Page 65 of Run Free

Kate gasped softly. “Mate? When did that happen? I assumed he was a potential mate since you brought him home, but you bonded already? I must have missed the announcement.”

“I don’t think Thomas has sent out the official announcement yet,” Clara said.

“Yeah, why is that exactly? And how much does that screw up our challenge period?” I asked. That question had been burning inside me since we arrived.

Thomas smirked. “It’s nothing personal. The mating challenges are archaic and, in my opinion, unnecessary, especially where true mates are concerned. A few months ago Kyle of Westin Pack, Sawyer of Longhorn, Tulok of the Alaskans, and Alphas from three other smaller packs banded together to formally petition for the abolishment of this ridiculous practice. In it we clearly stated that in the case of true mates, no announcements would be given until the issue was recognized and an agreed upon resolution put into place. The Grand Council is dragging its feet and have yet to respond.”

I grinned. “So no announcement means the likelihood of a challenge is very low then.”

“Non-existent,” Lily said. “They added a clause that no mating challenges would be accepted in regards to true mates, too. So basically, if anyone wants your pack position, there’s a formal process for that, but your mate would not be forced to take the winner should you be defeated. That choice would be hers.”

“Or his, if Clara were to be challenged,” Peyton added.

“True,” Ruby confirmed.

“So really, no disrespect intended on not making a formal announcement. When the standard four-month trial period ends I do plan to make it.”

I nodded. “I like that. I never was a fan of the mating challenges.”

“None of us are, and it’s time to change that,” Thomas said. “We’re also going after the abolishment of Alpha females. Kyle’s mate, Kelsey is an Alpha and has shown us that the stereotypes associated with female Alphas are false. They pose no more or less threat than their male counterparts. This is the twenty-first century and it’s time we start acting like it.”

“Wow, you’ve been busy, baby brother,” Clara said with pride.

“The mess with Sydney’s little sister really screwed with both of us,” Lily said.

Clara nodded, though I didn’t know what they were talking about. As if reading my mind, she turned to me. “Sydney was one of Thomas’s best friends and on-again, off-again girlfriend. Everyone thought they would mate as compatible mates. They’d been through the testing and had been approved by the Council and everything before Lily showed up. We all knew Lily, but she and Thomas hadn’t seen each other since they were kids.”

Lily snorted. “I didn’t handle things well when I found out, either.”

She shared a look with her mate and I suspected Lily had put Thomas through hell. I cringed, knowing I’d done the same to Clara.

“I don’t think anyone truly handles the mating call well. I’m just grateful Clara accepted me anyway,” I said. Lily laughed and nodded, raising her hand to wait for me to high-five her.

Clara just shook her head. “It was never a choice for me. I knew you were it the first moment I saw you. I’ll never understand why anyone would fight that. It’s a good, natural thing.”

Lily and I both laughed like kindred spirits.

“Whatever,” Peyton said. “I agree with Clara.”

“We’ll see about that when your turn comes,” Kate said, laughing too. “There’s nothing easy about bonding.”

“Anyway,” Clara huffed. “Back to the story. Sydney’s little sister challenged Lily for Thomas. She was confused and thought if she won she could give her place to Sydney.”

“It was awful. I don’t know what I would have done if we hadn’t talked her out of it,” Lily admitted.

“And I don’t think anyone should be put in that position, and a lot of other Alphas agree with me. So we’re fighting it,” Thomas said.

“Well, it’s really nice to meet you, Gage,” Wyatt said. “Kate and I need to be getting back to the diner, so we don’t draw any suspicion.”

“Thanks, man,” Thomas said, giving Wyatt a bro-hug as they said goodbye.

“If everything’s sorted, we should probably check in on my parents,” I said. It still seemed so surreal that they were here. I shouldn’t feel anything obligatory towards them, but I did. A part of me liked knowing they had missed me. In my mind previously, no one had cared if I’d stayed or left, but there was always a small piece of me that knew that was bullshit.

Clara said goodbye to her remaining siblings and I gave a quick wave as we got in the car and drove over to her parents’ house.

“Are you okay?” she asked before we got out of the car.

“Yeah. Sorry about that,” I said, feeling embarrassed about the way I’d behaved in front of everyone.

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