“Fine. Running smoothly. People are asking where you are though. Why you haven’t returned from the raid. You need to show your face soon.”
Cael nodded. “Today.” He pulled Besh over. “This is Lexar,” he introduced. “He’s my most trusted wolf.”
Besh nodded, holding her hand out, but he didn’t take it. “I’m Besh.”
His smile was kind. “I know. I’d shake your hand but our alpha is already throwing off his back-the-hell up vibes.”
Oh. She pulled her hand back. But Cael wasn’t the only one throwing those vibes. Avan glared at Besh like she wanted to eat her alive. Then she blinked, recovering her stony expression.
“Trust me,” Vesh muttered. “He’s very touchy today.”
Lexar laughed. “Looks like you need to get to Braeh soon. Your face looks like shit.”
“Adds to my appeal I think. But you’re right.” His voice lost all humor. “She okay?”
Lexar nodded. “Her and Kerrigan both. Avan updated me on the way here. So…” He looked to Cael. “What now?”
“We go back to camp and wait for news from Trager. He’ll be back soon, and I’m thinking when he does, he’s going to want that mating ceremony quick like.”
“Annnnd on that note, I’m heading back to Ozarka,” Avan said, stepping toward the door.
Cael stopped her. “It’ll be up to you to set the pack right. They need time to heal, but things need to change over there. I hope you can see that.”
“Oh, believe me, I see it. I’m still not convinced there wasn’t somebody helping Jax. Someone besides Farrow. I’ll get to the bottom of things.” She stared at the door, thinking. “But it’ll have to wait. I’m sure I’ll be spending the next few months being challenged for the alpha position.”
Cael frowned. “We’re allies now. I can send Lexar to help you.”
Avan looked at the dark wolf and smirked. “No thanks. I’m a big girl. What kind of alpha would I be if I couldn’t defend my land on my own?”
“Suit yourself.”
She sighed, opening the door. “I usually do.” And then she stepped out, shifting to her form of a white wolf.
Lexar stared after her, a strange look in his eyes, even after she was well out of sight. Besh wasn’t sure, but that look reminded her a lot of white hot desire.
Chapter Thirteen
As Cael unlocked the door to the alpha lodge, he realized how nervous he was. He’d hated living here. It was too big, too much for him. All he needed was a bed and a kitchen. The five bedroom monstrosity was out of his league. Now though, he was glad for it. It would be the perfect place to raise his family.
He opened the door, letting Isabesh walk in first.
She turned around in a wide circle, taking in the spacious front room. He hadn’t decorated. There were curtains on the windows, but they were plain white against the log walls. No pictures. No art or bookshelves. He’d treated his books badly. His reading selection was stacked on his bedside table.
“I love it,” she breathed.
“You can do whatever you want to it. I don’t care. Make it yours, baby.”
She smiled so bright, he felt it in his gut. Her smile was the greatest gift he’d ever received. He hoped to make her do that over and over for the rest of their lives.
“Ours,” she corrected. “I’ll make it ours.”
He stepped forward, grabbing her face and kissing her like there’d never be another chance.
But there would be. He had the rest of their lives to do this.
“Mate me,” he breathed. “I want your mark in my flesh.”
Trager was already on his way back. He and Farrow had found Gabby exactly where Besh explained. Gabby needed time with her mate, and so did Trager. Cael would give him time away later, to catch up with her. In the meantime, there was a ceremony to perform.
More than one, if Besh said yes.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“So fucking sure.”
Her smile was careful, and she brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. “On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You teach me how to shoot a rifle. We never got that far.”
Fuck yes, he’d teach her that. And combat too. They’d start with martial arts. Tai kwon do, maybe. She’d be the most badass submissive wolf ever.
Cael kissed her hard.
“Done…”
And then again.
“Fucking…”
Once more for emphasis.
“Deal.”
***
“Kerri, this is ridiculous. Do you know what you sound like right now? A flabbergasted goat, that’s what. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Vesh’s mate made some kind of god-awful noise from deep in her throat. It sounded nothing like a goat, and nothing like Kerrigan, but Besh kept quiet.