AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, because I’m not party to council discussions thanks to the fact I’m not yet alpha.”
“Then how do you know all the details?”
He smiled. “Rocco’s been filling me in, probably against orders. He’s of the opinion that you are now vital to the reservation’s future security, and that you would be an asset to our pack.”
Rocco was head alpha of the Marin pack, and one of the few wolves who’d known about the second wellspring on Marin pack ground before we’d announced it at that council meeting. There’d been no way I could keep its presence secret from him, as I’d needed his permission to access pack lands to see Katie.
“In many respects, he’s not wrong,” I said. “He’s obviously not against you becoming alpha, but where does he stand with me as your mate?”
“He has no problems with us marrying, but he hasn’t said where he stands in regard to the council position that would normally be yours.” He reached out and twined his fingers through mine again. “But our marriage should have no bearing on the council’s ratification of my position.”
“I think you’re being a little naïve there, Aiden. It has to be taken into consideration, if only because when it comes to pack matters, how comfortable are they going to be with someonenotwerewolf-born helping to make decisions?”
He somewhat lazily raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to talk yourself out of marrying me? Because that would be the fastest case of cold feet ever.”
I laughed. “You’re stuck with me now, boyo, no matter what. But I can see their point when it comes to the council.”
If I was being honest, in all the time I’d been wanting the man to declare his feelings, I hadn’t thought beyond it. Hadn’t really thought through the everyday practicalities of being a witch in a werewolf compound. All I’d wanted—all I’d cared about—was to spend the rest of my life with him.
But the fact was, things were never going to be that simple.
“You have every right if you’re living there.”
“Living amongst wolves is very different to making decisions that will affect the direction of their lives. Many would resent it, Aiden, even if they don’t give it voice.”
He didn’t argue, though it was pretty evident he also didn’t see the problem. But then, alphas could often be rather single-minded.
“They’ll have to reach a decision soon,” he grumbled. “The council cannot legally proceed with everyday administration matters without the required two representatives from every pack.”
I picked up my cup with my free hand, took another sip, and couldn’t help a soft sigh of happiness. I’d unconsciously chosen a teacup whose history and presence vibrated with good times and deep happiness, and I wanted to believe it was an omen of things to come.
Though both instinct and common sense said we had a mountain of external shit to climb over first.
“Does the fact we’ve no real decision on your status also mean we’ll have to hide the fact we’re seeing each other again?”
“Fuck no,” he growled. “I want you in my arms and in my bed from here on in.”
“Your bed?” I replied, amused. “What aboutmybed?”
“Don’t you have this whole ‘no lovers upstairs’ agreement going on with Belle?”
“We do indeed, but the important term there is ‘lovers.’ You’re no longer just a ‘lover,’ so that rule no longer applies.”
The heated, sensual glimmer in his eyes exploded, and waves of desire washed across my senses, so damn strong that for a moment, I could barely even breathe.
“Then how about we go upstairs and set about putting that rule to bed right now?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I gulped down the rest of my tea and rose. “It’s been so long since I saw any action, I think there might be cobwebs.”
He laughed, caught my hand, and all but ran me toward the stairs. But as we started to climb, his phone rang. I groaned and crossed all mental appendages that it wasn’t a callout.
He glanced at the screen and grimaced. “I have to take this.”
Fate had no sympathy for my starved hormones, it seemed. “Meaning the cobwebs will remain for another day.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.” He hit the answer button and said, “Ranger Aiden O’Connor speaking. How can I help you?”
Though I couldn’t hear everything that was said, the caller was a woman, and her voice was high pitched and frantic.
