Lengthening her stride, she caught up to Kieran so that he was no longer pulling her along but instead walking shoulder to shoulder. Lifting her chin, she tightened her grip on his hand and strode with purpose. She’d spent years living from meal to meal, sleeping in doorsteps and clawing for any scrap of safety. Werewolves were nothing compared to that fear.
Together they halted before the assembly.
“Thank you all for coming,” Kieran said, raising his voice so that it carried to every corner of the hall without needing a microphone. “The Clearwater pack has had another successful year with pack revenues rising nine percent. We’ve also welcomed fourteen of our young into adulthood this year. I’m also happy to report, all twelve couples who declared themselves at the last mating moon are doing very well. I hear there is even a babe on the way for the Larsens.”
A tentative round of applause followed what Chloe assumed to be the annual recap.
“I am pleased to see so many of us have managed to make it this year,” he continued when the applause died down. “This is a sacred time when we can come together as a pack. Relationships can be reforged, new love cemented by ties of mating, and our community strengthened by our time together.” He glanced her way before continuing. “You all know I am not one to share private details of my life, but I am going to make an exception tonight. You have a right to know why a non-wolf is present at our gathering. Chloe Donovan is a witch, it’s true, but she’d also the love of my life.”
She fought to keep her face impassive and not flinch at the false declaration. If he’d meant the words, she would have been beaming with pride.
“Though we will not be participating in this year’s mating moon due to our cultural differences and beliefs, I am hoping to woo her into staying by my side. I trust each of you will help me in my quest and welcome her. I know if you do, you will come to love her as I do.”
Chloe was so focused on the crowd that she didn’t notice Kieran reaching for her until he bent her backward, his mouth on hers. Feeling herself falling, she automatically wrapped her arms around him, responding instinctively to the hunger in his kiss.
Thunder pounded in her ears as his mouth slanted over hers. It took several seconds to realize it wasn’t in her head, but the roar of the pack pounding on the tables.
Pulling her back to her feet, he called out, “Let the retreat begin!”
More cheers. She pasted a smile on her face even as she made careful note who was applauding and who was stonily silent. Most of the howls came from what she assumed to be younger wolves. One table in the corner was silent, their disapproving eyes on her. There she noticed Julie and Darrel from the art gallery.
The senior wolves. Obviously they did not approve of a witch trying to win their alpha. She’d known going in not everyone would want her here. At least now she saw where her opposition lay.
By the direction of Kieran’s gaze, the wolf was picking up on the same thing she was.
“Ready?” he said to her.
“Always,” she replied.
Tossing her a grin, he led her toward the senior table while the noise levels in the cabin returned to where they’d been before her surprise appearance.
“Alpha,” the wolves murmured when they approached.
“It’s good to see you all,” he said. “Chloe, allow me to introduce you to my advisors. They help keep the pack stable.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
One chair had been set at the end of the table, obviously for Kieran. She glanced around to see where she could sit but the benches were completely full. Before she could wonder where she’d be eating dinner, Kieran gestured to one of the wolves who seemed to be on serving duty.
“Another chair,” he said.
The man bowed and hurried away to carry out the order.
“Chloe can sit beside me,” Julie said with a smile. “I’m sure we can make room.”
“Thank you,” he replied. “But I rather she stay beside me.”
Even she could see those words were like gas on a fire. As a chair was set beside Kieran’s at the head of the table, she could see this move was winning her no friends. After all, in the eyes of the pack she wasn’t his mate, just his girlfriend. She had no claim to the respect an alpha’s partner could demand.
Still, she took her seat, not wanting to cause more conflict. Plates of food appeared before them like magic and, despite her nerves, her mouth watered in anticipation.
“Has everyone arrived?” Kieran asked one of the men at his side. “Traffic delayed us.”
“A few families are due this evening. We’ll leave the guide fires lit until midnight.”