Page 18 of Opposites Attract
“You don’t have a choice in the matter.” I kept my tone low and calm. “And unless you want to challenge me, I’d suggest keeping your mouth shut when it comes to your Luna.”
“Alls I’m saying is that she doesn’t belong in the conference room.” Tim smiled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Her place is best served with the pack. If they’ll have her that is.”
Andrew and Patrick grumbled their agreement. Both men refused to meet my eyes.
“Does someone want to tell me what the fuck he means?” I turned to my Beta, tired of the riddles. I’d only wanted to introduce my mate as a formality because it’s what she wanted. This was my pack and I ran things my way. Until someone was strong enough to take me out, I didn’t have to bother with how stuffusedto be. And the youth of the pack were happy I’d taken control. Though many of them were gone now, chasing dreams around the world, and leaving the old wolves here to wait for their return.
Bryant scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. “You know how things are in small towns.”
“Why does…”Oh Goddess.Even my beast groaned at the unfairness of it all. This was the worst fucking thing about being an Alpha, made even worse by the backwoods pack who had nothing else to do except hunt and screw around. “What are the rumors saying now?”
“About our Luna or the Williams Pack?” Bryant shook his head slightly as he watched the frustration play across my face. He motioned with his eyes to the elders. His intent was clear.Feed them some information so they’ll leave.
“I handled Chase Williams.” Not like it was any of their business what I did or didn’t do, but ceremony dictated I inform them at least. “He’s in my debt. No more crossing pack borderswith shady business dealings or leaving casualties for our wolves to find.”
I was honestly surprised they hadn’t aired that bit on the show. Bryant had said most of the pack was watching every episode, either here at the lodge or down at the bar. But maybe mafia dealings weren’t politically correct enough for daytime television.
“We knew you would,” Bryant said, looking around the table. “Right boys?”
“Right,” Andrew and Patrick nodded. Tim voiced his agreement half a second later, avoiding my direct gaze. He stank of a lie, but I didn’t expect him to act differently after all this time.
We should’ve taken him out after the challenge.
I folded my arms over my chest, ignoring my beast. Coming back to this pack after my military service had given me a different perspective. It wasn’t like being behind enemy lines. I didn’t want to clear house in one sweep. And besides, Tim might’ve held allegiance to the old Alpha, but he still deferred to me when the time came.
And he’s not a threat.
I kept my gaze trained on the side of his face, daring him to raise his eyes and prove me wrong.
He didn’t. Not even as he and Patrick helped Andrew out of the chair. The three of them shuffled toward the door, heading for the main room to get some coffee before the festivities began.
Bryant sat in his chair, watching as they closed the door.“We should hold some sort of election. Vote them out.”
“There’s not enough people willing to fill their positions.” I sighed, not caring if they heard me.
Unless some of the pack came back after graduating college or once they found mates, our numbers would continueto dwindle. The elders served as territory representatives for their various properties because we were spaced out so far.
“Rumor has it Larson convinced his pregnant mate to buy a house up here,” Bryant offered.
“Always with the rumors.” I sank heavily onto my chair, staring at the closed door.
“Are you alright?”I tried reaching out to Fallon again, just to be ignored.
“Speaking of which…” Bryant’s grin was apologetic as I turned to face him. “You might want to have a little chat with the pack before the gathering tonight.”
7
Fallon
He’s trying to show he cares.
He’s going to get us killed.
I stormed through the front of the lodge where flannel-covered couches and mismatched wood chairs sat around an old stone fireplace. Everything here was musty and cramped–worn in by the generations of shifters who’d lived here. It all had a history. A story. One that didn’t include me.
And it never would if John couldn’t control his protective urges long enough to let me find my footing. That was one thing Ranger never did. He was a great big brother, but he wouldn’t fight my battles for me. Because of him, I’d been able to establish my own place in the McCaw Pack.
As much as I hated to say it, I was starting to miss home.