Page 19 of Sold to the Alpha Wolf

The study was crammed full of wolves at present, and a supernatural hum echoed through my blood from tasting Senna. I need to get back to her. My entire body ached to be with her, to bury myself deep between her slick folds, and I was more than ready to end this meeting so that I could.

“Leon, she’s been gifted as a breeding omega. We’re at the least going to entertain that notion. She smells healthy and capable. If anything, you should be impressed by the way that she handled the excommunication. I’ve seen stronger wolves die outright.”

I was padding the truth, but I wasn’t outright lying. What’s more, I didn’t intend to keep Senna’s status as my mate hidden from them for much longer. I just wanted her to accept it as well. There was no point in telling them if she was going to run.

“Alpha,” MacKenzie’s voice slipped into the conversation gently, “she’ll need assessment from a proper healer. That strain can’t go without observation. Even if you have claimed her into the pack.”

My chair creaked as I stood up from my desk and walked toward the younger wolf. Were it not for Kenzie’s status as a healer, I’d be happy to have her on the battlefield with me or out on any hunt. She was as formidable a fighter as her brother and endlessly loyal.

“I trust your judgment, MacKenzie.” I put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “I just want to make sure she’s ready for that.”

Kenzie nodded, keeping her head lowered for a moment before looking back up at me with her striking ice-blue eyes, practically white.

“Of course, Jet. But you can rest assured, I’ll treat her well. She’ll have no reason to fear me. I…” Kenzie smiled to herself, glancing down at the floor briefly. “I like her. She smells…right. A good fit here.”

“Thank you, MacKenzie. Kaiden,” I turned from her toward Kenzie’s brother, “we still have the issue of…first beta.”

He stepped forward, bowing his head down in the recognition of our collective grief, still so damn fresh. Deacon was barely gone, and here we were, having to fill his position in the pack and welcome a new member.

I could understand my pack’s hesitance when it came to Senna, their anger over having to take her in and not be granted that revenge they all felt was more than deserved. They weren’t wrong. We did deserve it, but I had no way of knowing that Terrance’s fucking ploy would be with my mate. Hell, he hadn’t known.

“What would you have us do, Jet?” Kaiden’s voice was even as he straightened and tucked his long hair behind his ear.

“Gather the willing and able wolves of the pack. We will hold trials for the position of head beta. You, Grayson, ensure the traditions are upheld for each. I’ll need your assistance preparing everything.”

Grayson stepped up alongside Kaiden, nodding.

“Of course,” they echoed as one.

“You’re both welcome to participate. You are both esteemed members of the pack. I would be honored to have either of you at my side as lead beta.”

Grayson smirked, elbowing Kaiden playfully in the ribs. His humorous competitive edge dulled some of the lingering grief, and before I knew it, they were practically wrestling with each other in the study.

Kaiden was able to knock Grayson back, sending the tall man into the wall with a soft thud. Grayson shook his head, his blonde locks fluffing around him like a cloud as he grinned.

“Ugh, you two. Can we please chill it with the theatrics?” Kenzie scoffed at them, folding her arms over her chest.

The wave of connection I felt to them all, the normalcy of the moment, nearly brought me to my knees. I needed this more than I realized. I needed my family to be in better spirits, and we all desperately needed a break from the pain.

Gentle hoots filled the room as the wolves pumped each other up for the upcoming trials. There would be several participants, it seemed, and I couldn’t help but laugh at their exuberant display.

Clearing my throat to get their attention again, I held up my arms toward them, the fireplace at my back.

“Thank you, my pack, for trusting in my judgment. I haven’t led you astray, and I don’t plan on starting that now. You all are my family. Family comes first.”

Devotion resonated through the pack bond, and the heads before me all lowered before the chorus of preparations and excitement picked back up.

“Trials will begin in the morning, everyone,” I had to call out over the increasingly loud room. “Kaiden and Grayson, I expect everything to be ready at first light.”

“On it, Jet!” Grayson hollered as he scrambled with Kaiden against the sideboard.

Ugh, young idiots. But I felt better than I had in days. Deacon’s loss was still so fresh, but this helped to ease the ache. And Senna’s appearance could actually become the miracle I’d hoped for. With her in my pack, nothing was standing in the way of claiming her as my mate fully.

Except, of course, her distrust of me.

It was time to go back and check on her. We needed to have quite a conversation. I only hoped that—

A wave of energy swept through the room like a warm breeze, smelling like roses and almonds. Senna.

---