Page 30 of Love Bites

Brie smiled at Max and held out her hand. This wolf she knew more than the rest because of his position in the Pack. “It’s good to see you, Max. The council still going well?”

Max took her hand and kissed her inner wrist like he’d done so many times before then froze, pulling back quickly.

Brie froze as well, aware each person in the room hadn’t moved or even dared to breathe. A low rumble came from Gideon, and she cursed at herself. Damn it, she was already ruining this mating thing, and she hadn’t even started it yet. She quickly sat back and, without thinking, leaned into Gideon’s thigh. Her wolf relaxed at the contact, and she felt her mate calm. He put his hand on her shoulder, and her wolf preened at the attention.

It would have been nice, however, if the man would speak.

Just one word would be nice at this point.

Max cleared his throat, his eyes downcast. “Uh yeah, the council is going well.” He quickly shot everyone a look, his neck turning red. “Brie’s not a council member, but since her cousin is, as are a few of her friends, she helps out. Hence the reason why we know each other.” He looked at Gideon, his eyes still down. “I didn’t mean anything by the kiss. I promise. It’s just habit. It won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t,” Gideon growled out.

Brie wanted to smack him for his rudeness just then, but instead, she warmed at the possessiveness. Maybe hedidwant her for more than just his position in the Pack. Though growling at his cousin probably wouldn’t help matters when it came to her fitting in.

“We already have enough shit to deal with because of the elders,” Gideon bit out. “We don’t want them to think you and she had something going on in the past or on the side.”

Brie deflated, shocked and hurt at his words. She blinked quickly, surprised she was starting to tear up. How quickly his words could change her emotions. She didn’t like this roller coaster ride, nor did she like the insinuation that she would eventhinkabout stepping out of her mating bonds. Honestly, she wasn’t even aware a mate could do that. The mating bonds were so strong with wolves that there was no reason to evenlookat another wolf, let alone act on it.

“You have nothing to worry about,” she ground out. She refused to look at him, aware hestillhadn’t spoken to her. No, he’d only spoken once, and it had been to allude to her promiscuity. Or the rumor of such a trait.Greatway to start a freaking mating.

Walker cleared his throat. “Well, after the cousins, there’s the triplets.” He tried to smile and failed. “We’re the youngest of the bunch, but considering Kameron, Brandon, and I are all over a hundred and fifty, we’re really notthatyoung.”

Brie’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t realized your ages.” She blushed. “Sorry. Not that you’re old or anything. I’m just hitting my thirties, so I guess I’m the baby in the room.”

Brandon, the Omega of the Pack, smiled, and she cursed at herself. What had she been thinking with her emotions going all over the place? Now that she was a Talon member, Brandon would have been able to feeleveryemotion she felt. It would take time for him to learn her thread and be able to aid her pain or feel her true happiness, but he’d be able to feel her hurt and anxiety. The man hadn’t spoken though. Like her uncle and cousin who were Omegas, they had enough going on in their own minds and hearts that they didn’t speak much. She’d love to get to know Brandon more since her Uncle Maddox was one of her favorite people, but now wasn’t the time. Especially since she could once again feel Gideon’s gaze on her.

Frustrated, she turned to her mate, only to find that he’d shifted his attention elsewhere. It stung, but she pushed that away. It wasn’t as if this was a normal mating. They’d never promised love, just protection and duty. She’d learn to deal with her new life.

Eventually.

The last of the Brentwoods, Kameron, scowled then gave her a nod. She knew he was the Enforcer, charged with protecting the Pack from outside enemies. He had to be one of the strongest wolves in the room because of the duties placed before him, but she didn’t know him well enough to judge him. That would come though.

She’d learn each and every one of them and eventually find a way to make her place within the Pack. She knew who she was when she’d been a Redwood. Now she was a Talon. The Alpha female.

And so freaking lost.

“So, we’re going on a Pack hunt tonight?” she asked, trying to break through the tension. Maybe if Gideon would actually speaktoher, it wouldn’t feel so awkward, but she didn’t see anything changing soon. If this was how it was going to be for the rest of their mating, she’d have to change something. She might be a submissive, but she refused to lie down and bare her belly, letting others walk over her. Everyone would just have to learn that.

Gideon finally turned to her, and she held her breath. “Yes.”

Oh, boy. One word. Watch out, world.

“Yes? Okay. Is there a special place you guys hunt? How long does it usually go on? Are you going to want me to run next to you?” She blushed at that but continued on. “I know Aunt Mel runs next to Uncle Kade every time she can. It’s not only because it’s tradition, but it’s because she likes it.” She added that last part so he would know she’d seen a true Alpha couple at work. She and Gideon weren’t that couple, but maybe one day they could be friends who talked.

She wasn’t looking for love. Not anymore. She’d given that up when she’d said yes to Gideon. Honestly, she’d given that hope up all those years ago when she’d seen him outside her window.

As long as she could live her life in something approaching happiness, she’d be okay.

She just had to get there first.

Gideon’s mouth quirked in a smile for a moment, and she felt as though she’d won the lottery with that one gesture. Therewasa man under all that Alpha. She’d seen a glimpse of him last night. Now she just had to dig deeper to find the rest of him.

“Yes,” Gideon repeated. “The Pack hunt is tonight. We will start in the clearing outside the circle. It’s within the den and protected by the wards. Since it’s not a full moon hunt, not everyone will be in attendance.”

Ryder cleared his throat.

Gideon raised a brow but didn’t move his gaze from hers. “What, Ryder?”

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