Once Mated Twice Shy(23)

“I don’t want the job.” Terry spat. “Jordan is your alpha. He won it fair and square. He’s been doing it less than a month and you’re ready to toss him out because he’s fighting with his mate. She’s not his mate though is she? She’s not marked so they aren’t mates. She is a pack member. He does this all while he tries the rest of us? Did it ever occur to you all that Jordan would’ve patrolled that grocer’s if it were any of your mates? You should give him more time.”

“I’m sorry Terry but we’ve decided. If you don’t want it, we will find someone who does.” Terry nodded. Lettie clambered to her feet and walked forward to the front of the room. Her knees felt like rubber and her throat was closing up. She hated speaking in front of a group. This was her worst fear and she had to confront it, for him. There were gasps and murmurs from all around her and she nearly turned and bolted.

“I’m sorry if I caused you all any trouble. I will pack my things and leave if it will make all of this go away. Jordan is a good alpha, no matter how much I didn’t want him to be. He wanted to do this for me you see. He thinks that I need all of this but I don’t and it’s been the cause of our separations. Did you all know that he’s spent most of his days in the office trying to straighten out a mess that’s been building for nearly twenty years? Probably not. You all just want your lives undisturbed and to go along without any problems or troubles. Yes, he protected me. Yes, he should’ve been here. I am the one that you should be mad at. I took up too much of the alpha’s time. I was a selfish wolf. I haven’t felt like a part of this pack for a long time so I’ll go. You have his total dedication. He gave up his mate for all of you. At one time, I thought he would be mine forever, all mine but he’s not. This pack is his mate, it’s more important than anything or anyone else. You should give him six months and see what he can do. He’s already saved twenty homes in here, and you’ll have power all winter, which you wouldn’t have had. I never thought that the members of this pack were this selfish.”

“You can’t leave.” Mark said. “You belong here.” Lettie’s tears fell over her cheeks and she shook her head. She wolves surrounded her, trying to comfort her.

“Colette. I’m rescinding. I’m yours. We’ll go somewhere else and start over.” Jordan came to her breaking through the group of wolves to get to his mate.

“No one wants you to leave Jordan.” Mark stepped forward.

“My mate feels unwanted because of the mentality of this pack and my stupidity. We can’t stay where she feels that way. I know that our relationship is confusing to all of you but here’s the thing, it’s none of your damned business. The only people who need to understand our relationship is us.”

Lettie looked up at Jordan with wide eyes. He’d just defended her to the pack after she’d rejected him. He rescinded his position. He was going to take her away from here and start over. Jordan Giroux really did love her!

“Jordan, I think that the pack wants another vote.” Many members were murmuring and getting antsy in their seats. “Can you excuse us for a few minutes?” Jordan gave him a curt nod and left the room. Lettie followed him out. “Lettie, you are entitled to a vote.” Mark called after her.

“Do what you want.” Jordan went upstairs to the living room and poured himself a shot of whiskey. Lettie watched him but he ignored her. “Jordan?” His eyes flashed. “Did you mean all of that? That we would go somewhere else and start over? You would rescind your position as alpha?” He nodded and threw the whiskey back. Lettie bit her lip while he poured another.

“I just hope that I didn’t waste all that money on an unappreciative pack. It would be a shame after all of the scrimping and saving you did. When I think about all of those peanut butter sandwiches that you ate just to save some money for a bunch of people who…”

“It’s okay. Pack comes first. We both know that.” Lettie said quietly.

“No. Pack comes second. Mates come first. I get it now.” He tossed the third shot back and put the whiskey away. “You should get ready for bed, you’re exhausted.” Lettie nodded and went to her room. Jordan went back to the meeting and she curled on her side watching the hall. When he finally came back, he went straight to his room and locked the door. Was he still the alpha? Did they vote him in or out? Curiosity was killing her. Lettie went to his door and knocked. Jordan did not answer. She knocked again but he ignored her. Her brows furrowed and she went back to bed.