Chapter 72: Gamma.
Warren.
I love that Yara keeps claiming me in front of the pack. I can feel the difference in them, the settled feeling that they get knowing that their leaders are happy together. But more than that, it settles me and makes me feel like a fucking king.
The woman I care about most in this world, admire more than anyone and love more than anything, keeps telling anyone who will listen that she loves me and wants my pup. The first time might not have been intentional, but this time it was very intentional.
When I hear my pack members murmuring ‘well done, Alpha’, I can’t help but smile smugly. That’s right. That incredible woman loves ME.
“You know what this packhouse needs?” I ask. Not waiting for a response, I look at Charlie. “More flowers,” I say and turn to walk out of the dining room as the room erupts into laughter and cheers. “Lots and lots of flowers,” I say.
“Do you want us to order them for you, Alpha?” a couple of omegas ask me.
I stop, and look around the place, thinking that every pack member should have flowers in their rooms too and if I do what I’m thinking, they’ll have a variety to choose from and so will my mate.
I tell them what I want and their eyes go wide.
“Are you sure, Alpha?” they ask. “That’s a lot of money.”
“Our Luna is back safe and sound, we’ve eliminated one threat to our pack and have two more in our cells. I think that’s cause for some serious celebration, don’t you?” I ask.
The room cheers again. “OH! And no one tells our Luna. It’s a secret,” I say, my smile widening when I think of her response. “And get them here before she gets back from the hospital today if possible.” “Yes, Alpha,” the omegas say and I see several more join them as they rush off to get this done. “Damn,” Charlie chuckles as we walk out of the dining hall. “How the hell am I supposed to compete with that?”
“That’s your problem,” I say, smiling at my Beta. I feel light as fucking air. I know we have a lot going on, a lot yet to do, but damn does it feel good to have my life falling into place.
Charlie and I walk to my office and sit. “Okay, Haynes or Quinton first?”
I ask him.
“Let’s start with Haynes. Maybe give him time to talk to Laney before we have our pack ceremony. And if he agrees, then we’ll need to schedule his challenge. But if all goes well, we’ll have our ranked members, Quinton will be dead, and Simon can watch as you make Yara your Luna and our pack members swear their loyalty and allegiance to a unified leadership before he dies.”
“I want to keep him alive until we know Yara is pregnant. I want him to know that he lost all the way around, that it’s my pups that will be growing in her belly, my pups that she’ll giving birth to, my pups that she’ll be nursing and raising,” I say, beginning to growl possessively at the idea.
I look at Charlie. “Are you and Noelle going to have pups right away?”
“I don’t know yet. We didn’t get that far in the conversation. She said she was ready for me to mark her and so I did,” he says smiling smugly.
I smile at him. “Okay, let’s get Haynes in here. I want Quinton dead before Yara gets back. When she’s back, I want to celebrate.
“I’ll let the omegas know that we want to have a party tonight,” he says and we both stop, staring at each other.
“Did you ever think I would say those words?” he asks softly.
“No. And I never thought we’d be safe enough or healthy enough to even consider having one. We definitely need a party. A BIG one! Tell them to keep it a secret as best they can. Let’s make that a surprise for the pack. They deserve this as much as we do,” I tell him.
While Charlie mind links the omegas, I mind link Haynes.
‘Can you come to my office?’
‘Yes, Alpha,’ he says. There’s a knock on the door just as Charlie refocuses.
“They’re thrilled. I don’t know what they’re going to do or how much it’s going to cost us, but I told them money was not a problem.”
“Let’s hope it’s not,” I say before turning to the door. “Come in.”
“Alpha, Beta, you wanted to speak to me?”
“Haynes, come in,” I say, gesturing for him to sit beside Charlie.
He does, looking from Charlie to me, hopeful energy emanating from him.
“So, you’ve had to lead the pack a couple of times while Charlie and I were out. How did that go?” I begin.
“I think it went well. I know I have a lot to learn still, but I felt more comfortable the second time you left me in charge.”
“How about leading the group to find Simon?” Charlie asks him.
“That felt really good. The warriors seemed to respond well to me. We were methodical, and careful and obviously, we found him.”
“What’s going on with you and Laney?” I ask.
“She wanted to take things slow, although now that her sister is marked and mated, I think she’s feeling a bit out of her element. She’s been watching over Beta Noelle for so long, that she doesn’t really know what to do with herself now that she’s safe and has someone else watching over her.”
“What do you think of Laney being a Gamma?” Charlie asks him.
His gaze focuses on Charlie. “I think she’d be fantastic. She’s an excellent fighter, strong and smart from what I’ve seen. She’s taken down several of our warriors during sparring sessions and she’s gained their respect.’
“When do you think the two of you will complete your mate bond?” I ask him.
“I’m not sure. I won’t rush her. She needs to be ready to give herself to me,” he says firmly, making me smile.
“Good for you, Haynes,” I say, looking at Charlie, who shrugs, intentionally spreading out Haynes torment. Haynes eyes begin tracking back and forth between us, waiting and practically bouncing in his seat with anticipation.
Finally, I smile. “How about you, Haynes. How do you feel about being a Gamma?”
“Are you offering me the position?” he asks, his excitement spiking quickly.
“Yeah, we are,” Charlie says, smiling at him.
“Hel fucking yeah! Yeah, I want it!” he says, jumping out of his seat. “I mean, it would be an honor,” he says, sitting back down and forcing himself to be calm.
Charlie and I both laugh. “Good. We have to announce your nomination and you’ll be open to a challenge,
but I’d like this done in a couple of days, so we can have a pack ceremony and bring al of our new leaders and pack members into the pack.”
“Thank you! Thank you for this opportunity,” he says, jumping up again.
“You’ve earned it and you’ll earn it every day in this pack, you know that,” I say.
“I look forward to it!” he says.
Charlie chuckles. “Go. Tell your mate. I know you’re dying to.”
He rushes to the door. “Thank you again,” he says before rushing off to find Laney. Laney POV
I’ve been practicing some new moves that Haynes taught me. I need the repetition to make it more seamless in sparring. Punch, kick, duck, come up swinging another punch. He’s good at combos and he’s also good at mixing up his combos so his opponent never knows what to expect from him. He’s taken me down more times then I’ve taken him down when we’ve sparred together. And since I know he goes easy on me, it’s a testament to how much better he is at fighting than I am.
As I go through the motions, my body goes into autopilot while my mind kicks in. What am I going to do about Haynes? I’ve put him off, worrying about Noelle and trying to let go of the fear of becoming someone’s mate. I’ve seen the good and the bad of mate bonds in Thomas’ pack, mostly the bad However, this pack is different in so many ways. There aren’t bad mate bonds here. Mates aren’t flirting and cheating on their mates like they did in Thomas’ pack. Not only is it arrogant and demeaning, but it’s stupid. That kind of behavior weakens your warriors and therefore your pack. The fact that Thomas and most of his pack members are dead now just proves my point.
But Haynes isn’t that way. I haven’t been here very long, but I already know that he’s not like the warriors from Thomas’ pack. He wants me as his mate. He doesn’t flirt with other she-wolves, doesn’t even show more than a typical pack member’s interest in them and their lives.
“LANEY!” Haynes says rushing up to me. He has a huge smile on his face. “Come with me!” he says, taking my hand and practically dragging me away from the packhouse toward the forest nearby. “Haynes! What are you doing?” I ask, laughing. Okay, sometimes he pulls me away and we make out. I mean, the man’s mouth is soft and warm and when his arms are around me.
He stops, pulling me into his arms. I expect him to kiss me, but instead, he smiles down at me. “Alpha and Beta offered me the Gamma position.”
“Oh Haynes! That’s amazing! You’re a great leader! You deserve this!” I say, meaning it. I’d watched him while he led the pack. The second time, he’d been more confident than the first and it had shown. Then, leading the group to get Simon, he’d been amazing, a true leader, someone that others were willing to follow.
Someone that I am willing to follow.
He brushes my hair away from my face. “They asked me what I thought about you being a Gamma,” he says softly, making my heart flutter.
“What did you say?”
“That you’d be incredible, that you’ve already gained the respect of our warriors, that you’re strong and
smart. I didn’t mention that you’re beautiful and passionate, but you’re those things as well,” he says
softly.
I love the way this man looks at me.
He doesn’t hide how much he wants me, how much he loves me. I’m pretty sure the only reason he doesn’t kiss me in front of the other pack members is because he thinks I don’t want it. And I didn’t at first, but that’s been changing. Now, the thought of this man letting everyone know that I’m his…
“Do I get to challenge you for the position?” I ask him, smirking up at him.
“I refuse to fight with you,” he says, his voice still soft but more intense.
I slide my arms around his neck. “What about marking me? Are you going to refuse to do that too?” I ask,
just as softly.
He shakes his head at me. “Anytime you’re ready, I’m ready.”
I rub my nose against his, putting my lips a hair’s breadth away from his as I hold his gaze.
“I’m ready,” I murmur, knowing that I am. Not because he’s going to be a Gamma, but because it’s time for
me to accept that this man is the real deal. He’s mine and I won’t let anyone else have him, ever.
His mouth is on mine in an instant and I wrap my legs around him.
“Our room or out here?” he asks, barely taking his mouth off of mine.
“Make me yours under the sunlight in the forest,” I say, and he begins carrying me deeper into the forest.
I smile as he lays me down in a spot where the sun is filtering through the canopy of trees around us. I’m going to be a Gamma, my sister’s Gamma. But more important than that, I’m going to be mated to the most wonderful man I’ve ever met.
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