He turned and went down the hall into the first bedroom where two of his wolves were in various stages of waking. “On your feet, we may have a situation out front.” They sprang into action at once. Spotting a pile of folded tee shirts on the dresser just inside the door he grabbed one and dragged it on. He saw that Lee and Jack were missing. He was proud that they took ‘first thing’ seriously. Ryder smirked and went to the second door and repeated the process then headed for the front. He pulled the door open wide and stepped out onto the porch.
“Help you?” Ryder growled low staying on the top step of the porch. It was chilly outside and his toes curled under for a moment.
“Max Sommers.” The older Alpha nodded introducing himself. He was shorter and older than himself but Ryder took nothing for granted. You didn’t become and stay Alpha for no good reason. This was a tough and formidable wolf. He had to be because he was the Alpha of the largest pack in the area. “You have a she-wolf that belongs to me. You said that she would be returned before breakfast.”
“If she chooses to return to you, I am happy to deliver her. She’s just getting dressed.” The one named Jake growled loudly but stopped when Max gave him a look. “She would’ve been home last night if that one hadn’t tried to bully her. I don’t know what is okay and what is not okay in your pack. But, yanking a female around in public is not okay where I come from. He’s not her mate and I won’t stand by and watch a display of disrespect like that.” Max nodded.
“He’s here to apologize to Harper. It’s not okay with me either.” He gave Jake a look of disdain. “Are these all of the wolves from the bar that were involved last night?” Ryder looked them over and nodded. “Fine.” Harper stepped out onto the porch, stepped around Ryder, and went down the steps to her Alpha. Max wrapped an arm around her and turned away from Ryder. They took a few steps away from everyone. She nodded while he spoke and Ryder watched. His wolves fanned out across the porch behind him in various stages of undress. “Jake.” Max snapped.
“Harper I apologize for my actions last night. It won’t happen again.” He said mechanically. Insincerity rang in Ryder’s ears and a low growl rumbled through his gut. Jake glanced at him sideways then went on. “Really Harper, I’m sorry. I acted like an ass.” That was sincere, Ryder decided. She nodded. Max took Harper farther away from the porch but Ryder could still hear most of what he was saying.
“You know the rules Harper. You mourn for one year. You are not allowed courtship for one year either. Now, I know that is a fine looking wolf over there but keep in mind that he isn’t pack. You should stay in your own pack. We have plenty of fine males that will be willing to take you at the end of the year.” Harper stiffened and Ryder’s wolf grew restless wanting to go to her. “We’re going home now and Ellis has assured me that he will let you stay in your house for the year of mourning. No one will hold last night against you. I realize that you hadn’t had a good time in a long while so I’m willing to over look last night.”
“Max can I speak freely?” He nodded when she asked.
“Of course.” Max said.
“My mate was not my mate. He may have lived in my house but we hadn’t…for at least three years. He hadn’t worked because he was lazy, on drugs and screwing a bitch in town. His time was spent on the porn sites on the internet and with her while I worked. As far as I am concerned, I’ve been mourning him for the past three years and I won’t do it a moment longer. I don’t know if you were aware of what he was up to but I am alive and I have been doing the honorable thing all of this time. I could’ve dragged all of this out in front of the pack as soon as I knew it but I didn’t. I gave him the only ounce of respect his memory deserved. Now, I’m done. If that doesn’t suit you, I’m sorry. You said that I should stick with my pack? Well, Bronson Thibodaux ruined your pack for me and I am on the verge of considering it not my pack. My pack would stick up for me. My pack would take care of my needs, and my pack wouldn’t attack me in public. They wouldn’t humiliate me any further than my mate has already humiliated me.”
“Your pack is looking out for you.” Max said gently.
“Yeah? Where was my pack the other day when Bronson’s drug dealer told me that if I gave him a blow job we’d call it square?” She took a deep breath when Ryder growled. “Instead I emptied my wallet. When Ellis demands his rent in a few days, do you think he’s going to care about what happened? Will he care that I had to clear up Bronson’s illegal debts? No. He’ll want his rent and knowing Ellis, he’ll want a blowjob to square that debt.” Ryder’s growl deepened and the wolves on the porch grew anxious. “My pack isn’t looking out for me Max. I haven’t felt the love for years.” She dropped her head. “That wolf,” she nodded up at Ryder. “He has treated me better than any of you. He has staked claim. He has defended me, fed me, kept me warm and safe. I will accept his courtship, now. Not in a year, and there isn’t one wolf in your pack that interests me in the slightest. Not now, not then, not ever.”