Page 47 of Sold to the Alpha Wolf

Sean ducked his chin down, taking a step back.

“We live too separately. I’ve said as much for years, and this inability to mingle and the unfounded fear of mixing ‘diluted’ blood by breeding an omega without a wolf has diminished our numbers. It’s kept the gene pool closed, creating disease and declining fertility.”

Kenzie stepped forward, bowing her head before making eye contact with me to silently ask to speak. I nodded.

“Jet’s right. It’s science. We can’t be this disconnected from each other. Wolves live longer lives, so it’s been harder to track the patterns than in humans, but we need to diversify as well. It is more than likely, it’s downright proven, that wolfless shifters can mate and give birth to wolves.”

The room hummed with energy, and I stepped forward, keeping Senna at my side. I opened my mouth to speak, but a gaggle of messy voices cut in—frantic, defensive surges coming through the pack bond from the youngest members.

“Is that why she’s here? They gave her up because she has no wolf?”

“We can’t just take someone’s word for it. She could be barren like so many others.”

“We know nothing about this so-called magic. I don’t trust it. Or her!”

The pain burning through Senna at the words struck me like a fist across our bond. Her scent had charred, and unknowingly, she’d put a hand to her lower stomach. I could sense the swell of nausea, and looking over at her, there was a glossy sheen covering her eyes as she fought back tears. Oh, hell no.

“Enough!”

My voice boomed through the chamber, knocking each wolf to their knees as I thrust the command through the pack bond. I did it so rarely that I was met with wide, shocked eyes as I sneered down at the few who’d spoken up about my Senna.

“You will not speak about my mate like that.” Gasps sounded around us as I pulled Senna close, except, of course, from Kenzie, and I sighed. “Yes. She’s not just a breeding partner. She’s my mate.”

Pulling back on the command, the pack slowly got to their feet, and I hung my head slightly. Senna reached up, smoothing her hand across my cheek as she sensed how much I hated to do that.

“She’s a Völva, too. Isn’t she?” Kenzie smiled, nodding toward Senna.

I was lost in Senna’s beautiful sapphire eyes until she nodded and put a hand to my lips as I went to address the room again. “It’s my turn. Okay?”

I nodded, and Senna stepped forward, looking over the crowd. When she spoke, her voice was steady and even, but I felt every ounce of fear coursing through her.

“Hello, yes. I’m Jet’s mate, and I am a Völva.” Senna held up her hands as she saw the bubbling questions rising through the room. “We’re telling you this now because we only just figured it out. I didn’t know. Terrance—the other pack didn’t teach this. He kept no records of the past, and he punished anyone who went looking.”

At first, I was ready to launch in as alpha to get them to listen to her, to let her speak, but the pack collectively stilled, giving her their attention. Relief flooded through me, and I took my place at her side.

“I’ve never been properly pack claimed. That’s not how Terrance did things. So, please, believe me when I say that this is the first real home I’ve known in decades. I would never put you in jeopardy if I could avoid it. I want you all safe, informed about what’s going on.”

I met the eyes of each wolf there, sending my devotion through the bond.

“A lot is changing. And there’s more to come.” I sighed, my shoulders drooping as I lowered my head toward Senna. “Senna is pregnant. We don’t know who they’ll be, but the future of the pack is right here.”

Putting a hand to her stomach, Senna covered mine with her own, smiling. A rush of adoration and excitement swept through the space, and Kenzie clapped her hands together.

“I knew it!”

Everyone laughed, and I shook my head at her, rolling my eyes. “You did. You did. And yes, I’m going to be needing all your help with this.”

“Oh, I am so on it, Jet.” She smiled at Senna. “You’re in good hands. I promise.”

Kaiden put his hand on his sister’s shoulder, smiling and bowing his head toward Senna and me. I returned the gesture, grateful for the beaming joy I could sense from him.

“We’ll keep you both safe, Senna. You and the cub. Jet, you have us all at your side.”

With that, a chorus of voices sounded out through the expansive meeting chamber. Those closest to me—Kaiden, Geo and Orion, Grayson, and, of course, Kenzie—called out into the room with a pack vow.

“To the future of the Edwards Pack! We will serve and protect the child of the alpha!”

Cheers erupted, and Senna pulled me down the steps into the waiting arms of my pack—my family. We were scooped into the huddle, howls and cries of approval, and I could hardly stand the incredible feeling of being so swept up in celebrating my future cub.

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