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“Another reason not to initiate him into our Pack,” I murmured, not thinking about my words, until I saw Trent blinking at me in surprise. “Our Pack,” I repeated, sounding the words out, more than a little surprised to find I liked the way it sounded. “You’ve been waiting a long time for me to say that, haven’t you?”
“Yeah,” Trent said dumbfounded. “A few years.”
“You don’t want to leave when this is over?”
A rustle caught the corner of my eye and we both turned in time to see a lithe figure cross the clearing in a few determined strides, making a beeline for Jess’s window.
“No,” Trent answered instantly. “I don’t want to leave,” he continued, carefully disguising any emotion in his voice as he stared after the woman who had disappeared through the window. It didn’t take an idiot to see what or who had cured his wanderlust and I eyed him worriedly.
“She may never leave the Navarre Pack,” I warned him as I let Jess know through the bond that Anna was in her room.
“I would never ask her to,” Trent defended, jerking his gaze from the window and staring at me defiantly. “She’s….magnificent,” he concluded. “Also, hardheaded, foolish, and stubborn.”
“I agree.” A wry grin formed at his response. “Sounds like a certain shifter I know,” I teased, clasping his shoulder and giving him a shake. “You know an Alpha needs a Beta.”
“They do,” he agreed, lifting his gaze to mine. “You asking?”
“You accepting?”
“Only if you’re offering.”
“I’m offering.”
“Then I accept,” he said, his hand coming to his chest as he added, “It would be my honor to stand as your Beta. Even more so now that you have more than just me to choose from.” A laugh choked out of me at his blithe statement and it took a moment before I could speak seriously.
“I’d like Liam to be there when we make it official,” I told him and he nodded. “I’d also like to get his opinion on Monster joining us.”
“I think you should expect Liam to be surprised when you ask his opinion, but I know it’ll cement his loyalty to you and this Pack.”
My lips parted to deny that I was doing it for his loyalty, but the truth was, part of me was doing it for exactly that reason. We were treading dangerous ground, and I knew eventually I’d have to tell Caleb. I couldn’t afford to question my Pack’s loyalty when that happened. I had to know they’d protect my back, and Jess, if I was challenged.
“I wouldn’t worry about Liam’s opinion,” Trent continued and I eyed him questioningly. “Her dad on the other hand,” I winced at the thought and he chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t envy you that conversation. You’re taking his little girl and his son.”
I held in a sigh, knowing Trent was right, but also knowing I wasn’t giving Jess up, no matter how uncomfortable it made her father. “She’s mine,” I answered and Trent shifted back slightly at my tone. “Monster, on the other hand, just needs my protection until he’s old enough.” I didn’t bother to finish, both of us already instinctively knowing he’d grow up to be Alpha of his own pack one day.
I tugged my shirt over my head, scratching my stomach absently as I glanced at the forest. “I’m going to see if I can flush Dylan out. Stay with him,” I commanded, nodding to Monster. “Who knows, the cookies might do the trick.”
“And what exactly do you want me to do if Dylan does come barreling out of the woods?” Trent asked dryly, clearly not forgetting what a behemoth Dylan was in wolf form.
“Run.”
Chapter Three
Jess
Dom’s warning came seconds before I heard footsteps padding toward the couch. Dad jumped in surprise as Anna came around and she wiggled her fingers in apology as she said, “Hello, Mr. Carter.”
“Anna,” he replied, mustering a smile as he stood up. “Good to see you and you know you can call me Thomas,” he reminded her and she bobbed her head. Dad smiled and shook his head, “Not that you will.”
“No, sir,” she responded immediately and then bit her lip. Dad glanced between us and headed for the door.
“I can tell when I’m not wanted. I’ll go see if they need any help out there,” he told us, waving as he escaped from the apartment.
“You weren’t surprised to see me,” Anna accused the second he was gone, as she flopped onto the couch next to me, the move so ungraceful I blinked. Her normal fluidity was missing as she slumped back, circles under her eyes, as she stared at the wall, her accusation even lacking any oomph.
“Dom alerted me,” I answered, eyeing her carefully. “He saw you going to my room.”
“What a snoop. We should call him Snoopy,” she replied, the words jumbling slightly as she spoke, and I stared at her in shock.
