Page 55 of Wulf's Pack
The pack lives just beyond the edges of Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They run a small tourist town that features outdoor activities. The alpha’s home is a couple miles from town, deep in the woods. When we get there, I can see hints of a lake back behind the house.
The house is a large, two-story log cabin. It has a wrap-around porch with two rocking chairs and a swing. Flower boxes filled with bright-colored flowers sit beneath the windows, giving it aBetter Homes and Gardensfeel. It’s everything I’d expect from a pack house. I think of my home. It’s nothing like this. This is what a wolf’s home is supposed to be. I only let insecurity plague me for a second before I remind myself that the city requires different living conditions.Differentdoesn’t mean wrong or bad.
As soon as we pull up in the drive, a man and woman step out onto the porch, arms wrapped around each other’s waists. Thealpha pair. I turn off the car and take a deep breath. “No matter what,” I say urgently, meeting each of my pack’s gazes, “don’t let me challenge the alpha. I don’t care what you have to do. Tackle me, knock me out, blitz me to high heaven with your omega power. Anything. Just don’t let me challenge him. I do not want to take over his pack.”
My wolf stirs in my head at the thought, but I shout at him and try to shove him down deep.NO!
My wolf huffs, but settles down enough that I feel it’s okay to get out of the car. Skylar reaches over and takes my hand. Some of her calming influence spreads over me. “You’ll be fine, Wulf. I’ll stay by your side. Benjamin and Isabella will watch out for you too.”
I wish I had her confidence. I take a deep breath and shake out my nerves. The alpha pair is waiting patiently on the porch. They’re smiling. Friendly. Inviting. Curious. I won’t repay their kindness with a challenge.I won’t.
We get out of the car, and Skylar is at my side in an instant, holding my hand before we reach the front steps. The physical connection works wonders for my nerves. Alpha Grant comes down the steps to greet us, offering a smile and a hearty handshake. “Mr. Winters, it’s an honor to have you here.”
“Thank you for agreeing to see us.”
“Of course.” He shakes Skylar’s hand next. “Omegas are rare. It’s a treat to meet another one.”
Skylar only answers with a blushing smile.
Luna Grant waves us all toward the house. “Come in, come in.”
The lodge is beautiful. The front living room is huge with a lot of seating. It’s set up more like a community lounge than a private home. It’s warm and inviting.
Once inside, Luna Grant greets Isabella with a fierce hug. “It’s so good to see you again. When we got your call, I about died. I’m so happy you’re both safe.”
Alpha Grant gives Benjamin a quick hug with a firm pat on the back. “We’d heard the rumors you’d both gone feral. We assumed you were both killed.”
“We were feral. We were taken and placed in an underground fighting ring.” He gestures to Skylar and me. “These guys rescued us, and Luna Skylar was able to cure us of the madness. We owe them our lives.”
I quickly shake my head. “It was all Skylar. I was just along for the ride.”
Alpha Grant guides us into the living room, and we’re all able to take seats around a large coffee table. We sit, facing the alpha pair. Once settled, Alpha Grant gets right to the point. “So what can we do for you? You said you’re looking for advice? What seems to be the problem?”
I hesitate. It goes against instinct to admit weakness, especially to another strong alpha. And Alpha Grant is so close to my dominance level we’d have to fight to determine who ranks higher than the other. But he’s older and wiser and probably much better trained than me. I might not win against him. I’m pretty sure that’s the only reason my wolf isn’t demanding I challenge him right now.
“Anything you say will be kept in confidence,” Alpha Grant promises, having guessed the reason for my hesitation.
I run a hand through my hair and let out a breath. Skylar gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We need his help,” she reminds me. “It’s the whole reason we came.”
She’s right, of course.
Resisting the urge to slump my shoulders or sigh, I meet the Alpha’s curious stare. “It’s my wolf,” I admit. “I keep losing control of him.”
Alpha Grant’s brow furrows. “Losing control how?”
“He keeps claiming pack members without my permission, or theirs.”
Now his brows climb his forehead. This isn’t what he’d been expecting. “You’ve started a pack?”
Of course he’s surprised by this. My fame and reputation have reached the entire country. Everyone knows I’m a lone wolf who’s part of a clan rather than a pack. I’m sure it’ll be all over the tabloids once the media gets wind of it. If they haven’t already. Reporters will be demanding interviews. I’ll likely get protesters outside my place too.
I nod. “More than fifty years as a lone wolf—by choice, not circumstance—then I meet my mate, and suddenly I’m claiming shifters left and right. I’m up to twelve now.”
Alpha Grant nods slowly, lips pursed and eyes narrowed in thought. His gaze slides to Skylar. “Twelve isn’t that many.”
“It’s been four days,” I say flatly. “And only Skylar was by choice.”
“What do you mean by that, exactly?”
