Page 11 of The Beta's Heart

“What position are you in the pack?”

“Second, also known as the beta. I’m Acksel’s right hand, so I’m there for whatever he needs. Below me is Sam, the theto. He’s in charge of the protectors, who are the wolves that are pack guards.”

She hummed. “You’re the go-between for Acksel and the pack members?”

“Among other things.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah. I fought my way up from an omega as a teenager to become beta. Acksel’s a good alpha, he’s fair and protective of the pack.”

“Could you be alpha?”

“If I wanted, which I don’t really. Alphas carry a lot of responsibility. I’d have to fight Acksel to take the position, and if I lost, I’d be exiled and not allowed to return to Wilde Creek under threat of death.”

“Gracious!”

“Pack life can be harsh.”

“Are we mated?” she asked.

His brows rose, and a low growl stuttered in his chest. “Of course.”

“I mean in the eyes of the pack.”

The growl cut off abruptly. “No. You’re wearing my marks and we made love, so we’re mated in the basic sense. But the pack won’t recognize our mating officially until we go before the alphas and commit to each other. We do that sort of thing on the full moons. There’s a short ceremony, and the alphas will give their approval for the mating and the pack will welcome you as an honorary member.”

Her stomach took that moment to growl and she smiled. “Are you hungry, too?”

“Of course. I had an insatiable fairy in bed with me last night. I’m positively starving.”

Her smile widened as she grinned. She had felt insatiable last night. It didn’t hurt that her mate was sexy as hell. “I can fix you something to eat.”

“Would you mind if we headed back to Wilde Creek? I left my truck at the alphas’ home, and my clothes in the woods. I need to check in, and then we can go eat at Luna’s. It’s a diner in town. If that’s okay.”

“Sure, sounds good to me.”

He stood and looked down at his naked body, all muscled and tanned and just begging to be explored. “I don’t suppose you could take us right to where I left my clothes?”

“Sure. In the dream I had about you, it was at that tree that was struck by lightning, so I can take us right to it.”

“Unless someone picked up my clothes, but I kind of doubt anyone would.”

She cleaned up and dressed quickly in a pair of leggings and a tunic, slipping on a pair of ballet flats and pulling her long hair up into a ponytail.

“Can you open a portal to anywhere?” he asked as he followed her outside and down into the yard.

“Pretty much as long as I know where it is. I wasn’t sure where Acksel and Brynn’s house was the first time I went there, so I looked up their address on GPS and got my bearings that way.”

“Do you have to be outside?” he asked.

“No, I just prefer it. You can think of it as part of my nature abilities and enjoying being outside.”

She thought about the tree, picturing it in her mind, and then she opened a portal. Through the opening, they could see the woods and the tree that had been split.

“Your power is awesome,” he said, kissing her cheek.

“Thanks,” she said.

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