Page 85 of Alpha Fate

They’re so fucking happy together it makes me ill.

Jealousy makes you nasty, Stone.

Bullshit. I’ve always been pragmatic. Wolves are designed to mate. It’s wired into us: the need to procreate. Strengthen our packs with our own DNA. If I’m honest with myself, it’s been something that’s been on my mind a lot lately.

Hardly surprising since my patrol partner just went and got himself bonded. And another of my team has done the same. I would never have expected it from either of them, certainly not Jagger, who’d vowed he’d never take a mate. So much for that. He’s well and truly smitten. And I’m happy for them, I really am. But that doesn’t stop me from feeling just a little bit queasy at the sight of all that lovey-dovey stuff.

Sierra and Savannah are giggling together, their heads bent close as they whisper and laugh. Jagger has his arm looped possessively around Sierra’s waist, unable to resist touching her even as they mingle with the rest of the pack. Gage stands tall and proud, one hand on the small of Savannah’s back as he nods along to whatever inane thing Tarkin is droning on about.

“Stone, come on over here,” Jagger calls out, beckoning me over with a wave of his hand. I saunter over, pasting on a smile as I grab a cup of fruit punch on the way. A sip of it has me grimacing. Raura had a hand in the catering, and she tends to go heavy on the vodka.

“Some party, huh?” Gage says, grinning at me. His face is lit up with pure joy. It’s an expression I hadn’t seen on him a lot before Sierra arrived. I guess this change in him has been for the better.

“Yeah, congrats, you two,” I reply. “And you.” I turn to Gage and Savannah. “Who would’ve thought you’d all end up mated after everything you went through.”

Jagger chuckles. “The trials we faced only served to bring out our strength. And now we’re being rewarded.” He looks at Sierra adoringly, and she melts against him.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Well, I’m happy for you guys, really,” I say dutifully.

“Sure you are.” Gage laughs at me. “You look like you’d rather gnaw your own arm off than stick around here.”

“Just wait.” Jagger grins. “She’ll change her tune when it’s her turn.”

“Who says I’m ever gonna have a turn, Law?” I scowl at him. He doesn’t seem to care.

Too loved up.

“You have to be thinking about it, surely?” Sierra smiles hesitantly at me. “I mean…with all of this going on.” She gestures to the others, then seems to shrink away from me a little. She’s always been cautious around me. I can’t say I blame her. I’ve never really had time for the females in our pack. And it’s quite possible that I come across as a bit unfriendly.

Just a bit.

“I haven’t thought about much aside from all of our rescue missions lately.” I give Gage a telling look. “We’ve had a lot going on.”

“Well, things have settled now. Especially since Rack is out of the picture.” Savannah looks radiant as she presses against Gage. I almost can’t believe that she was the one who took the fucker out. She looks so…sweet.

“I guess you’re right. Though it’s never a good idea to let your guard down.” I’ve learned the hard way about that. I’d still have a family if my birth pack had been more vigilant.

Cut it out, Casey. This is a happy day.

I push the thought from my mind.

“C’mon, Stone. You can’t tell us that you never give yourself time to let your hair down?” Gage raises an eyebrow, and I resist the urge to touch my sleek ponytail.

“I like my hair up, Heller. I don’t want it to get in the way when I’m kicking your ass.”

“You know that’s not what he meant, Stone.” It’s Jagger again. “You’re going to have to think about it at some point. Finding a mate. You’re getting a little long in the tooth.”

“Screw you, Law! My teeth are just fine.” I bare them at him to drive the point home.

“Again, that’s not what I mean.” He doesn’t need to tell me. I know exactly what they’re getting at. Steel Lakes is a growing pack, but it’s dominated by alpha males. Males all looking for a mate.

And so far, I’ve refused to take one.

“I know what you mean, Law. And I’m not in any hurry, regardless of what you think about my teeth. I’ll decide in my own good time.”

“You know you could have the pick of us, right?” Tarkin has stepped in. He waggles his ruddy eyebrows at me.

“You putting yourself forward, Redburn?” I scoff. “No fucking way.”