New Alpha – New Rules(24)

“You’d like that party though, with the barbeque and…cake?” His brows rose and he smiled at her. “Dancing, then a private escape to our room, to a bed not a mattress.” She thought about it and nodded. “Okay. Then we wait. We’ll finish this room, set up my bed and arrange a party. What can I give you for a mating gift?”

“A gift? I’ve never heard of a mating gift. The mating is the gift.” He chuckled.

“No darling, I will give you something, or do something that is only for you. When Cindy and Mathew mated, I gave them an SUV. Granted it was two years old and mine but it was new to them and they still have it. Lucy was born in the back of it.” He laughed, “Which is just fine because I think she was conceived in there too.” Harper stifled a giggle. “Come on. She probably needs help with dinner and I have things to attend to, I’m willing to wait but not forever.” She grimaced. “You’re safe for now.” Ryder stood and pulled her to her feet then kissed her lips chastely. “Come.” He pulled her toward the door.

She walked slowly behind him thinking about the things he’d said. He was so sweet and nothing like Bronson. He would be better at all of it, he was already better at all of it. He’d shown control and caring for her. That was more than her first mate did. Looking back, she should have rejected Bronson the second day they were mated. He shouldn’t have mated anyone, ever. He was a terrible human being and a lousy wolf.

She turned the corner into the living room where Nicole was facing off with Ryder. Wow. Harper wouldn’t ever do that with an Alpha. Well, maybe if she were mated to him but not in front of other pack members. It was disrespectful. It was about her. Crap. This she-wolf was gorgeous on the outside but she was as ugly as it gets on the inside.

“You know you are fated to mate with Kelly. I want that new bitch gone!” She screeched, clearly out of control. Her eyes flashed in warning.

“I’ve told you a hundred times that I am not mating with a child. I am not fated to mate her. That is something that you created in your delusional mind.” Nicole’s gaze went past him now to Harper and her eyes flashed again. Harper lifted her chin. If that bitch shifted, Harper wasn’t sure what she should do. She’d only been here a day. Should she shift and protect herself or let Ryder protect her?

Then like a streak, Nicole shifted mid-air and leaped for Harper. Ryder was on her in an instant, before Harper had a chance to shift. He had Nicole pinned by the throat at Harper’s feet. The wolf looked up at her. Harper watched unsure of what it wanted.

“He’s asking your permission honey.” Cindy was at her side now. “It’s up to you.”

“What is?” Harper’s brow furrowed but her gaze never left the wolf’s eyes. Those beautiful brown and golden flecked eyes. The gold was more dominant now she noted and there was grey there too.

“Her fate. If you say so, he will snap her neck or let her go, it’s up to you.” Harper shook her head. “I’d vote for the neck snapping but she has pups that aren’t full grown yet.” Cindy murmured. The room was filling with pack members now including Nicole’s pups. Harper shook her head.

“Let her go.” Ryder’s beast loosened his jaw and let go of her. She whined loudly. He shifted and stood up to face Harper. He held his arms out and she went to him.





Chapter 9


“It’s okay sweetheart.” Tears streamed down her face now. “It’s okay. She won’t bother you again. Will you Nicole?” He said over his shoulder. Harper heard her harrumph and stomp from the room. When he finally let his arms drop, they were alone. “You showed mercy when you didn’t have to, you’ll make a good female Alpha.”

“No. Cindy is your female Alpha.”

“Cindy is a pack member that likes to break rules. She could never be the Alpha of this pack. You though, have a good head on your shoulders and you stay calm in situations that are out of your control. That’s Alpha material. Now, go help Cindy with supper. I have to get a room ready.” He smacked her bottom half-heartedly and went to find his pack. Harper wandered into the kitchen to find Cindy.

“Need some help?” Cindy smirked.

“You know it. Do you hunt much?” Harper considered the question.

“I do, I’m very bad at it. My mate did most of the hunting and I did most of the working. Why?”

“Well, we need meat for one and you didn’t shift for two. I found that odd that a wolf didn’t shift when she was about to be attacked by another.”

“I can shift. I was still deciding what to do if she did. I knew that she would but I didn’t know if I should, I just got here.”