Page 147 of Freeing My Alpha

But before I can reel at Mason's declaration, Noah’s sarcastic tail wag gives me goosebumps. Noah’s nonchalance has the power to devastate anyone, but especially someone like Mason whose ego is his everything. I’m nervous it could throw Mason over the edge.

Yet Noah flicks his ear to the side, acting like he can’t process what he just heard. Uh-huh. My strongest Alphas. Sure.

As other Alphas show themselves behind Mason, my instincts kick back in with a whimper.

Lilian squeezes me as tightly as she can, wave after wave of her calming scent burning my eyes. “Shh, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

There's such a sharp fear at the base of her scent, no matter how much she's suppressing it for me. It's scaring me more.

But Noah looks completely unfazed. Not only looks, but feels unfazed. Actually, he’s calmer than he was when he arrived, as promised.

But we’re horrifically outnumbered. Why isn’t anyone else disturbed by this?

Noah's confidence relaxes everyone. He sits on his haunches, unthreatened but irritated. Mason takes it to heart, bristling until my teeth chatter.

Is this a fucking joke to you?! Some Alpha you are! Mason mindlinks.

No, it's just hilarious that you think my strongest Alpha is behind you. You've met my strongest Alpha, but you'll never admit it, Noah says.

I glance around, searching for this vital Alpha to be on our side. But who is he talking about? I don't think I've met Noah's strongest Alpha either.

Mason has no answers for me. His eyes flick from Noah, to my chosen family, to Celestial Couture’s elaborate front door, and back again.

Noah’s wolf shakes out his coat from head to tail. Okay, Hart. List your reasons for splitting, and be on your fucking way.

Mason’s twitching tail pushes a growl from Noah, but Mason doesn’t back down. His ferocious snarl stings in my chest. You really need a fucking list? How about stalking me, for starters? If I didn’t have a surveillance Alpha on my side, I wouldn’t even know why you put me on it.

And now I know exactly who let you slip past their watch today. First day as top Alpha of your Rogue pack, and you’re outing your own pack members for treason. Great start, Hart.

A few of the treasonous Alphas’ ears twitch, and Noah’s sarcastic tail wags again.

What else?

Noah would be darkly laughing in his human form, but I’m gritting my teeth. Stop provoking him! You’re freaking me out.

My mate shrinks with guilt, but Mason puffs his chest, thinking his scare tactics are finally working.

What else? We, the real Alphas, are taking charge over our inborn dominance again. We need somewhere Alphas can reign like the Goddess created us for. A habitat you failed to create. Mason stands as tall as he can. Here before you stand the Hart Alphas, exiting your pack for being absolutely unlivable for our Goddess-given rights.

Noah is surprisingly calm about this, rolling onto one hip and itching his ear with his back paw.

That’s gross.

We all wait for him to finish itching, Mason tensing by the second. Finally, Noah stands.

Go on, then. Leave. Why are you still here?

Mason hunches into a defensive prowl, and I stiffen in Lilian’s arms.

You’re going to allow this to happen? I ask Noah privately.

Yes. I don’t want him in our pack, or any other wolves that agree with him. This is great actually: I’m thinking he’s the root of our region’s Alpha domination cultist problem, but there’s no way they’ll survive as a pack on their own. All we’re doing right now is giving them the space to band together stronger. Noah’s fluffy chest expands by the second. This is the best alternative, as long as them leaving doesn’t mean they’ll now terrorize neighboring packs. He'll just have to remember who his Greenfield neighbor is.

With this thought, Noah towers over Mason, his fur bristling until he appears to hardly fit between the trees.

My hands grip Lilian so tightly that my fingers tingle. What are you going to do?

Tension ripples through the air, a complex mix of scents from beneath the front door giving off an overwhelming sense of doom.

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