Page 86 of Alpha Fate
“Why not?” He looks crestfallen, which surprises me. Did he think he was in with a chance?
“You’re a ginger. And so am I.” I flick my ponytail; it’s thick and dark, but there’s no hiding the red highlights among the strands.
“What’s wrong with gingers?” He cocks his head.
“You can’t put a ginger on a ginger, you ass. Our pups would come out translucent.” It’s not entirely true. I’ve always had golden skin. But I’m not letting Tarkin get any ideas. I’ll nip that in the bud right now.
“So, you’re saying we won’t be seeing you up before the council for the ceremony anytime soon?” Gage winks at me.
“Jesus, Heller! You lot aren’t going to let up, are you?” I throw my hands in the air. “You’re literally worse than vegans. Always trying to convert everyone.”
“Bite your tongue, Stone! We’re wolves; we’ll always eat meat. And I happen to think vegans are brave to stick to their convictions. Besides, what’s wrong with wanting to see you as happy as we are?”
“I’m happy, okay?” I roll my eyes. “And I’ll be even happier if you’d drop it.”
“Sure. What would you rather talk about?” Sierra is trying to keep the peace.
“Please don’t make her talk shop,” Gage groans. “If you get her started on training routines, we’ll never hear the end of it.”
“What’s wrong with training routines?” Frankly, I’d much rather discuss that.
“I’m with you,” says Tarkin. “Not everyone has mates to distract them. And now that you two are going to have less active duty, the rest of us will have to take up the slack.”
“See?” I turn to Jagger. “There’s a reason to talk shop.” He shrugs at me, but I know his new role as Alpha has him taking note. So, I change the subject. We chat idly about patrol schedules and upcoming security briefings. Gage mentions he’ll be taking some personal time to get to know his mate better. More lovey-dovey gazes are exchanged between the couples. I’m struggling not to fidget or glance around too much.
Then, suddenly, there’s silence, and everyone turns around. I frown, my nostrils flaring as I pick up a new scent. An unfamiliar scent.
Every muscle in my body stiffens as the stranger walks into the room. Dark, brooding, there’s something about him that seems to crackle in the air.
Him!
Edirn Alpen. The traitor from Leadmills.
“The fuck is he doing here?” I snap at Jagger, who ignores me.
“Edirn.” Gage is striding toward the tall male, who limps on over to him. I heard he got worked over pretty well by those fucking rogues. Too bad they never did a better job. I don’t know why we have to deal with him.
“Gage.” Edirn dips his head. His eyes rove over the gathering, taking everything in. Taking too much in. What’s he looking for? What the hell does he want?
“It’s good to see you up,” Gage is saying. “We were worried about you for a while.” Jagger is eyeing the stranger, but there’s not a lot of animosity in his expression.
Why the hell not?
In fact, he’s moved closer to the fucker now, too. There’s a murmured conversation that I strain to hear, catching phrases that make my hackles rise.
When Jagger leads Edirn to the small stage in the center of the gathering, I hold my breath.
What now?!
“People of Steel Lakes,” he begins. “By now, you may have heard about our new guest.”
There’s a murmur from the crowd.
“If not, I’d like to introduce Edirn Alpen to you.”
I glare in their direction. The bastard has the nerve to smile in response to the greetings that are called to him.
Jagger is still speaking, and what he says has my blood running cold. “You may have heard how Edirn put his life on the line to help our team. As a result, he was expelled from his pack on pain of death. He has come to us seeking sanctuary.”