Page 2 of Embraced By the Alpha Pack

Hesitantly, I reach out and touch his neck. “Thank you for understanding. I appreciate your offer.” Drawing in a deep breath, I step away from Ethan. I glance over at Griffin and smile. “If everyone will follow Griffin, we shall reconvene in the reception hall after I am properly dressed.”

Extending a hand out, I reach for Ruby, and loop arms with her and Andrea and head into the pack house we were using as our base of command for today. “Girrrrrl…” Andrea races ahead and stops me shortly after getting into the suite. “You have all of those alphas wrapped around your finger. Save some for me.” She smiles playfully as she pulls out one of my favorite pairs of apple bottom jeans and a fitted tee-shirt that says rabid on it.

Laughing, I take the selection from her and dart into the bathroom. “Ruby, tell me about Nicolai if you can.” My curiosity is piqued about mystery mate number five.

“His father and my mate were best friends for a very long time. They both fought in the rogue wars thirty years ago. Nicolai was present for my son’s christening. I believe he was eight years old at the time.” Ruby’s tone takes on that dreamy quality to it, and I know she’s reliving a memory.

“I found him.” Andrea shouts, and as I open the bathroom door, she shoves her phone in my face. His social media page has him holding a little girl about the same age as my daughter. The little girl’s name is Nina, apparently. Several posts back, it has an announcement of her birth and the death of the mother. Part of me is angry he left his daughter behind. And the other part understands.

“Let’s get this shit show on the road.” I walk into the other room and take my daughter back from the babysitter. If he’s interested in me, he needs to know about Ashina.

Chapter 2

Grace

- Bad Guy—Billy Eilish-

Holding my daughter to my chest is about the only thing that will probably keep me from losing my temper. We cross the expanse of the yard and Derrick rushes over to escort us the rest of the way. He whispers in my ears minor facts about the alphas that have gathered to meet me. It’s interesting how much the betas can find out in a short period of time.

Derrick goes first and opens the door to the reception hall, and the chatter stops. You can hear a pin drop as I step into the room. The thuds of my doc’s hitting the floor and the coos of my daughter are the only thing you can hear. The one named Nicolai stops dead, then motions to his beta, and he leaves immediately. “Everything didn’t have to stop because I arrived.”

I smile as Ambrose approaches touches Ashina’s cheek. “She’s grown so much.” There’s a fondness in his voice as he reaches out and plucks her from my arms. “Don’t worry pup, Uncle Ambrose knows where all the rare steak is.” Ashina’s eyes light up the minute he mentions food and giggles.

Barrett scoots up and wraps an arm around me. Leaning in, I sniff his neck and I can smell he’s uncomfortable. “I’ve got you cutie, no worries.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.

“I know you do. There are too many alphas in one place, and fights break out when they gather.” Barrett exposes what the root of his fear is, and I smile.

“I’ve got this.” Closing my eyes, I dig deep into the Luna lessons that Ruby had given me and blanket the hall in a sense of calm and peace. I know the others felt what I did because the men fell silent again. Barrett whispers a thank you and kisses my cheek before seeking Conrad out.

For show I snuggle up against Griffin and look at the two alphas he’s talking to. “Grace, the alpha on the right is Dustin. He has the largest pack in the area. And you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting James.”

Griffin introduces both alphas to me, and I smile back at them. “The pleasure is all mine, gentlemen.” I keep my hands on Griffin so that the men can’t try to touch me without my permission.

“Sorry for the misunderstanding, Luna.” James apologizes, and it rings with honesty. He actually means what he’s saying. These extra wolf senses are coming in handy.

“Please don’t allow it to happen again. I may not be able to stop myself next time.” My eyes flash with the power of my wolf and it causes Griffin to growl at me.

“Grace…” His voice holds a warning to it and my wolf wants to smirk at him if she could. She knows we are stronger than he is, and we suspect he knows it, too.

Tilting my head to the side, I look up at Griffin and arch a brow at him. I know better than to go against him in public, but his attempt at dominance is grating on my nerves. “Yes, love?” I force my tone to be sweet and loving even through every fiber of my being wants to rail against him.

Griffin nuzzles the side of my neck, then nips it as if to put me in my place. Gritting my teeth hard, I try not to react to his bite. It angered me. He’s flexing his alpha muscles in front of the others. “Be a good girl and go check on Conrad and see who he’s talking to.” Griffin gives me an out and I excuse myself immediately.

It doesn’t take long to find Conrad holding Barrett as he talks to another Alpha and Ambrose. I’m a mated female in the middle of a sausage fest. What a torturous turn of events. Andrea, on the other hand, appears to be having the time of her life flittering around the room. “Hey sweetness, come to hang out with us for a bit?” Conrad’s smile is infectious as he takes Ashina back from Ambrose and starts rocking her to sleep.

“Yes, Griff asked me to see how everyone is doing.” Turning to the alpha, I don’t know. I smile briefly. “Thank you for being here today.” I immediately snuggle myself against Conrad, not giving the male the chance to touch me.

“Pleasures all mine Luna. My name is Tristan Poe. We have one of the smaller packs in the area.” He bows his head slightly, then bares his throat to me.

Reaching out, I touch his neck and smile before withdrawing my hand. “I’m sorry the festivities were scaled back. We had a bit of an unexpected situation pop up.” Honesty seems to work the best with the alphas, and Tristan is no exception.

My statement earns a hearty chuckle from Tristan, and he smiles, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen a she wolf run from a mate before. That was one for the history books.”

Barrett whines at his statement, and I pull him away from Conrad and snuggle him to me. “I’m happy with the way my family is as it sits now. I was not expecting another male to join the fray.” I nuzzle my daughter and breathe in her scent, trying to calm myself as I take her back from Conrad. “If you’ll please excuse me.” I dip my head to Ambrose and Tristan before walking off with my daughter, and Barrett plastered to my side.

A wayward, rust-colored puppy comes running through the crowd and Ashina wiggles free and shifts. She and the newcomer start playing and roughhousing on the floor with each other. The pup has a floral scent to it and I know it’s not from my pack. It’s not long after the tiny terrors invasion does Ruby and another older woman come running in. “Anyone see a puppy coming running through here?” Ruby says, looking exasperated.

“It’s over here Mom.” I yell across the room at her.

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