Page 1 of Wolf Traded
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“No,” I growl at the desperate female following behind me.
“Alpha,” she whimpers. “I can be of use to you. I can pose as your new mate.”
“Rochelle, I plan to find a mate in Grayson’s pack at the ceremony. You’re not needed.” I don’t even turn to her. I know she’s probably angry, but I can’t bring myself to care. If I care, I look weak and that is something I refuse to do.
It took years to cultivate my reputation as the most ruthless and brutal alpha in the region and I will not let one tiny woman with delusions of being the alpha female of my pack take that away from me.
“Run along, Rochelle.” Angela, my beta, grins wiggling her fingers at the other woman and a growl sounds from behind me.
“Do you always have to antagonize people? Just because you’re beta doesn’t mean you have to be a dick.” I continue my quick pace through the forest. Grayson’s territory backs up against my own so it isn’t far of a run.
“You’re alpha and you’re always a dick.” She shrugs. I grin. Angela is the only one who can get away with talking to me like that and only when no one is around.
“I have to be. You know that.” I sigh out in aggravation as we move through the dense forest. All goes quiet as if the animals sense the predators in their midst. Good, because we are predators.
“Fair enough. Are we walking or shifting?” Angela asks changing the subject, thankfully. My mind is clouded. The anxiety within me making me angrier than normal. What if I can’t find someone worthy of the title of alpha female of the Everette pack?
With a mental shake, I banish all insecurities. I’m the strongest most ruthless alpha in the region. I will find a worthy mate. There is no other option.
“Let’s walk. I don’t want to freak out their pack by showing up in wolf form. We have business and diplomacy to worry about.”
Angela nods and we trudge across the pack lands our backpacks slung over our shoulders.
The sun climbs higher the longer we walk through the bright forest teeming with life. Bushes with bright red berries dot the underbrush next to the path. It’s almost soothing walking through the dense forest but I know better than to let my guard down.
“How are you planning on finding a mate?” Angela asks eyeing me with skepticism.
I shrug and kick a rock down the path. “I don’t know. I figured I would walk around town for awhile until I figure something out.”
“Seriously? That’s your plan?” She rolls her eyes.
“You have a better plan? I’d love to hear it.” I grumble back at her with irritation.
“Nope,” she says popping the end and it just angers me more.
“Then why did you…? You know what never mind.” I huff. There’s no point in arguing with her when she’s in a snarky mood like this. It makes more sense to just ignore her.
“Awww, don’t be all broody and grumpy now. I was just asking a question.”
“You of all people know the importance of this plan. I can not appear weak at the summit. If I do not bring my mate I will appear to be weak and irresponsible. There will be no peace because they will bring war to us.”
Everything I do is to keep the peace. Despite my reputation, my pack is my family and I would protect them with my dying breath if it came down to it but I refuse to do that unless absolutely necessary which is why I’m going to the mating ceremony to look for a mate and strengthen the ties between our packs.
“I know. You will figure it out though.” Her confidence and respect mean a lot but I can’t show any of that. I grunt a response and she shakes her head just as we break through the trees into the little village that is home to Grayson’s pack.
“You have a leaf in your hair.” I smirk pulling it out of her long blonde ponytail.
“You are always such an ass.” She rolls her eyes.
“I got it out, didn’t I? I could have left it there.”
“You know I would get you back for that. Don’t test me, Alpha.” She points her finger in my face but she is grinning.
The little town is quaint with the pack house being at one end much bigger than anything else in town. It’s a huge brick building with a well manicured lawn. I remember the last time I was here three years ago when Grayson’s father stepped down as alpha and we were all invited to the alpha ceremony.
