Page 37 of Sold to the Alpha Wolf

“Cheers, sweetness.” His grin gleamed in the low light.

“To what?” I smirked.

“To getting this back. To claiming our mate bond. To…this.”

My eyes burned, and I struggled through a swallow to keep myself from outright crying. This was a kindness I’d never known.

“Okay.” I raised my glass, clinking it against Jet’s. “I…I'm not sure if I’m going to wake up from this. If it’s all just a dream.”

Jet laughed, reaching across the table to take my hand. “I get that. But I’m here. It’s as real as it gets.”

I sighed, my heart swelling to damn near bursting. “All right, all right. Let’s eat before I look like an idiot for crying all over the place.”

Rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand, Jet just smiled, shaking his head. “You could never look like an idiot to me.”

“Damn it, Jet!” I sniffled. “I’m trying really hard to look cool here, and you’re being way too sweet. Go on, say something to distract me.”

His deep, sexy chuckle sang through the air, and then Jet’s eyes darkened as he raked his stare across me.

“Does mentioning that I’m going to fuck you until you pass out when we’re done here?”

I nearly choked on my wine, my thighs clenching as I recovered.

“Yes. Yes, it does.”

Giggling at him, I shook my head and then started in on the food, but then I stilled. “Or am I supposed to wait for you?”

“Dig in, sweetness. I’ll never make you wait for something you want.”

The comment was dripping with innuendo, and it further helped to get me feeling less emotional. I was, of course, quite horny now, but that seemed to be a permanent state with Jet around.

Shaking my head again, I cut a piece of the meat for myself and then looked up at Jet before taking a bite.

“So, why don’t you tell me more about what I can expect while I stuff my face?”

He chuckled again and offered me a nod. “Sure, okay. Well, you’ve likely already guessed that all the wolves here are fully pack-claimed. My ancestors, great greats way back, started the clan, and nearly all of the original families who joined with them are still a part of the pack.”

I hummed thoughtfully, which turned into a moan of enjoyment as I tasted the delicious venison and vegetables.

“Terrance took over the pack from the previous alpha. I was a child back then, so I don’t really remember what it was like before him.”

Jet scoffed. “The fact that he managed such a feat should be impressive, but I’m sure he fought dirty. I’d challenge him myself, take over the Collins pack to join it with the Edwards, if it wouldn’t cost so many lives to do so. Wolves are already running so thin.”

A reverberating sorrow threaded through both of us, meeting in the middle of our bond.

“I’d hoped it wasn’t so widespread. But it sounds like the Edwards are dealing with it too, then?”

Sobering, Jet took a quick sip of his wine. “Not just the Edwards. I’ve had scouts communicate with other packs. I have friends among the other alphas in surrounding territories. It’s rampant everywhere. Honestly, it’s probably the only reason Terrance thought you’d pass as a suitable trade. If you couldn’t be bred, we were supposed to just kill you, but if you could, it would be a decent boon to the pack.”

Looking down at the table, I shrugged lightly. “Just didn’t tell you about the no wolf part.”

“No.” Jet laughed sarcastically. “He didn’t know we’d met. Or that you were my mate, his dirty trick softened by the reality of our connection.”

More of what Jet had said clicked, and I realized that I’d never heard Terrance speak fondly of any other packs.

“You have other alphas who you’re friends with? That’s a surprise.”

Jet cocked his head. “Really? Well, I guess that makes sense, considering it’s Terrance. But yes. I’ve known several of them for years. We meet up somewhat regularly to update the others, keep the flow of information circulating, and, you know, drink. We do that a lot.”

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