Page 9 of Drew

Turning away from his office window, the alpha faced Callum and Maddox, another pack member. He was unsure how long they had been standing in his doorway, but from Callum’s frown, he’d guess it had been a while.

After they’d left the gallery, they’d stopped at their favorite diner for a couple of rare steak sandwiches. Callum had flirted shamelessly with the waitress, a woman who, to Drew’s knowledge, hadn’t yet succumbed to the beta’s charms. Unlike Drew, who kept his conquests few, not to mention remote, Callum seemed to have friends-with-benefits relationships with at least three different women in town. His behavior with the waitress showed he was either looking to replace one of the original three or add a fourth to his usual menu. After reminding Callum that it was never a good idea to shit where you ate—advice that Callum had laughed at and then wholly ignored as he gave his number to the waitress—they’d ordered another meal for takeout, then dropped it off to an elderly pack member who wouldn’t be able to attend tonight’s run.

He’d dropped Callum off at home before heading to Wildlings to finish some paperwork while waiting for the pack to arrive. Owning the company often kept him swamped with paperwork and busy outside the workday, but being the pack's alpha extended his leadership and responsibilities to around the clock.

As a born alpha, he loved it.

When his father had announced his retirement, stepping down from alpha status in their pack, Drew had stepped up, claiming the pack as his own. Though he was a born alpha, another member could have challenged him for the position. The need to control guided one into that decision. In such a case, a fight would have ensued until one of them either backed down or one of them was dead. Luckily, no one had challenged Drew, but if they had, he would have fought to the death for this pack. They were his family, and he knew no one was better suited to lead them.

With Callum as his beta, there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish in both business and pack structure. Having Callum at his back was an honor and a privilege he appreciated. Having someone he could trust to carry out his commands and help ensure the pack's safety meant everything.

The sound of tires on asphalt, followed by the loud banging of the front door, alerted him that several of the pack members had arrived. Likely, they had assembled in the break room, but Drew hadn’t been in a rush to join them. Since Maddox had mated with one of their females, Fredrica, the two were late for everything. Nothing seemed as important as being in each other’s arms. Their sexual desire was always heavy in the air. Drew knew it was like that for newly mated couples, but not until meeting Alyssa had he fully understood. Getting her beneath him was absorbing his every thought.

The paperwork lay incomplete on his desk. Unable to focus, Drew wandered to the window and daydreamed about his mate. What exactly was she hiding? Where had she come from?

As the moon grew brighter in the sky, his musings swung to the carnal side of things. How would her artist’s fingers feel against his skin, soft and supple, careful and delicate? How would her dark hair look spilled across his pillow?

The sooner he could find out, the better.

But it would be late by the time the pack finished their run and likely just as late when the gallery closed. He wouldn’t be able to find the answers to his questions tonight. He wouldn’t be able to discover how good her lips tasted or how tight her pussy gripped him when she clenched with her release. He was desperate to scent the air after he’d imprinted on her and their scents mingled together, signifying their everlasting bond.

Unfortunately, tomorrow would have to be soon enough.

It felt like an eternity.

“Drew?” This time the call came from Maddox.

“Sorry.” With a shake of his head and a quickly drawn breath, Drew tried to put thoughts of his female aside and focus on his pack. “I suppose that your presence means everyone is gathered?”

Maddox pulled at his ear, a big grin on his face. “Yeah, sorry we’re late. Again.”

Approaching, Drew clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m not buying even an ounce of that apology.”

“Probably for the best since I’m really not sorry.” Maddox’s deep laugh carried down the hall. “What’s got you so distracted? Been calling you for over a minute. Is that girl from New York back in town?”

Drew had a few paramours scattered about, some he visited whenever he blew through their town, But Alyssa’s presence changed all that. Thoughts of other women had vanished when he met Alyssa. Everything and everyone paled in comparison. Former lovers ceased to exist.

Deciding to be honest with his pack member, Drew said on an exhale, “I’ve found my mate.”

Maddox stopped mid-stride, halting their progress. “Graham Shaw’s niece?”

Drew and Callum glanced at one another. Aside from Callum, no one knew about his meetings with Graham Shaw, an alpha from a neighboring pack. Shaw had suggested Drew mate his niece, Lydia. Drew didn’t want to discount what fate had in store for him, but it was his job as alpha to mate for prestige and to strengthen the pack. That’s why Alyssa posed such a unique problem. Her heritage was important and had the potential to ruin them before they’d even begun.

He’d entertained Shaw more than once and had given an arranged mating some serious consideration. However, fate wasn’t the only thing holding him back from his duty. Lydia sparked about as much heat in him as a dull autumn day.

“What?” Drew asked. “Where did you hear that?”

When he realized he’d overstepped, Maddox’s eyes widened. “Rumor has it you’re all set to mate Lydia.”

“Who the fuck said that?” Callum demanded.

Maddox tossed his hands defensively into the air, “Fredrica gets her hair cut over in Port Do. The stylist there is one of Shaw’s pack members.”

“Fucking Shaw, running his mouth,” Callum grumbled. “You would never mate his boring ass niece.”

Drew hid his smile. “I’d considered it.”

“You did not.” His beta studied him, the humor leaving his tone. “Tell me you’re making that up.”

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