Page 37 of Alpha Hunt
“Good morning.” Jagger’s voice has us all swiveling to face him. “Didn’t expect to see you two here so soon.”
“We’re mated, Law, not crippled,” Casey shoots back.
“Yeah, well, if you’re doing it right, you should be walking funny the next day,” Tarkin quips. Gage snort-laughs.
Jagger, however, seems less amused.
“A word, please…” he says to us. Casey and I exchange glances as he pulls us aside, his brow lined with concern. His nostrils flare, and I know what’s coming. “Why hasn’t the mate bond been sealed?” he asks, his tone serious. “That’s the whole point of the hunt, after all.”
“We…I…You don’t—” Casey fumbles for an answer.
“Don’t try to convince me that you did it, Stone. I can smell that he hasn’t laid a hand on you.”
“Look, it’s just…” Casey’s discomfort is clear in the way she tenses beside me.
Without hesitation, I step in, my voice calm and assured. “These things take time. We’re not rushing into anything.”
“Rushing in? You were mated yesterday. It’s not like you just hooked up on a blind date. You’re a bonded pair.”
“I agree. But things will take their natural course. We’re not forcing this, Law.” I keep my tone respectful but firm.
Jagger studies us for a moment, his gaze intense, but eventually nods in acceptance. “Okay, fine. But don’t wait too long. The pack needs to see unity. You know how important these bonds are to our people, Stone.”
She gives a nod, leaning against me a little. She’s making contact without being forced into it, and I like the sensation.
“Ah! There you are!” Callum’s voice has us all turning. “I’m glad I got you all here together. I just heard from Barrett.”
“That’s good news.” Jagger turns from us and heads to where the tall beta is standing in the doorway of the gym. The tension leaves Casey in a rush.
“Well, I’m not sure if it’s good news or not.” Callum shrugs. “He says he hasn’t found much to report.”
“Then why isn’t he back here telling us that himself?” Jagger scowls.
Callum frowns at his phone as if the man is still on the other end. “Barrett says he’s going to stay a bit longer in Sweetwaters. He’s pretending to be a biker, hanging around town to see what he can find out.”
I nod, understanding the need for subterfuge. We can’t risk drawing attention to ourselves or our investigation.
“He’s been scouting around the wolf sanctuary regularly,” Callum continues. “Says he hasn’t seen any signs of shifters yet, but he can sense they’re around. He wants to dig deeper before he comes back.”
Jagger’s jaw tightens as he considers this information. “Alright, that’s a good plan. But I want to discuss our next steps with the beta council. Callum, can you arrange a meeting?”
“On it,” Callum confirms, already tapping away on his phone.
Jagger turns to me. “Edirn, I want you in on this meeting.”
I incline my head in acknowledgment, appreciating the trust he’s placing in me.
Then, Jagger shifts his attention to Casey. “Stone, I need you on patrol outside Steel Lakes.”
Casey’s tenses slightly, and I can sense her reluctance.
“Great. One night with a mate, and already I’m being demoted.”I can hear her voice in my head as clearly as if she were speaking to me. She wants to be involved in the heart of the action, not pushed to the sidelines.
“Jagger, I—” she begins, but he cuts her off with a raised hand.
“I know you want to be in the thick of things, but we need eyes on the perimeter. You’re one of our best, Casey.”
The compliment seems to satisfy her, and she nods, albeit a bit stiffly. “Yes, Alpha.”