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“Since it’s Brie’s first hunt, there might be more people there than usual.”
She swallowed hard. Everyone who came would be there for her, wanting to get a peek at the new mate of the Alpha. She only hoped she lived up to their expectations.
Or surpassed them if they were too low.
Gideon sighed, and it sounded as though he had the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. He did, though, at least the weight of his Pack. Her job would be to help him carry that load if he ever let her. It was only day one though, and she had time to learn how to do her job. Hopefully.
“Fine. Then there might be a few more wolves than you’re used to, but they’ll watch us shift and start the hunt. It won’t go on for too long, but we can go into the forest and let our wolves roam. We’re going to do it during the day as well because thisisdifferent.”
She nodded, understanding that this was only the first step of many that include her.
“I understand. So when does it start?”
Gideon frowned then looked over her shoulder at the clock on the wall. “In less than an hour actually.”
She blinked. That wasn’t a lot of time to get prepared, though it wasn’t as if she really needed anythingforthe hunt. It was more of preparing herself emotionally. Plus, she really wanted to talk to Gideon alone before they had to strip down in public and shift together.
Brynn stood up and stretched then gave Brie a smile. “We’ll see you there then. That way you and Gideon can come in together and we’re not all showing up en masse.”
Brie stood as well, grateful the other woman seemed to be reading Brie’s mind. Eventually, she wanted to get to know Brynn better, but right now, her mating was more important. It was the whole reason she was in this situation after all.
Soon, everyone left, either giving her a nod or a slight pat on the back on their way out. No one dared to hug or kiss her considering they didn’t know her, plus Gideon’s reaction to Max earlier hadn’t been the most welcome. Wolves might be tactile creatures but there was only so much they could do in the face of a possessive Alpha.
When they were left alone, Brie turned around to ask Gideon a question, only to see his retreating back.
“Gideon?” she asked, wondering what he was up to. It would be nice to actually speak to him alone since they were mated. Maybe that was asking too much though.
“I’m going to go take a quick shower, and then we can head to the clearing,” he answered without even looking back.
Well then.
She let out a sigh then went to her notepad and starting jotting down notes. She’d need to get the rest of her things and bring them to the house and do a few more chores so she’d feel as though she was home instead of being a guest at Gideon’s place. Everything would eventually settle down, but it wouldn’t be easy.
Nothing worth having ever was.
By the time Gideon finished showering and walked back into the room, she was at her wit’s end. Of course, the fact that he came in with his beard and hair wet, his body filling out his clothes so well that she had to stop from swallowing her tongue didn’t help much.
Gideon gave her a knowing glance then gestured toward the door. “Let’s head on out. People will probably be getting there early to get a good look at you.”
Nothing like feeling as though she was on display to get her ready for a hunt. She sighed and stared down at her linen pants and top. She hadn’t brought over much, and it was really all she had left. It wasn’t as though she was going to be in them for long, but she still didn’t feel right in her own skin.
“Nothing like a bunch of wolves staring down at my every move to help my nerves.”
Gideon sighed but took a step toward her. She froze as he cupped her cheek, his face drawn. “It’s not going to be easy, Brie. We knew this going in. But I won’t let anyone hurt you on the hunt.”
Her eyes widened. Honestly, that thought hadn’t even occurred to her. Yes, thereweredominance battles on hunts since everyone would be in wolf form, but she’d never had to be part of one. She was a submissive who’d been happy with her standing in the Pack. Things were much different now.
And even though the thought of him wanting to protect her made her wolf feel all warm and fuzzy, she knew that wasn’t the best way to go about things. Her wolf huffed at her, but some things Brie needed to do on her own.
“Well, hell. You might need to let me fight for myself then, Gideon. If they come at me, I will have to show I’m worthy enough to be your mate.”
He shook his head, and her heart fell. “You’re a submissive. You’re notsupposedto fight.”
“But I might have to. You know that. Protecting and coddling me won’t help matters in the long run.”
“We’ll deal with that when it comes to it. Let’s just get this over with, shall we?”
She held back her sigh and followed him out of the house, aware that every eye in the Pack was on her. This wasn’t going to be fun, and that was the understatement of the year.
If Gideon fought for her because he didn’t think she was strong enough to be his mate, this wouldn’t end well. However, she didn’t know how to stop an Alpha from being…Alpha.
One step at a time, she reminded herself. She was the one who’d offered herself up. Now she had to be the one who dealt with the consequences.
Even if those consequences involved feeling as if she was alone in a sea of wolves.
Forever.
