Page 54 of The Beta's Blind Date

Everyone whoops, hollers, and howls, clapping their hands and moving into their ranks as Wesley approaches us with Alpha Ben and his warriors. They go silent as soon as Wes is in front of them, all of them standing tall, their eyes on him, waiting for his orders. I glance at Ben’s warriors and notice a similar posture and respect from his people, although here and there throughout his ranks, there are individuals whose demeanor doesn’t match those around them.

It’s not surprising, though. While Ben is a strong and strict alpha, cleaning up his pack after his dad’s psychotic reign can’t be an easy task. I doubt three years has been enough time to fix that damage.

“The first race will begin in five minutes,” Wesley says, his deep, authoritative voice echoing over the pack grounds. “Finish whatever stretches you need to, then meet at the starting line for the sprints.”

“Yes, Alpha!” our warriors shout in unison.

The Amber Forest warriors nod, and with an extra look from Ben, the warriors at the front of their squad, their leaders, turn and face the rest of the group, leading them in stretches. I spot Ben’s younger brother, Oliver, among them, near the far left side, in the rank right after the squad leaders.

“I see your brother is moving up the ranks quickly,” I say as he and Wes approach Seb and me.

He smiles, looking over his shoulder to watch his brother. “He is,” he says, not attempting to hide his pride. “Being out from under our dad’s thumb has benefited all three of us.”

“How is Nicole?” Wesley asks. “I haven’t seen her or Alton since Haven and I visited the Vigne Della Luna vineyard in Paso Robles almost a year ago.”

“She’s great,” Ben says. “She’s expecting another pup.”

“Another?” Sebastian asks. “How many is that? Three now?”

Ben nods, and both he and Seb look at Wes. “Why are you both looking at me like that?” he asks. “I’m in no rush. I’m ready whenever Haven decides she’s ready. Which she’s not.”

“Has your brother found his mate yet?” Seb asks Ben.

“No, he’s only twenty.”

“And you?” Wes asks.

Ben frowns, his lips pursing. “Still searching and waiting for her.”

Wes claps him on the shoulder, a smile on his face even with Ben’s frustration. “Don’t give up hope. You’ll find her when you’re supposed to.”

Sebastian’s lips tip into a half smile at Wesley’s words, and I turn my focus back out over the field, hiding my face from them. I don’t need them to see the effect Wesley’s words have on me. I blow out a breath, my shoulders relaxing and my feet carrying me across the field and through the warriors making their way to the starting line.

The wolves from our pack and Ben’s mingle, chatting and stretching as they get ready for the races today. The alliance between us and the clear friendship, trust, and respect between Ben and Wesley have only been for the betterment of our two packs. Even with the stragglers left from Tiny Tim, and even though we’re gathered for a competition, the overall atmosphere is one of camaraderie.

That thought, though, is ruined when I reach the starting line.

“All the females on Date-To-Mate are desperate and will spread their legs for anyone who buys them even one drink,” a warrior from Amber Forest says, and the males around him laugh.

I stop in my tracks, ears perking up, attention caught.

“Take my date from last night,” he continues. “One glass of the most expensive wine from Vigne Della Luna, and she was on her knees, practically begging me to bring her back to the pack to fuck her. Easiest lay I’ve had in months.” Another of their warriors high-fives him, smirking. “Want her username?” he asks. “She was definitely worth the cost of the meal.”

A few of them nod, and my stomach clenches, my mouth going dry before he speaks.

His lip curls, and a cruel glint lights up his eyes. “It’s TearinItUp.”

Chapter 19

REID

Myfistsclench,andI’m moving across the field, launching myself at him and clocking him square in the jaw as soon as the words leave his mouth.

It doesn’t matter that I know he’s lying. It doesn’t matter that Taryn already told me how awful her date was last night or that I know nothing happened between them because I would have felt it if it had. All that matters is he’s talking about my girl.

Mine.

She. Is. Mine.

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