Page 41 of An Alpha's Commitment

"Are you happy here, Agel? In our pack, I mean?"

"Oh, yes, Alpha. Very much. It's a wonderful pack. Everyone has been welcoming and yes, I like it here a lot."

"I'm pleased to hear it. Because I was thinking that if you were planning on staying, it might be time to delegate some leadership activities to you... what do you think?"

"Oh!" he looked dumbfounded.

I hesitated. "Are you planning on staying with us, Agel?"

"If... if I- Ican,y-yes, I'd like that, Alpha," he was having trouble finding his words. His eyebrows had risen high on his forehead, eyes so wide I could see the whites of his eyes. I'd swear he hadn't seen this coming.

"Good. Johnson and I have been discussing getting you to help him out with some of his tasks. You can learn how he does things and be his backup if it works out. How does that sound?"

"Alpha... I'm honored," Agel blinked rapidly, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened. "That would be... amazing."

A few lines I hadn't taken note of before disappeared from his face, softening his features. He had been feeling insecure.

"Can you get everyone organized for the run then, please? We'll start just as soon as I've spoken to Darius and his mage." I inclined my head in their direction to show him who I meant.

"Y-yes, Alpha," he nodded.

"Thank you... Agelius."

The young alpha smiled, straightened his shoulders and hurried off to complete his first leadership task.

"That was a good thing to do and it'll do wonders for his confidence." I'd forgotten Johnson was still standing there. "And he's well liked by the pack. He'll do well. He'll be an asset to the pack."

"I think so. I'm going to talk to these guys now and then we can get started. You'll be second for the run tonight?"

"Of course."

I left Johnson and made my way over to where Darius and Xeres were watching the activity.

"Thank you," I said simply, addressing Xeres. "I can't tell you how much this means to me, to all three of us."

He dipped his hooded head solemnly in acknowledgement of my words, but said nothing.

"Did you know...? That we'd form a three-way telepathic bond?" I asked him.

After a brief pause, he waggled his head sideways.

"Wasn't sure," he admitted. "Thought it might."

I turned to Darius and opened my mouth to speak.

"Oof!" yelped Xeres, and I was surprised to see him staggering under the weight of an enthusiastic Irian, who had crashed into him and was hugging him madly.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Irian enthused, bouncing and dragging the mage around with him.

"Get off me!" protested Xeres, his aura of solemnity and mystery totally disregarded by the irrepressible Irian.

The two of them began bickering while Isca, who had also materialized here, watched in surprise.

I turned back to Darius who was having a hard time stopping himself from laughing out loud. The corners of his lips were twitching as he struggled and his eyes twinkled.

"Xeres really is amazing," I said. "Not only did he successfully complete the mating bond, with a mind bond between Isca and myself, but he somehow managed to link Irian in as well!"

"I told you he was good," chided Darius, his eyes still on Irian and Xeres mucking around like adolescents. Then his brows drew together and down, his eyes losing their merriment as he frowned. "I just haven't figured out why he's stayed with our pack this long."

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