Page 43 of An Uncertain Claim

Chapter Twenty-One

Peyton

The doorbell rang, breaking up my discussion with Beth about childbirth and other pregnancy-related topics. I’d been soaking up as much information as I could, since these were things I knew nothing about and hadn’t expected to ever learn since I’d figured kids were not in my future.

“Open up! I smell Mama K’s apple pie!” Tanner yelled and rang the bell repeatedly.

Beth chuckled and stood, but Michael exited the den and waved her off with a wink as he walked to the door. “That boy,” she said with a fond smile and a shake of her head. “I swear, I’ve never met a wolf with more talent for sniffing out his favorite foods.”

I swallowed the last bite of my dessert and eyed the empty pie dish on the counter.Oops.

“Tanner,” Michael drawled as he opened the door. “We expected you last night. You just missed out on leftovers.”

Nathan’s Beta trudged inside looking like someone had died. It was probably a trick of the light, but when his eyes landed on my plate of crumbs, I was almost sure I saw a glimmer of tears before he blinked and it was gone. “I had perimeter duty,” he said morosely. “Then meetings with Nate all damn day. I—” Tanner stopped talking and inhaled slowly as his gaze flew back to my face, then dropped to my neck. “You’re in the second stage?” he asked, his brows rising in surprise.

I shifted my weight in my seat, feeling under the microscope, particularly because Tanner was fully aware that I didn’t intend to stick around. He was probably wondering why the hell I’d accepted Nathan’s second mark. Well, I was asking myself the same thing, so he’d have to get in line for the answer. My panther was more than happy though. She wanted me to preen and show it off.Since when are you such an exhibitionist?

Tanner blinked a couple of times and his mind seemed to wander for a second. “There you are. Don’t know how I missed it,” he mumbled. I assumed from his comments that he’d been searching for me through the pack link. He lowered his head and tilted it to the side in a show of submission, acknowledging and accepting my status as the pack’s Alpha female.

Feeling incredibly awkward, I squirmed. This wasn’t a position I’d aspired to, and I hadn’t had time to process it yet. For someone used to being alone, melting into the shadows, leaving no trace behind, adjusting to a leadership role within a pack would take some time. Not to mention being tied to every member of the pack through a mental link. My connection to the pack wasn’t as strong as Nathan’s, but as their Alpha female, I’d be able to get a sense of their emotions and physical state if I wanted to. And, if he and I progressed further, I’d be able to communicate with the enforcers telepathically.

Tanner had made his gesture just as Nathan entered the room and he walked over and put his hand on his Beta’s shoulder in a show of gratitude.

By accepting Nathan’s bite, I’d tossed myself into an overwhelming situation that I still needed time to process, so I’d been ignoring it all until I could find time to be alone and think. Now, the Silver Lake Beta was forcing me to face the facts before I was ready, and I was kind of pissed about it. However, he didn’t deserve the blame, so when he straightened, I just smiled appreciatively.

Tanner accepted the response, but Nathan’s gaze roamed over my face, and I had no doubt he saw right through my act. After giving his Beta’s shoulder another squeeze, Nathan made a beeline for me. Beth jumped to her feet and said something to Tanner about pie and left me alone with…my mate.

I rolled the term around in my mind, trying it on for size. True mates or not—and I still hadn’t decided whether I believed I had a true mate—we were mates, at the moment. Nathan’s big, warm hands cupped my face, and he tilted my head back to stare into my eyes. “I know it’s a lot,” he murmured. His silver pools were concerned, making me feel warmth in my heart and extremely hot and bothered in my core.

Nathan’s nostrils flared as the scent of my arousal reached his nose and he pressed our foreheads together. “I haven’t snuck a girl into my room since I was a teenager, but since I’m like a horny pup anytime I’m around you, I’m seriously considering it.” I snorted with laughter and one corner of his mouth tipped up. I started to say something back but the front door opening again distracted me. It sounded like several people bickering about something as they entered, and I tried to peek around Nathan to see. His hands tightened on my face, holding me in place and drawing my eyes back to his. “I forgot about tonight.”

My cat went on alert because of his concerned tone. I frowned, confused by his cryptic comment. “I’m going to assume you aren’t referring to the life-altering events that happened earlier,” I deadpanned.

Nathan didn’t take the bait, making my frown deepen. “Don’t think about the big picture right now. Just try to take it one minute at a time and dip your toe in the water, so to speak.”

“What are you—”

A female voice I didn’t recognize cut me off. “Alpha! You brought your mate!”

“I didn’t think you’d let our Alpha female out of the bedroom so soon.” That came from Asher and my eyes widened.

Emerald’s voice piped up next. “Yeah, Nate. Aren’t you going to introduce your mate to thewholepack?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm and Nathan’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t otherwise react to her jab.

Whole…Oh, I’m going to kill him.

“He’s exaggerating. Relax, baby. Breathe.” Nathan gave me another meaningful look before releasing my face. Before I could make a move one way or another, he dropped his arm around my shoulders and tucked me into his side before pivoting us around toward the room. The room that was quickly filling with people—all of them throwing me curious glances.

Dead. Man.

There were only about ten visitors in total, but to my introverted self, it might as well have been the whole pack. I had no issues with crowds; rather, I hated being the center of attention. So I plastered a smile on my face, projecting a laid-back attitude.

Asher separated from the group and smiled widely as he approached. He stopped in front of me and opened his arms to hug me, only to find himself dangling above the ground with Nathan’s hand wrapped around his neck. “Hands off,” the Alpha snarled.

“Nathan! Holy shit! Let him go!” I shouted as I tried to rush toward the enforcer.

Nathan’s arm tightened, keeping me glued to him, and my claws extended until suddenly Asher flew a few feet away, landing on four feet as a massive wolf with russet-colored fur. He flopped onto the ground, his shredded clothes beneath him, and rolled around while making a barking noise that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

“Asher Laurier! If you break one more thing in this house, you’re going to wake up a bald wolf the next time you close your eyes,” Beth threatened, bringing Asher to a speedy halt. He curled up at her feet and looked up at her with puppy-dog eyes. She huffed and rolled her eyes skyward before waving toward a hallway. “Go find something to wear in Nathan’s old room.” Asher trotted off down the hall, chuffing again, as if he were laughing.

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