Page 56 of The Alpha's Mystery

Tripp nods obediently. “Then what?”

Natalie resumes stroking my leg as my anxiety increases. If anyone tries to come between us, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my cool. Since I arrived in Grey Ridge I’ve been acting like a hormonal teenager. I understand why, now, but that doesn’t mean I can control it any better.

“We’re mated, so the question of whether to tell Chase or not is moot. He’s all mine, and nobody has broken any rules, so they have no say in the matter anymore.” Natalie flashes me a wicked smile, and I beam back at her. She’s sexy as hell.

“Yeah, I definitely need a woman that can kick my ass.” Tripp sounds envious as he watches our interaction, and I don’t blame him. She’s the perfect combination of sweet and strong. “But will they make you join a pack? Or take up some new role?”

Natalie shrugs, looking uncertain but unfazed. “They can try.”

I don’t like the sounds of that. Marie’s warning that they might not have my best interests at heart comes back to me. I won’t be making any rash decisions.

“At the end of the day, you don’t have to do what they say, Chase.” Natalie turns to look at me. “You’re not part of a pack. You’re not trying to run one. They have no power over you.”

While I want to find out more about this life, I don’t want it to cost me my old one.

“But you say your new brothers-in-law are solid guys? They’ll have your back.” Tripp is worried about what all of this means for me. It’s a lot of change and a lot of unknowns, something we’re not comfortable dealing in.

Hmm. I pause and shift in my seat, refusing to look in Natalie’s direction. “I probably should have been nicer to them,” I admit. “They’ll just have to get over it.” Natalie groans, shaking her head. Pulling into the car park outside Taaffe’s, I pull Natalie in for a kiss.

“You can be extra nice to me when we get home later,” she whispers against my lips. Tripp makes a gagging sound as he opens the door.

“Yeah, there’s no fucking way I’m working with you two, not if you’re going to carry on like this the entire time.” Tripp slides out, boots hitting the ground hard, and stretches while taking in the area around the bar, casually checking who’s around. “Have some consideration for those of us that are depressingly single.”

With a salute, he nods, wishing us luck without words, and strides into the bar. Van pulls in right behind us and he gives me a wave. We’re good to go.

I look Natalie over. She won’t complain, but her body is weak, the heat and our mating must have taken a toll on her. I don’t like how pale she looks.

“I know what you’re thinking, but I’m fine. Let’s get this done, then we’ll be free to do whatever we want. Like pack up all your stuff and move you into my place. Permanently.”

I like the sound of that. Hurrying to the lodge, I groan when I see Cooper and Rex already waiting outside. I had spotted cameras over the old gate when I came snooping here before; I guess this answers my question about whether they’re operational.

Leaning against the wall, they push to their feet as we approach.

“Sorry to drag you up here when you’ve other things on your mind.” Cooper makes it sound like we were asked to come here, rather than arriving on our own accord. I suppose he knew we’d turn up eventually. “Congratulations, by the way.” He tips his head politely at Natalie, and I appreciate the consideration he shows by not touching her. I suppose maybe he’s not the worst after all.

“No chance we can leave all this until tomorrow?” Natalie asks, pointing to her tousled hair and pulling at the casual jumper and leggings she’s wearing. I love that she looks like she just tumbled out of bed, but I can see her point.

“The council is anxious to make sure Chase doesn’t disappear into Lennox territory, never to be seen again. Sorry.”

Feeling her shame at how her family is seen by the council, so poorly they’re worried they’ll try to corrupt me, I pull her close to me and rub my hand up and down her back. “We’re staying for an hour. That’s it.”

I can feel Natalie’s relief. My little spitfire is running on empty. Rex says nothing, but I swear I see the corner of his mouth tip up in a smile when he sees Natalie’s mark clearly on display.

“You bit her.” With a small shake of his head, Rex narrows his eyes and stares out my mouth. He puts a hand to his unmarked neck and frowns. “Leah’s going to be unbearable now. I might need to get a tattoo.”

CHAPTER 42

NATALIE

Chase guides me into the boardroom with a hand resting reassuringly on the small of my back.

Once inside, he nods at the serious-looking group of shifters seated around the large oak table and pulls a seat out for me. There are four men and two women, all of whom study Chase like he’s about to shift into a wolf for the first time right before their eyes.

None of them look particularly delighted at the prospect.

Hayley grins at me as I sit and Chase lowers himself into the chair beside me. The silence in the room is oppressive, but Chase remains perfectly composed, resting his hands on the table in front of him and waiting for whatever this is to begin.

Blake clears his throat and stands, extending his hand toward Chase.

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