Page 44 of Lost Mate

“I can deal with your delivery problem if you want,” Zeke suggested and cracked his knuckles.

Joe rolled his eyes. “If I let you anywhere near them, they’d never deliver to me again. The critters have got to eat.”

Ross chuckled. “Come help me, big man.”

“Why isn’t Cal in with Owen?” Dylan demanded. “He’s part of the alpha pair.”

“They won’t deal with Cal. Believe me, it’s not our choice.”

Ross looked at his mate. He could almost feel Dylan vibrating with anger.

“Alpha, we need to talk. Pack business. Now. Let Ross deal with your delivery issue. We need Zeke.”

Joe huffed out a breath. “I’ve just been disrespected, haven’t I?”

“You both have.” It was Dylan’s turn to crack his knuckles. “Get your mate back, alpha. It’s time we dealt with it. Zeke, be prepared for a very angry mate.”

“My favorite kind,” Zeke assured him.

“Okay.” Dylan shot them all a wicked grin and rubbed his hands. “Let’s put the visiting pack in their place.”

“They’ll never speak to me again,” Joe muttered.

“Do you care?” Ross asked.

Joe gave a slow blink. “You know what? I don’t think I do.” He seemed to zone out for a second. “Cal is on his way back. Eli, Niles, Milo too.”

Cal must have gone superwolf speed because he burst through the kitchen door five minutes later, naked, filthy, and demanding to know what was wrong.

“Dylan’s just pointed out I need to step up,” Joe said, throwing him clothes. Ross noticed with amusement it was the same green flannel shirt as he and Dylan wore. “Get dressed, alpha mate. We’ve got a packmate to rescue.”

Cal gave him the same wolfy grin that Dylan had. “You’re on!”

When he was dressed, Joe regarded them, his expression somber. “We’re all going in, including Ross. We’re pack.”

Ross had already decided he was going in anyway to protect his mate and pack. He wasn’t letting his mate step into potential danger without him. The delivery issue could be sorted later. He felt a warm wave roll from his mate.

I always want you by my side.

He smiled at Dylan. That was the right answer.

Joe took a deep breath. Let’s go.

Everyone, human and wolf, turned to stare at him.

He squinted at them. “What’s wrong?”

“You just sent an alpha instruction to the pack,” Dylan pointed out. “We all heard it.”

Joe shrugged. “I’m tired of being the play alpha to suit whatever crisis is happening. I’m either the alpha or I’m not.”

Cal nudged him. “About time.”

Ross grinned inwardly and tried sending a message to Zeke. And how freaked is Niles going to be when he realizes he got the alpha order too?

Zeke snorted out a laugh.

I heard that, Niles said sourly.

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