Page 88 of Savage Beast

“I, Cairo Cruz, alpha to all rogues, herby pledge my loyalty to Cassius Wilder.” Cass’s eyes widen, his mouth open and closes at a loss for words. I feel like a fool kneeling here on my own––.

“I, Creedence Reeves.” I turn to the side to see Creed kneeling beside me, and this is the reason why he is my best friend. “Alpha to the Hasting-Reeves packs, pledge my loyalty to Cassius Wilder as well,” I spot my sister stand and she makes her way over to us and places a hand on each of our shoulders.

“I would kneel but, even Creed isn’t strong enough to lift me at the moment.” Her joke lightens the tension in the room and some chuckles can be heard. “I, Jessica Hastings-Reeves, alpha to the Hasting-Reeves pack, hereby pledge my loyalty and the loyalty of my pack, to Cassius Wilder.” To my utter shock, Alaric is next to agree, then slowly the others follow suit. Five alphas refuse, but majority rules, so they can eat shit. Cass is yet to say a word, Gabriel stands next and draws all of our attention.

“My son knows he has my loyalty and always will, but it is time I pass on the honor.” Belle and her brother’s gasp. “I will be stepping down as alpha and placing my son Hunter in charge of the Wilder pack, clearly my eldest has other duties to attend to now.” Gabriel smiles down at Cass who still looks like a lost lamb.

“Dad––.” He shakes his head cutting Hunter off.

“It is my time son. Plus, I want to be there for my first grandchild, and I can’t do that if I’m leading a pack, so now that is your burden and honor to bare.”

We all sit around the fire pit at the back of Jess and Creed’s house sipping beers, Belle is wrapped up in a blanket in my lap chatting with Jess who has a sleeping Harlem in her arms while I listen to Z, Cole and Creed talk about the hunt they plan to go on next week. As much as I love being here with them, it’s time for me to return home, Bex can’t be free here and my sister and I have tension between us when we stay together to long because of our wolves. It sucks, but it is what it is, I guess.

“Can I speak to you all for a second.” Everyone goes quiet as we give Cass our attention, he stands there with Gabriel beside him. Cass looks nervous, his hands are shoved in his pockets, and he won't hold eye contact with anyone. He takes a deep breath and finally lifts his gaze; I hold his stare but there is no challenge in his eyes only…respect. “What you did today, I never expected that, and I’m honestly lost for words. Since losing Blake, I have been fumbling and trying to find a sense of purpose again, and today, you gave that to me. Thank you, Cairo.” I nod my head and tip my beer toward him. He takes another deep breath and then turns his gaze to the two Reeves brothers, the serious look in his eyes has me on edge. “I swear that I will help you all find answers about my sisters’ baby.” Why is he looking at them and not us, Belle even seems confused? “And find answers about Sky…but from a distance, for now.” Creed leans forward and rests his arms on his thighs as he locks his gaze onto Cass and asks.

“Why?” Cass blows out a loud exhale before answering.

“California has run away––.” Creed opens his mouth and Cole jumps to his feet, but Cass raises a hand stopping them. “She left because she found out that I have become head alpha.”

“Why the fuck does my sister care about that?” The anger in Cole’s voice is palpable.

“Because she hates me.”

“Why?” Belle asks, a sad smile graces his face and that’s when it hits me.

Holy fuck!

“California Reeves is my true mate, and she and I have both known this since the moment I shifted at the alpha challenge. Don’t worry, I have taken precautions and made sure that someone I trust is with her until I can bring her back.”

“How do you even know where she is?” Since the betrayal of Davina, Creed has kept his siblings close. He hates that he trusted her and let her in, Cole and Callie didn’t give a shit that she died but Creed did. He was the only one out of the three of them that had any memories of their birth mother. Callie not being within his reach where he can keep an eye on her is going to set him on edge and right now, he doesn’t need that with Jess due in a few weeks.

“Because of the mate bond.”Well fuck me sideways, I was not expecting that!

“You’ve marked my sister?” Cole snaps. Cass meets his gaze and I respect the fuck out of him for being man enough to stand here and tell us this.

“Yes, I marked her a couple of months ago. Sheismy mate and I give you both my word that I will bring her back, no matter the cost.”

California

Icouldn’tstomachthethought of living near him or under his rule, I fucked up and made the biggest mistake of my life. I haven’t been able to look at myself in the mirror since that night with Cass, I had never even been with a man before! So, I packed my shit and ran while everyone was distracted. I don’t know if what she said in the text message is true, but if there is even a slim chance it is, I’m taking it. They may have all moved on from Sky’s death, but I haven’t! They each get to go home to their mates and families, but I go home to no one! Every day the pain inside me intensifies, I can’t even breathe without it hurting. I hate that she left me here alone!

My phone begins to ring, and I fish it out of my purse and answer when I see who is calling.

“You better be right, if you’re lying––.”

“California, I have done some fucked up shit in the past but even for me this is low. I swear I am telling you the truth, get on the plane and come to New York.”

“H-have you seen her?” She sighs.

“I have, she’s here.” I feel like a fool chasing after my girlfriend’s body, but I need to do this in order to try and heal. For me there is no moving on from Sky, you only get one epic love story in your life, and she was mine. I fight back the sob that wants to break free and clear my throat.

“I’m at the airport now, my flight leaves in an hour.”

“I’ll be there to pick you up.”

“One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

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