Page 30 of Alpha Hunt

I set her down, ignoring the way she glares at me balefully.

“I can’t believe you think this is funny, Law.” She turns her anger on our Alpha, who grins without remorse.

“This is what you signed up for, Stone. I warned you to think carefully.”

“Sure, but how could I have known that—”

“Stop.” I face her, a hand on her shoulder. She tries to pull away, but I hold firm. “We already had this discussion. I gave you your second chance.”

Her jaw juts out, and her eyes narrow, fire in their sky-colored depths. I wait for her to argue with me, but after a few seconds, she exhales. She turns away, quiet. It’s a loaded silence. I know what’s going on in her head. She’s thinking that she’s going to keep looking for a way out of this.

Not going to happen.

I stand there with her stiff at my side as the other males start trickling back into the clearing. Some look resentful at having lost the hunt, their eyes narrowing when they spot me with my prize. But most seem surprisingly accepting, even congratulatory.

Tarkin is the first to approach, clapping me on the back. “Well played, my friend. Casey’s a tough one to catch. But she’s a worthy mate. You’re a lucky man, Alpen.” The others echo his sentiment with nods and murmurs of agreement.

From her position beside me, Casey lets out an indignant huff. I can’t help enjoying her ongoing defiance. My wolf revels in having such a fierce female as a mate.

Gage appears eventually, joining us as we prepare to leave for the trip back to Steel Lakes. There’s a wry grin on his face as he takes in the scene. “I had my money on you from the start, Alpen,” he admits.

I meet his gaze evenly, silently appreciating the compliment. My skills served me well in tracking Casey, but something deeper had guided me to her by the end. A peculiar force I can’t quite put my finger on.

The trip back to our packlands passes without incident, though I’m acutely aware of the female at my side. I brace myself as we approach Steel Lakes, the cheers and laughter of our packmates reaching us before we even enter the town’s boundaries. Casey’s body is taut with tension beside me, her steps stiff as we move through the gates.

“Here they come!” It’s Cody, the kid who mans the front entrance. Chains rattle and metal clanks as he lowers the huge gate behind our small party.

A crowd has already formed in the square before the Gathering Hall, the air thick with barely contained excitement. I spot Sierra’s dark head in the throng, her hazel eyes sparkling as she takes in our approach. Savannah stands beside her, one arm looped casually through her sister’s as she rocks a stroller. The twins share a grin.

“Well, well!” Sierra calls out, her voice rich with amusement. “If it isn’t the happy couple!”

A chorus of whoops and hollers accompanies her words. Casey bristles, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

“Can it, Sierra,” she snaps, but there’s no real venom in her tone. I know she’s fond of the twins. There’s something protective in the way that she looks at them. Casey Stone may have a prickly exterior, but beneath it, she’s loyal, gentle, caring…good qualities.

Dr. Bea chuckles as she emerges from the crowd, shaking her head indulgently. “Now, now, dear. No need to be cross. This is a joyous occasion!”

“Joyous, my ass,” Casey mutters under her breath.

Ignoring her petulant grumblings, Jagger steps forward, his hands raised to settle the crowd. “Quiet,” he says, his voice cutting through the din. “Casey has had her mate chosen according to our traditions. Today, we will honor that.”

His words are met with a fresh wave of cheers and catcalls. Casey scowls fiercely, her cheeks flushing.

“This is bullshit,” she hisses at me from the corner of her mouth. “I never agreed to this farce.”

“You asked for the hunt,” I remind her evenly. “And I won you fairly.”

Although maybe I had just a little help…

A muscle tics in Casey’s jaw as she grinds her teeth, but she gives a terse nod of acceptance. For now.

I allow a faint smile to curve my lips as the pack presses in around us, everyone offering congratulations. Casey may be fighting this, but I have no intention of letting her wriggle free so easily.

She wanted the strongest mate the pack could offer. Well, she got him. I’ll just have to prove myself worthy of the title until she accepts it.

The challenge has been issued. And I never back down from a challenge.

“Are you ready?” a voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Callum standing beside me. There’s a group of shifters gathered around him, and I recognize the members of the beta council.

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