Page 2 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

A round of chuckles rippled through the group, and Asher raised an eyebrow. "Is that what's really bothering you? Being the last lone wolf standing?"

"Come on, Art," Rowan chimed in, a teasing glint in his eye. "We can't help it if we're more irresistible than you."

Articus rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Please, I could have my pick if I wanted. I'm just... selective."

"Selective?" Xander snorted, breaking his usual brooding silence. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"Hey, watch it," Articus shot back. "You only left the singles club recently. You shouldn't be talking."

Xander's eyes flashed with amusement. "Excuse me, but in case you need reminding, my child is the oldest. They say the patient dog eats the fattest bone. It appears I am the ‘fabled’ dog since I got a mate and heir in one move, so what does that say about you?"

Everyone laughed as the server brought over another round of drinks. Articus took a long gulp, hoping to drown out the unrelenting voice of the elders. The bar's dim light flickered, casting shadows across his face, mirroring the turmoil within him.

The table fell silent for a moment, with each Alpha lost in their own thoughts. Articus knew he'd have to explain everything soon, but for now, he was content to let the conversation flow naturally.

Blake, ever the peacekeeper, steered the discussion in a new direction. "Speaking of family situations, how's everyone doing? Callahan, I heard your little one just started shifting?"

Callahan's face lit up with pride. "Oh man, you should see him! He’s got this beautiful golden coat, just like his old man. It scared the living daylights out of us the first time, though. Thought he was having a seizure or something."

The group laughed, and Articus felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. This was why he loved these gatherings—the easy camaraderie, the shared experiences of leadership and pack life.

"What about you, Rowan?" Fannar asked. "How's the tech empire treating you these days?"

Rowan grinned, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "It's booming, actually. We've just launched a new app that's revolutionizing the way packs communicate across territories. You guys should check it out."

"Always the innovator," Asher remarked, a rare smile gracing his usually somber features. "Meanwhile, I'm still trying to convince my pack that email isn't witchcraft."

Another round of laughter echoed through the bar, drawing curious glances from other patrons. Articus looked around at his friends, a warmth spreading through his chest. Despite the weight of his responsibilities and the looming trip to the Annex Pack, he was grateful for these moments.

As the conversation continued, touching on Blake's diplomatic efforts to maintain pack unity and Fannar's latest expedition into the frozen peaks, Articus found himself relaxing. The worries about heirs and elders' expectations faded into the background, replaced by the comfort of friendship and shared experiences.

But he knew he couldn't avoid the topic forever. Taking a deep breath, Articus cleared his throat, drawing the attention of his fellow Alphas.

"Listen, guys," he began, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "There's something I need to tell you about. It's about the Annex pack. They aren’t just another pack. It’s a legacy from a time when things were... different.”

A heavy silence fell over the group. They all knew the history and the reasons behind the Annex Pack's existence, but it was rarely discussed. It was a part of their past that they preferred to keep in the shadows.

"The Annex pack," Callahan murmured, his usual cheerfulness subdued. "It's been years since any of us have even mentioned them."

Articus nodded, feeling the weight of history pressing down on him. "I know. But I think it's time we talked about it. About why they're there and what it means for all of us."

He took a deep breath, preparing to delve into a story that stretched back generations. "Long ago, before any of us were born, our packs faced a problem. Rogues—wolves who had broken pack law or turned feral—were becoming a growing threat. The decision was made to banish them, to send them over the mountains to what we called 'the Dark Side'."

The others listened intently, even though they knew parts of this history. It was different hearing it now, as adults, as Alphas responsible for their own packs. Articus knew more than the rest of them since his pack was in charge of keeping the rogues out.

"The Dark Side of the mountain," Asher mused, his black eyes reflecting the dim light of the bar. "Where the sun doesn't shine. A fitting place for the outcasts. Harsh, snowy, cold, and isolated. So, the Dark Side of the mountain still serves its purpose. What’s the impact of having an Alpha over there?""

"Well, at first, it was just a place to send the rogues, to keep them away from our territories,” Articus continued, his voice low but steady. “But as time went on, their numbers grew. They became more organized and more dangerous. That's when my ancestors made a decision that would change everything."

He paused, looking around at his friends. Their faces were a mix of curiosity and apprehension, knowing that this story was leading to something significant.

"My pack, the White Moon, has always lived on the border of the mountains. We were the first line of defense against any threats from the Dark Side. But it wasn't enough. The rogues were getting bolder, finding ways to slip past our defenses."

Rowan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and Articus felt a pang of guilt. He knew this part of the story touched on a painful memory for his friend.

I wish it didn’t happen to you, my friend.

"So, my great-great-grandfather made a choice. He sent his second son, along with a group of our strongest warriors, over the mountain. Not as exiles but as guardians. They formed what we now call the Annex pack."

---