Page 37 of Embraced By the Alpha Pack

As if summoning the sprite in question, she darts out the front door and pins us with her gaze. Her eyes blaze to life with the power of her wolf. Ethan’s anxiety feeding hers as she stares at us as we pull into the parking spot. Before Nic has the car in park, Ethan is out the door, scooping Grace up in his arms. Ambrose is standing at the door, watching over Grace while she tries to soothe Ethan.

“Good to see you Ambrose.” I extend my hand to him and we shake.

“Always good to see the calm, logical brother.” Ambrose rolls his eyes and glances at Ethan, then hitches his thumb over his shoulder. “Griffin is in rare form tonight. I honestly thought I was dealing with Ethan until now.” He motions to Ethan, still holding Grace as she giggles.

“What do you mean? Griffin usually is calm for all of this.” His statement has thrown me off.

“Come see for yourself.” I follow Ambrose in and Griffin seems irritated at whatever Dustin is saying.

“How’s things going?” I try to divert attention to me.

“Sucking donkey balls. Dustin doesn’t want both packs to unite because we’re a threat to him.” Griffin growls out, and that gets Grace’s attention as she walks in, holding both Ethan’s and Nic’s hands.

“Excuse me, what?” She releases their hands and stares Dustin down.

“For a leader to amass that kind of power can be deadly.” Dustin says plainly.

A menacing growl I have never heard before rips free from behind me. Grace is thrashing in Ethan’s arms, trying to get loose. “So it’s okay for you to have the biggest pack.” She screams at him as claws break free from her fingertips.

Dustin takes several steps back, seeing the state the Grace is in. “It’s only a matter of time before Ethan loses control.” I whisper as I walk towards Grace and go nose to nose with her. “Grace…” I whisper her name and reach out and stroke her cheek.

She stops thrashing, and her eyes flicker back to normal. “Hi Con. Dustin is being a dill hole.” Grace pouts as she looks up at me and I smile.

“It’s okay. He can agree to disagree all he wants. You are mated to the alphas from two packs. That fact will not change. If need be, the wolf council will get called in and he will be dealt with by the proper authority.”

“Let’s not be hasty, Conrad. I’m sure we can work something out..” Dustin’s stance changes immediately. He’s definitely afraid of the elders being called in because of him.

“What’s there to work out?” I turn, keeping Grace at my back. “I may not be as strong or dominant as my brothers, but I know pack law like the back of my hand. It dictates that when two packs share a Luna through mating, the packs merge. Historically, that’s how your pack got so big.” Smirking, I cross my arms over my chest, channeling Ethan the best I can.

Dustin visibly swallows, and before he can say anything, Nicolai steps forward. “I mean, if you want a war? Ambrose already swore his allegiance to the Moon Wolf. That means three large packs against yours if it comes down to it.” He laughs and shakes his head a bit. “It wouldn’t be the first time the Volkov pack exterminated another pack over territory.” Nic’s entire stance changes and he is as fearsome as the stories told about him and his bloodline.

Ethan chuckles behind me. “He’s a bloodthirsty fucker if left to his own devices. If Dustin is smart, he might want to reconsider his stance. The Volkov’s have the Kodak’s on their side. Trust me when I say you don’t want to piss a fucking bear off. The stories of Berserkers were written about them, fighting until they draw their last breath or the last enemy falls.” I hear Ethan kiss Grace’s temple. “You picked a worthy mate.”

Griffin and I share a look and watch Dustin, and he lowers his head. “Enjoy the celebration. Give your mothers my kindest regard.” Before he leaves, he drops to one knee before Grace and bares his throat to her alone. She stares at him for several moments before touching the crown of his head, dismissing him.

“Can we feed me now? I’m hungry.” Grace looks between the five of us, and Ambrose is the first to crack and start laughing.

“After you Luna.” He holds his arm out in invitation and she slips between Ethan and me, joining Ambrose. If it was anyone else, I would beat their ass. As far as allies go, you want Ambrose in your corner. He’s your friend in low places.

Chapter 22

Grace

- I See Red—Vella-

It’s been over a week since the meeting with Dustin and Ambrose and without telling my mates, I made arrangements for the elders to arrive. Ruby sits in my office with me as we peruse the lists of the betas from both packs.

“What do you know about the Volkov Betas?” I look at Ruby as I stare at the list of ten betas from Nicolai’s pack.

“Not much. I know they were handpicked by Nicolai’s father. He was savage and vicious and almost a tyrant in his prime. They were vetted in the harshest way possible. Their loyalty goes without question.” Ruby exhales roughly as she wipes a single tear from her cheek. “There were dark days in the middle of Uri’s reign. He ruled by force and blood, and he took no prisoners when creating a security team for his pack.”

Tilting my head in Ruby’s direction, I stare at her for several moments. “That’s an interesting fact I was unaware of.” Looking down at the papers before me.

“Luna?” Gia, one of my assistants, pops her head into the office. “The elders are here.” Her eyes dart around nervously. The scent of fear wafted into my office and I honestly don’t understand why she would be scared.

“Show them in please and get beverages for everyone as well.” I try to hold my tone, making sure it was even as possible. Knots started forming in my belly from nerves. I was about to be face to face with five of the most powerful wolves in all the packs.

Gia moves quickly and left the room in the blink of an eye. Looking back over at Ruby, she smiles and moves to stand behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders as the elders were led in.

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