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I’m not even sure what I’m more worried about happening if I were to leave. That something would go horribly wrong in my absence, or that she makes a miraculous recovery and up and leaves when no one is watching. At this point, I’m really not sure which seems like the worst option.
My wolf is barely surviving the rejection pains, but I’m gritting my teeth and bearing it because there’s no other choice.
When she wakes, I can work on changing her mind. Until then, I’m in mourning for my mate. Double-fated. I can still hardly believe it, but after feeling the burn of Tess’s rejection, I know it has to be true.
I think about what I learned at dinner. That Tess isn’t just a small wolf from the middle of nowhere, but a descendent of one of the founding families. I had no idea—guess I should have paid more attention in Alpha training when we went over the history of the Northeast.
Now I’m stuck playing catch-up instead.
Al sighs. “Can you at least take a walk while I draw blood?”
“Draw blood? For what?” The permanent scowl I’m sporting deepens to the point that Al takes a hesitant step back.
“It’s just protocol. It’ll help me check and make sure her blacking out didn’t have any underlying causes. No vitamin deficiencies or anything that might make it harder on her to wake up,” he explains.
The explanation doesn’t settle me, but I begrudgingly move off the bed to let him work. It physically hurts me to leave her side—a feeling I don’t want to explain to the pack doctor, though I have a feeling he suspects anyway. The only thing easing the pain right now is pressing up against her in the bed, and she’s small, so it’s not like there isn’t room for the both of us.
"Alpha?"
I wish everyone would leave me the hell alone. "What, Luca?"
"The pack is talking. They want to know…" he trails off when I turn and level him with a hard look. Right now, I have no patience for problems. As my Beta, he should be taking care of things while I'm distracted.
He throws his hands up in surrender. "I know," he says, probably close to reading my mind. "But they're growing restless. There are rumors spreading that you've taken a mate against her will. Other packs are starting to get word and make calls, too. If we don't get ahead of this, you could be facing challengers within the week."
"No one is challenging me as Alpha," I scoff.
I can imagine where the rumors are probably coming from. Callum Cross was never going to go easily with his tail tucked between his legs. I saw the way he looked at Tess; I have no doubt he'd go out of his way to ruin my reputation if it meant she might be returned.
Even I'm an example of how just the scent of her can make a wolf go mad. What other explanation could there be for keeping a woman here when she clearly wanted to go?
And I can't even bring myself to feel guilty about it.
Tess ismine.
"Luca, I have a task for you," I tell him, my mind made up on something impulsive that might prove to be a mistake. Still, I have to try whatever I can at this point. I can't let Tess go, but I also can't let my pack fall apart.
The only solution? Drag another woman here. What could possibly go wrong?
"I want you to get Tasha, Tess's sister from the East Terrace Green Pack. But you'll have to figure out how to do so without alerting Cross. She should be here when her sister wakes up. I think they both need it."
"Are you sure?" Luca dares to question.
I stare at him until he backs down, nodding as he turns to go and do as I've asked. I won't stand for being questioned by my own Beta. Especially not if the pack is already on edge.
I don't understand all the details of Tess running away and refusing to see her sister, but I do recall something about her sister losing her mate in the rogue attack. I'm sure Tasha must be desperate to see her sister as she's already grieving one loss.
Plus, it wouldn't hurt to try swaying Tasha to my side before Tess wakes up. I can use all the help I can get with the stubborn woman.
Al eyes me warily as I go back to Tess's side.
"What? You're finished," I grunt, nodding at the vials of her blood he's taken.
He sets his equipment aside before facing me full-on, the kind of concern on his face that's usually reserved for a bad news diagnosis.
"Alpha, I think it would do us all some good if you stepped away for a while. Luca is right, the pack is antsy. They need to see that no matter what happens, they can rely on you. That you're going to put the pack first no matter what happens. Just like after your father—"
"I've got it," I snap, cutting him off. And then, because I'm already pushing my luck a hell of a lot here, I tell him, "Sorry. It's been a long night."
