Page 57 of Alpha Fate

I’m silent for a minute because I know he’s right. But I’m feeling torn in two directions. “It’ll have to wait.” I stand and hold the door open. “I’m going over there, Gage.” I gesture to the hallway outside. “Unless you want to hang around in here, waiting for my sister to get back?”

“Goddammit!” he mutters, brushing past me. He stops on the other side, standing as I lock the door behind me. Before I can hurry away, he grasps my arm. I stop and look up at him.

“This isn’t over, Savannah.”

“I know it isn’t.” I roll my lips together. “It’s just…on hold.” I pull away and make my way quickly down the corridor, knowing that I’ve probably said the wrong thing.

Gage Heller isn’t a man you put on hold.

Chapter 19

Gage

I stand there, my fists clenched, as I watch Savannah disappear in the direction that Casey just left in. A storm of emotions rages inside me – anger, frustration, jealousy…so much jealousy. I can practically feel my wolf ready to burst from my skin, ready to claim what is ours.

Not yet, though.

Everything about this thing between us is still so fragile. So tenuous. And yet, I feel a connection as strong as a steel cable.

Is it there for her, too? Or am I imagining it? Every time we meet, it seems like she does. I can’t believe she’s so eager to see that Edirn character after I risked everything to save her. Doesn’t she understand how I feel about her?

With a growl, I turn and stalk toward the garrison, intending to seek out Jagger in his office. I stop halfway, my wolf picking up his scent wafting from the canteen. It’s always like this when I’m on edge, the beast in me lurking just below the surface. My senses heighten.

As I enter the dining area, the noise and bustle hit me like a wall. People are laughing, eating, playing cards. So damn carefree while I’m ready to rip something apart.

I spot Jagger sitting in the back, his chin on his palm as he frowns over a pile of papers. As I approach, I recognize them as maps. He’s still looking for ways to find Wildview. It’s a promise he made to his mate, and Jagger Law is a man of his word.

He looks up and sees me, his eyes narrowing as he senses my agitation. “What’s up, Heller?”

“I want to make it official with Savannah,” I blurt out without preamble. “I’m on the mate list. I should be near the top by now. I know I qualify.” I feel eyes on me as my strident tone captures attention.

Tough shit. I’m tired of skulking around and hiding.

Jagger raises an eyebrow. “Why are you asking me? That’s between you and her.”

“Because you control the damn thing,” I snap. “Just push my name up and give me the go-ahead.”

Jagger leans back, shaking his head. “I always hated that fucking list.”

I pull up a chair and drop into it, looking at him across the table before continuing, “Of course you do. Because you never wanted to be on it.” I want to growl. It seems so fucking unfair that he literally fell over his mate when the rest of us have been patiently waiting our turn.

“Maybe I should just scrap the stupid thing. Let everyone sort their lives out for themselves,” he huffs, shuffling the pages on the surface in front of him.

“That’s not what I’m asking. It means something to the rest of us, Law. It’s the order of things. We rarely get females here. When we do, there’d be chaos if there wasn’t a list of those of us who’ve earned our right to approach them.”

“There’s always the hunt.” He lifts a brow.

“The hunt?” I scoff. “You’re kidding, right? That’s done on request. And she would have to ask you. Do you really think that Savannah is going to ask to be hunted down by a pack of wolves?”

Jesus, is he really that stupid?

“No. Obviously not.” He rubs his eyes. “Fuck. This Alpha gig is a lot more complicated than I realized.”

“Well, you’re in it now, so it’s time to face up.” I’m baiting him. He’s actually been doing a better job than I’d expected so far.

“Wind your neck in, Heller. Remember who you’re talking to,” he snaps.

“My apologies, Alpha. I won’t do it again.” I lower my eyes in a gesture of submission. I doubt he’s buying it, but it’s the thought that counts. I stay silent, waiting for him to continue.

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