Page 15 of The Alpha's Honor

Ree, I’ve gone to speak to my pride about our mating. Make yourself at home. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Your mate, Duke

He looked at the message and then added his cell at the bottom in case she wanted to get in touch with him. Leaving the note on the pillow next to her, he took one last look and then walked out, shutting the bedroom door softly, and exiting the apartment. He texted Titus as he jogged down the stairs.

Keep an eye on Ree. I’m going to talk to my parents.

Not waiting for a response, he tucked his phone into his pocket and walked out into the bar. Pushing open the back door, he hurried to his car and pulled out of the parking lot, his foot on the floor and the engine roaring. His lion didn’t much care to leave their mate in the apartment, but it was a secure floor, in a secure bar, and he knew she’d be safe.

His parents were early birds, and it was a habit that he’d inherited. He couldn’t sleep much past sunrise, even on the nights when he was out late hunting. He would have had a good reason for staying in bed late this morning, considering Ree’s sweet scent called to him like nothing he’d ever experienced before, but he’d rather handle things with the pride now while she slept. He’d told her a lot about the pride, but he’d left out the part about being next in line for alpha. She didn’t really understand that hierarchy, and she was already worried about him giving up so much for her.

She just didn’t realize that it was no hardship. At the end of the day, his title didn’t matter, or even if he had one. It was strange how quickly his perception of what mattered changed, from wanting only the best for himself to only the best for his mate.

He parked in front of his parents’ home, turned off the engine and got out, striding up the walk to the front door. He knocked twice and pushed the door open.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Duke? What are you doing here?” his mom called from the kitchen.

He walked down the hallway at a fast clip, finding his parents sitting at the table, coffee mugs in hand and the newspaper spread out before them.

“I hope you don’t mind that I came over without calling,” he said, sitting at the table. “I wanted to talk to you in person.”

“Is something wrong?” his dad asked.

“No, actually, everything is really great.” He paused for a moment, and then said, “I found my mate last night.”

Both of their mouths fell open, which under other circumstances he would have found humorous. At the moment, however, it was anything but comical.

“Her name is Ree and she’s human. She came into the bar last night, and I… I just knew. I left her sleeping in my apartment so I could come tell you.”

His dad opened his mouth and Duke put his hand up. “I know what you’re going to say. Yes, I know that breaking the mating contract nullifies my alphaship, and also is grounds for exile.”

His dad cleared his throat. “Are you certain she’s your heart-match?”

Duke nodded. “I mated and marked her last night. The only reason I left her in my apartment is because I wanted to get this ball rolling. I know you need to convene the elders and rule on this situation. But yes, I’m one hundred percent positive that Ree is my true mate, and my lion is doing backflips just thinking about her.”

No one said anything for several moments. Duke watched as his parents stared at each other silently, almost like they were communicating telepathically, although he knew that wasn’t actually what they were doing. His mom stood and said, “Give me a hug! This is cause for celebration.”

He stood and hugged his mom, so thankful for her acceptance.

“She’s looking forward to meeting you.”

“Good. Maybe for dinner tonight?”

“That would be great.” He looked at his dad. “What am I supposed to do about the contract?”

“I’ll send for Abbie. I believe that you will need to be present to break the contract, and then Abbie will take it to Madison’s parents,” his dad said. “I’ll call for the elders now, and you can share your story with them. That way it will be a first-hand account instead of my word.”

He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Will this take long?”

“They’ll be here soon,” he said as he picked up his cell from the table and began to dial.

“Okay.”

He wished he’d gotten Ree’s cell number so he could call her and check in. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he looked at the screen and realized that Titus hadn’t texted back. He stepped out of the kitchen and dialed Titus’s cell.

He answered on the third ring. “Yah?”

“You didn’t respond to my text.”

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