Page 25 of Wanted

Hell if I know it is, but I say it because I know that’s what’ll get Ms. Cynthia to focus on the situation and not on my mate status.

“I sensed it as soon as she walked in,” she finally replies. “Maybe you should speak with the seer of your pack. Your Alpha Queen,” she offers.

I grind my teeth together. “Chael and Reese are on their honeymoon,” I remind her.

“Well, I met her at the wedding, remember? And I know how sweet that Reese is. I doubt she would mind using her abilities if it meant helping your ma?—”

I narrow my eyes at her and she doesn’t finish that last word. Though, I still dislike the twinkle of laughter in her eyes. For the life of me, I can’t understand why certain members of mypack can’t fucking accept that I’m a beta without a mate and will forever remain so.

I forfeited my capacity to mate ever since I defied my father’s wishes and ended up losing my hearing as a consequence.

Besides, our Alpha Queen is already with child. She will birth the future alpha, and probably, lead beta, of the Nightwolf pack. There’s no need for me to mate.

“I will seek out the assistance of our Alpha Queen only if it becomes necessary,” I assure Ms. Cynthia.

I ignore the frown that casts on Ms. Cynthia’s face. I know it too well. She and her sister look too much alike.

“At any rate. I might not be a seer like your Alpha Queen, but I do know you need to get that Emery out of here. It might be a good idea to take her back to New Mexico with you. Nothing good will happen if she sticks around here too long.”

My fucking wolf groans in my head, making it known he agrees with Ms. Cynthia.

She’s right. She’s not a seer. Not in the same way Reese is, but Ms. Cynthia does have gifts from her mother’s lineage as a part witch. She can sense negative energy, has extremely great hearing and, at times, an excellent memory.

Taking Emery with me back to New Mexico wasn’t part of my plan.

You didn’t have a plan for her.

That fucking voice in my head reminds me.

No, with Emery, there was no plan. I saw a potential threat to her and simply reacted. Something I don’t normally do.

“I need more information before I leave,” I explain, probably more for myself than for Ms. Cynthia. I haven’t gotten anything solid on the Alliance, which was my purpose in coming here.

“Is Rafael’s Diner still open?” I ask.

The diner is another hotspot where lone wolves and some of the smaller packs in the state frequent. I need to go there to ask a few questions.

“Yes.” Ms. Cynthia nods. “Best place to get a stack of flapjacks in the state,” she says proudly.

The diner is about thirty minutes from here.

I nod. “Thank you.” I turn to leave but she takes my arm to get my attention.

Her dark-brown eyes turn sincere. “Take care of yourself,” she says.

“My responsibility is to protect my pack,” I remind her.

Her eyes move to the door. “What about you?”

I shift my body, removing my arm from her hold. “I don’t need protection.”

“Or a mate?” Her eyebrows lift.

“We’ll be heading out now. Thank you for your time.”

Ms. Cynthia’s shoulders shrink. “Chance?—”

I turn away from her, ultimately ending the conversation since her words are no use when I can’t read her lips. Ms. Cynthia is too much like her sister, Ms. Elsie, when they get an idea in their heads.

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