Page 47 of Destined Bear
“The staff and Seline,” Roman orders. “Arrest anyone from Stonecrest who is involved in this mutiny.”
Sputtering, Seline gawks at him. “W-what?”
The Stonecrest enforcers don’t need to be asked a second time as their Alpha climbs off the table and reclaims his seat.
Sheepishly, he eyes us. “Go find a change of clothes for Alpha Emeric,” he orders his remaining staff. “And get them fresh drinks.”
Reluctantly, Emeric shifts back into his human form as Seline is dragged away, howling just like Millie did. “You haven’t seen the last of me!”
“You have. We execute traitors in Stonecrest territory.” Roman takes a sip of his drink.
I shudder lightly at his flippant response.
One of the staff returns with a fresh change of clothes for my naked mate, and Emeric slips the clothes on.
Roman eyes us across the table. “I believe this settles the matter you came to discuss, Emeric. The rogue faction that attacked your pack was acting without my knowledge or consent. I've dealt with the perpetrators, and I'll ensure any remaining conspirators are located. You can consider this matter resolved officially.”
For a moment, I think that Roman might refuse, but he nods curtly. “That’s fair. We should take care of our own territories.”
“Well, if that’s everything, I think I’m going to head back home.” One of the Alphas in attendance tells us. “When Emeric called saying there was a territorial dispute that needed neutral witnesses, I didn't expect... this. It’s been… interesting.”
He heads off toward the door, whistling for his enforcers to follow him, and the other Alphas follow next, calling on their security teams, too.
Emeric and I are the last to leave.
Roman sees us out personally. “I am sorry this happened on my watch. I’ll keep a better eye on the comings and goings in my pack.”
“I think we all learned something.” Emeric shakes Roman’s hand, and we head back to the van with our group, exhaling in unison.
“Well, that could have gone much worse.” Alessa nudges me playfully. “Aren’t you glad I reminded you about the whistles?”
I flash her a sideways smile as Emeric squeezes in beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders to hold me close.
“It was never going to go wrong as long as Viv was guiding us,” Emeric says.
“Aw. Isn’t that the sweetest!” Alessa coos. “He almost forgets that he was going to mate with someone else a few months ago.”
I tense in tandem with Emeric. Why did Alessa have to ruin the moment?
CHAPTER 14
EMERIC
The tension between us depletes some by the time we reach home, but gauging by the exhausted expression on my mate’s face, Alessa’s jibe is still weighing on her.
We pile out of the van and head to the front door, but I steer Vivienne away from the enforcers toward the side of the house.
“I really want to check on Mom,” she tells me, looking nervously toward the house. “We’ve been gone for hours?—”
“And you will in a minute. The healers would have called with any change. You know that.”
Her shoulders sag in defeat. “You’re right. I’m really tired, Emeric.”
“Me too.” I tip her chin in my hand and tilt her head upward, forcing her eyes to meet mine. “But we need to discuss everything that happened with Ember Hollow.”
Her body stiffens at the mention of Brynn, and I swallow my regret. “I never wanted to mate with her, but you know the pack demands an heir.”
“You don’t have to explain it to me, Emeric.” She places her hand on my chest. “I know how this works.”
