Page 5 of The Wolf's Mate

“Likewise, Thorne,” Ender says, but I’m still stuck on the fact this man—Thorne—called him Ender.

“Your name isn’t The Guardian?” My brow furrows, and both men turn to look at me with varying expressions. Thorne grins, and Ender looks bored.

“No. It’s more of a title,” he gives me a straight answer for once. I take it as a solid win.

Not one to be left out, Grass hurles himself at Thorne’s feet, growling low in the back of his throat. “Grass, stop.” I reach for my dog, but Thorne puts his hand up.

“It’s fine,” he assures and crouches down. Grass barks once, clearly uneasy, but then Thorne reaches out his hand. I’m about to tell him to be careful when he lets out his own low growl.

Grass’s body slowly relaxes. The menacing dog from mere seconds ago is now wagging his tail, licking Thorne’s outstretched hand. “We’re kindred spirits,” he says, as if I should understand.

For whatever reason, Ender seems satisfied by their interaction, and even though I hardly trust Ender, I trust Grass. He’s always looked out for me and is a good judge of character. So, if he likes this man, then so do I.

“So,” I say once Grass stops licking Thorne, “I take it you must be my new husband.”

It takes me a moment to realize Thorne is laughing. My face gets hot, warmth rushing into my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, my lady, but I’m afraid I’m already happily mated. I’m simply the greeting party because our King Alpha, your soon-to-be mate, had something come up. But he wanted to make sure someone was here upon your arrival.”

“How fucking kind,” I mumble under my breath. Good to know my betrothed is an ass who can’t even be bothered to show up to greet me himself.

Ender places a hand on my back. It almost feels like he’s comforting me until I realize he’s pushing me forward, toward the packhouse. “I’m afraid I can’t leave until I see your King Alpha. It’s part of the contract.”

Ender seems put off that he has to stay longer than necessary, but I’m not sure if that is him being rude or just his natural state.

“Of course. He’s running late, but we will meet him inside. If you’ll follow me.” Thorne doesn’t wait for us to respond. He turns on his heels and heads up the entryway.

“Let’s go meet your mate, shall we?” Ender offers his arm to me, which I take. Right now, he’s the only one keeping me upright.

Silently, we fall in line behind Thorne.

Chapter 3

Rip

Today, of all days, my cousin decides to defy my orders.

My patience runs thin. I’m on edge, and the wolves around me notice. Most of them are keeping their distance, not wanting to provoke my anger any more than Tallie already has. She’s one of the only people here who can push my boundaries and not end up with a slashed throat.

Though she’s testing that theory today.

Especially since I should be meeting the future Luna of our pack right now, but instead I’m waiting for my cousin to be dragged back into my office. Tallie’s a fast little thing and pulls out of the guard’s grasp. “I don’t need to be manhandled, Rip,” she growls.

“No, you need to be chained to your house so I don’t have to worry about you,” I snap.

“I’m not a child!”

“Then stop fucking acting like one.” The words come out harsher than I intend, and Tallie bristles, her head bowing slightly in subservience. Guilt washes over me, but only for a moment before I push it aside, filing it away for later.

Tallie doesn’t respond, but I didn’t expect her to. The few guards around us have the decency to pretend they don’t hear the fight between cousins. Still, this moment feels too personal to have my usual guards around me. “Leave us.”

None of the alphas hesitate. They bow, showing their respect, before breaking away from us. I don’t speak until I hear the alphas’ footsteps fade down the hall. “I needed you here today, not gallivanting through the forest with patrol. You could have been hurt by the Nephilim or rogues.”

Tallie brushes a stray curl off her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. She wears it down today, her long, dark brown hair falling in bouncy curls. “I was with a bunch of alphas. They wouldn’t let me get hurt, and, for the record, I can hold my own in a fight.”

Tallie then barrels over, pulling something out from her dress pocket. It takes me a moment to realize it’s the leather-bound journal I gifted to her on the Goddess’s Moon celebration.

“I went because of this.” She shoves the journal in my face, far too close for me to make out. “Oops, sorry.”

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