going to happen.

“Yeah, like that was going to happen,” Fredrica said, mirroring Alyssa’s thoughts. “He learned quickly that I wouldn’t put up with his macho, chauvinistic attitude. I was raised to believe that I could be who I wanted and do anything I put my mind to. No way in hell was I going to bow down to some jackass that was used to women falling at his feet.”

Amen.

“Anyway, we had a bit of a rocky start.” She led Alyssa into a small office, explaining it was where she worked when she was at the facility rather than the factory.

After an appreciative glance around Fredrica’s tidy space, Alyssa guided their discussion back to mating. “He’s imprinted on you and everything?”

“Yep.” Fredrica beamed.

“What’s that part like?” Having grown up with no pack to support her, it fascinated her, not only how they functioned, but the feminine view of all this new information.

“Imagine the best orgasm you’ve ever had, then multiply it by about a hundred. That’s what it’s like.” She sighed. “It’s difficult to explain and needs to be experienced, but it was like our souls touched or something.” She glanced at Alyssa, then straightened. ”Anyway, you’ll basically be chasing that high and that powerful orgasm for the rest of your life. Mated sex is incredible, but imprinting was wow. Maddox keeps trying to recreate it, which I am totally fine with.” She winked. “He can try anytime he likes.”

She pulled the door shut as they stepped into the hallway. A few feet away, Callum stood with another man outside a closed door, sporting the name Drew Masters in white paint. Fredrica rushed down the hall. “Where’s Lydia?”

Callum’s gaze slipped from his sister to Alyssa. “She wanted a moment alone with Drew, to convince him that declining her offer wasn’t in his best interest.”

“Uh oh.” The formerly bubbly woman looked apprehensive. “Seriously?”

The older man smiled tenderly at Fredrica. “My niece is very persuasive. She is a lawyer, after all. I’m sure Drew will see the mutual benefits of an arranged mating.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Alyssa barked louder and more aggressively than she ought to. But hearing another woman trying to lay claim to her mate was more than unsettling.

Callum sucked in a breath.

Fredrica stepped up and diplomatically performed the introductions. “Alyssa, this is Shaw. He’s the alpha of a nearby pack. Shaw, this is Alyssa. She’s—” Her tour guide stumbled over a title, likely unwilling to announce that Drew had a fated mate.

“A new pack member,” Callum supplied.

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