Page 28 of The President

I listen in on his conversation and realize that the alpha went rogue, so the beta is now the designated alpha since no one else wanted to challenge him for the position. He relays that information and I head back downstairs to see that while I’ve been conversing with Warren, Stealth and Ogre have returned with the alpha.

“So, y’all figured you’d just come to Texas and settle in Zephyr Hills?” I ask the dethroned alpha.

“You can’t treat me like this! I’m an alpha from a well-known pack in the Pacific Northwest!” the alpha bellows, trying to push his alpha power through the room. I can feel it, it’s a tickle sensation but I’m sorry to say, he’s got nothing, power-wise on any of us at all.

“I can and am treating you and your son like this,” I sneer, my own alpha powers coating the room. Even my own brothers, who are alphas in their own rights, are fighting the pull to submit right now.

It’s good to show everyone who’s boss once in a while, my wolf decrees.

“You know that while it’s perfectly fine for a shifter to choose a mate, you donotfuck with fated mates,” I state, my tone conversational. “Y’all fucked with the wrong females, because Angie also happens to be a mate to one of my brothers. Not to mention, but your son terrifiedmy mateto the point she left her home and her only living relative. You may have been an alpha for your pack, but you’re not a god, for fuck’s sake! We’re your judges, jury, and executioners, Alpha Dawson. And that’s the last time you’ll hear that title, so you should revel in it because you’re not long for this side of the fucking grass.”

With a nod to Stealth and Chaos, I let them do their thing until both males are practically unconscious, gaping, bleeding wounds covering their bodies. When I’m positive that we’ll get nothing else from them, I move closer, allow my claws on both hands to extend through the nail beds and as my hands swipe across each of their throats, ripping through their jugulars. As they choke on their blood, I say, “You shoulda made better choices. Both of you. Your mistakes cost you your lives. Enjoy Hell.”

Despite my best efforts, I still manage to get coated in blood from the tip of my boots to the edge of my hairline. I strip down, thankful that I remembered to hang my cut on the hooks we have on the wall coming down the stairs, grab my boots since I’ll be able to clean them, and head up to my suite. I’ll miss those jeans, but it’s a small price to pay to ensure my Vivi breathes easy from here on out.

You have like, ten more pairs of that brand of jeans,my wolf jeers at me.You buy them in bulk, remember?

I really need to remember to cut my link to him when I’m doing my yearly shopping. We may be bonded, but sometimes, he’s a pain in my damn ass.

One hot shower later and I’m getting dressed in a fresh Henley, another pair of jeans, and my freshly cleaned boots. Thank the goddess for prospects, because I had to make sure the bathroom was cleaned up from the bloodbath it was after my stay in the stall.

“Time to get back to the girls,” Stealth says as I hit the common room. He and Chaos are both showered as well and apparently, just waiting on me.

“Yeah, good idea.”

“Everything worked out okay?” Warren asks. He hastily puts his hands up and says, “I know I can’t know the particulars, but you’re sure Vivi and Angie are in no danger from here on out, right?”

“They’re golden, Warren. We’ll see you guys tomorrow. Got a hot date with a beautiful mate at a Mexican restaurant.”

“Enjoy, Fox. And thanks for being the mate my daughter needed. Next to my own, she’s the most precious thing in my life. I know it might not have seemed like it with the deal the alpha put in place, but she truly is the reason I stayed after my mate died.”

“No worries, I know you were only obeying an alpha’s direct command, Warren,” I reply.

“Let’s ride,” Stealth says. “Need to make sure my mate is okay.”

I snicker then state, “Don’t have to say that twice, Brother.”

Epilogue

Vivienne

“I can’t believe you got all of these built so quickly,” I say to Fox as I put my books up on the shelves. One whole wall now has gorgeous bookshelves waiting to be filled. What I find absolutely phenomenal is they have the same color as the bedroom suite, a light gray that looks distressed.

“Prospects, babe,” he replies, grinning at me from his position on the bed. He brought my countless bags, and maybe even a few boxes, of books to our den and has let me ramble incessantly about how much fun I had.

The whole experience was out of this world and even the overt threat of Carter showing up ended up being just a blip on my radar by the time Fox and his brothers returned, we went to eat with several authors and quite a few readers. I didn’t ask what happened to him and don’t really care since Fox told me it had been handled.

“Does it make me a bad person that I don’t care what went on with Carter?” I ask as I open another bag then start shelving the books in series order.

“Babe, no matter how you feel about the situation, remember that your feelings are valid. Carter put you through hell, Vivi, mentally if nothing else. Now, you’re safe and secure, you’ve got an awesome mate, and a huge extended family at your back. Plus, your dad and your best friend are here.”

“Awesome mate, huh?” I tease, abandoning my current box and crawling up the bed so I’m sprawled across him.

“That was your takeaway from all I just said?” he asks, kissing me.

Once I’m able to breathe again, I say, “Well, yeah. Because youareawesome, Fox. Do you remember how Angie reacted when she first met you? It’s because when we were little, I told her what I wanted in a mate, down to hair color and everything.”

He reaches for me, and I sink into the depth of his arms. “How about I show you just how much you mean to me?”

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