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“Thanks, but no thanks. If my old job here is still open, I think that’s where I belong.”
Steel grins, and tips his head in acceptance of my refusal. “I thought you might say that. Cooper, you better find a job for this one, too. Something tough, she can take it. If you leave her idle for too long, she’ll just cause trouble.”
Belle laughs, pretending to be offended, but she’s clearly thrilled at the teasing praise. She’s giving up everything to come here for me, and I want her to be happy, too. Her job meant a lot to her.
“How about our new head of security? Ethan sucks at it and he’s too busy these days anyway. We probably need two betas, and Rex definitely doesn’t want the job…” Cooper rolls his eyes and Hayley laughs. “Going by how quickly he bolted when he saw you pulling in, there’s no chance he’ll change his mind.”
Belle practically vibrates with happiness. I could kiss him. Actually, I think I will. Grabbing his face in both hands, I plant a big kiss on his forehead and sweep Belle off her feet.
“Want to come and work for me?” Giving Belle my most charming smile, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “I’ll be the best boss ever. Lots of rewards for good behaviour.” Winking, Belle laughs and rolls her eyes, while Hayley hits me hard in the side.
“With you,” Belle clarifies, making sure I know I won’t be in charge. “I think Cooper said he needs two betas. I’m not going to get you coffee all day.”
Cooper ignores our flirty banter and turns back to Blake, “So, what now? Who takes over the pack?”
Blake shrugs, pretending he hasn’t decided yet, but a small smile plays at the corner of his lips.
“Don’t think you can just hand a pack to your buddies and nobody will question it. I've got lots of strong wolves that would be capable of whipping that place into shape,” Dean Reynolds says, looking dour as ever.
He joins the conversation with a scowl on his dark features. His pack is taking baby steps toward reintegrating themselves into the wider pack network; it’s easy to forget that one of them might be a candidate for the role. He grips a cold beer in his hand and takes a long swig, looking reluctant as always to be anywhere other than his own territory.
“Actually, I was going to give it away as a prize,” Blake says, his face remaining perfectly calm as Dean growls in disgust, and Cooper looks completely confused. “In the Alpha Games.”
Oh. Silence settles over our little group as we all take that idea in. Putting a pack on the line for the winner of the alpha games would make it a real competition. This would be no moral victory, there’s an actual prize worth fighting for. And the Anderson pack would be assured they’ll get the strongest candidate there is.
“Hmph. And how do we know it would be fair for all? There are plenty of wolves with deep pockets and no morals.” Dean’s distrust of the other packs runs deep, but he’s right. There are definitely wealthy alphas out there with more than one heir who wouldn’t be above trying to get their child a pack through dubious means.
Blake’s smile turns into a full-on grin and Dean shifts uncomfortably. Blake is up to something, and he knows Dean won’t like it.
“That’s the good part. The result would be beyond reproach, because you’d be running it.” Clapping a hand on Dean’s shoulder, I see Blake tighten his grip. He’s not asking, he’s telling. “It’s perfect. You get to show everyone how welcoming and generous you are, and nobody has an unfair advantage, because they’ve never seen your territory. It’s the ultimate location.”
Dean narrows his eyes and I can tell he’s trying desperately to come up with a valid reason that it’s not a good idea. When he can’t come up with none, he sighs, the fight going out of his shoulders as he downs the rest of his drink. “Fuck.”
Without another word, he turns and disappears into the crowd, no doubt beating a hasty retreat back to his illusive pack.
“Is that a good idea?” Cooper asks, watching the big alpha disappear. A path opens through the crowd of people as he approaches, his agitated energy warning people not to get in his way.
Blake smirks and touches his glass to Coopers in cheers, “I think it’s one of my best.”
56
ETHAN
Stealing Belle away from the party downstairs, I lead her up to my apartment in the packhouse.
It’s small, but it’s home.
As we approach the door, Belle hangs back, looking around and taking it all in.
“I love this place. All the exposed stone and wooden beams.” She runs her hand along the banister as we walk down the hall and continues stroking up my chest when we stop in front of my door. “The fact that you’re here is just a bonus, really.”
Dipping my head to kiss her, I can’t keep the goofy smile off my face. I had begun to doubt this day would ever come. The fact that I get to have both my fated mate and stay in my pack seems too good to be true.
“If you don't like it here, we’ll move,” I promise, my lips still pressed to hers as I speak. She giggles at the sensation and slings her arms across my shoulders, going up onto tiptoes to tangle her fingers in my hair.
“I think we’ll be just fine. Once you don’t mind me taking your job…”
Reaching up to cup her throat carefully, I drag my thumb over her mating mark, enjoying the little shiver it elicits from my mate. Her pupils dilate as she swallows hard and stares up at me. I tighten my grip and lean down, grazing her mark with my teeth.
