Page 9 of Alpha's Claim

“I hate pack politics. I had to sit in on a lot of meetings with my mother dealing with that. She hated it too.” I shrugged, tilting my head at her a little. “Our pack is really built on mutual respect.”

“That’s pretty rare in the circles my family runs in.” She looked like it bothered her. I was glad- I wouldn’t know how to court her if she enjoyed that part of pack life. “It’s fine. I intend to change things when I’m Alpha.” I smiled at her.

“You absolutely will.”

After brunch concluded I walked her back to her car. It was important that we talk to our clans quickly considering the implications that came with two current or future Alphas being mates. Once I saw her off safely I got onto the road back to Schuylkill at a good pace. I couldn’t wait to talk to Yari and tell her everything I knew about Cora. She would be secretly thrilled even if she teased me about it.

She met me at the door of my house as I pulled up. I checked the clock and realized I’d been gone for longer than she probably expected me too. If I hadn’t been so preoccupied with the most gorgeous woman in the world I would have called, but I hadn’t even thought about it. When I got out of the car I saw the expression on her face change from a smirk to a genuine, beaming smile.

“You absolute disgrace.” She said, jumping up into my arms to hug me. “You found your mate?” She asked, and I nodded with a laugh.

“I did. It was amazing.” I said, putting her back down. “She is amazing. I can’t wait to get to know her. I can’t wait for all of us to get to know each other. She’s the next in line to become Alpha of her pack too, so we’re probably going to be doing a merger.”

“I always knew you’d attract a powerful woman. It’s the mommy issues.” Yari teased me and I shook my head at her in amusement. “Tell me everything! I want to know what she’s like, how she looks, the pack she belongs to- everything.” She said, and I nodded, heading into the house.

“She’s an Alpha in the making, I can tell. She said somehow her pack is trying to keep it old school and pass the line down to her son if she has one.”

“Ugh, gross.” Yari wrinkled her nose in distaste.

“I know. But she’s strong and I know she’ll take over someday. I can just tell it by how she talks. Nothing is going to get in her way.” I said, and judging by the look of amusement on my friend’s face I was smiling like an idiot again. “She’s not that much shorter than me. Her hair is long and, like, shiny black, her eyes are the most amazing green color I’ve ever seen, and she has a perfect body.”

“So she’s the most beautiful woman in the world, got it.” Yari teased again and I nodded. “People always say that about their mates.” My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. It was Cora and my heart jumped in my chest at the mere fact that she had sent me words on my phone. It was an address. A familiar one.

“I need to call her.” I pulled my phone up to my ear as I pressed the call button.

“Weston,” her voice sounded so pleased to hear from me.

“Quick question. Are you an Onyxfang?” I asked, tensing up as I geared up for her answer.

“Yes, I am. Why?” She asked.

“It’s complicated. Can you get out here? I’ll send you the address. It’s really important.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Chapter ten

Cora

Itwasn’tlonguntilI got to Weston’s place. He was outside of the house with a woman as I pulled up and parked. I didn’t know why it was so urgent but I could tell in Weston’s tone that something was wrong. As I got out of the car I glanced at the woman with him. The look on her face told me that she was mistrustful of me. Something I didn’t understand, but I also didn’t know their dynamic.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, walking over to him and taking his hand.

“Let’s go inside,” Weston said, and I nodded. He was so tense. His hand in my own was shaking slightly and I squeezed it reassuringly. Or I hoped it was. “This is my Beta, Yari Lupino. She’s going to hang out if that’s okay.”

“You’re upset,” the words came out in sounding more distressed than I meant them to. “What’s going on?” Something to do with my name, I thought. It had to be. That was the message that called me over to his home.

“It’s nothing you did.” He led me to the living room and sat me down on the plush couch. He sat down across from me on the coffee table. I couldn’t help but smile slightly at how casual it was. “I met your father yesterday.” My heart dropped at his tone. It took me a few seconds to connect that he was the Alpha my father had been speaking to when I was storming out of the house.

“Oh no. I heard part of the meeting- I didn’t know that was you.” I said softly, and he squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“I know. But the problem is that I’m your mate.” He said, choosing his words carefully.

“As if status matters.” Yari grumbled, glaring at me. But I nodded emphatically.

“She’s right, it doesn’t matter.” I agreed, leaning in toward him. I desperately wanted him to know that that was true. Status genuinely didn’t matter to me, it never had. And there was no way I would ever look down on him for coming from a smaller and less prestigious pack. “You’re my mate. That’s all that matters to me.”

“I believe you,” he replied quickly, his tone reassuring. “But I don’t think your dad is going to be happy about this at all. I spent like an hour with him and I can tell he thinks I’m basically subhuman in his opinion. It’s not going to make him happy that you and I are meant to be together.” I was silent for a moment, mulling it over. Weston gave me the space to find my words.

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