The male’s foresight was what made him a good alpha. Rex had never wanted to settle down until recently. About a year ago to be exact. He felt as if he’d been roaming around aimlessly for so damn long, never fitting in anywhere. Certainly not with his own kind. When he’d run into Grant a year ago, it’d been good to see the alpha—even when the male had punched him in the face for taking Talia out. “The thought is surprisingly appealing.”
Grant’s mouth quirked up in that obnoxious alpha way of his.
“I will not be submissive.”
Grant snorted. “I don’t want that. You’re powerful and a good ally and you’ll never be a threat to take over the pack since you’re not a shifter. We’ll never have a power struggle in the sense that matters to my wolf.”
Rex nodded, understanding. He could literally never be alpha of a shifter pack because he was a vampire. No wolves would ever follow him—and it wasn’t in his temperament to be a leader of a group anyway. “Would I live within the compound?” He was still trying to wrap his head around the possibility.
“I would prefer you did. There’s an empty place right next to Margery’s.” Grant’s voice was deadpan, but Rex knew the mention of the beautiful wolf was intentional. “Wherever you reside, we can make changes so it’s suitable for your sleeping needs.”
Grant’s pack lived and worked vampire hours so it wouldn’t be that difficult to fit in with their pack life. “Why did you send me with the females last night?”
The alpha frowned, possibly picking up on the edginess in Rex. “I saw the way you looked at Margery.”
Rex gritted his teeth, not liking that he’d been that transparent. But more than that, his presence had distressed Margery and that made him more than edgy. “She was hurt by my kind. You should have told me. If I’d known I’d have never ridden in the backseat. My presence had to have made her feel vulnerable.”
Grant’s expression didn’t change, but his wolf flickered in his gaze. “I didn’t think of it like that. Shit.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m an idiot. I saw the way you both looked at each other and I thought…” He let out another curse and stood. “I owe her an apology. Wait, she told you what happened to her?”
Rex nodded, not moving from his position as Grant sat back down. “Yes.” Now the alpha looked truly surprised. Before he could respond, Rex continued. “I’m planning to court her. Is there anyone else in the pack interested in her?” Not that he cared, but he wanted to know if he had competition.
“There are males interested, but none she’s interested in. Damn, court her? You’re serious.”
Rex flicked a gaze upward. “Does your mate eavesdrop?”
“Always, but she won’t repeat anything you say here.”
Rex decided to be blunt, to trust this male in a way he rarely trusted anyone. If he was going to join this pack—and he was pretty certain he would—he had to open himself up to the alpha. “I think she’s my mate. I’ve never responded to a female like that before. My fangs ached, my—” He cut himself off; Grant didn’t need to know everything about his visceral response.
“Her eyes went pure wolf when she saw you. I’ve never seen her do that before.”
Rex hadn’t noticed, but she’d barely glanced at him. The revelation was interesting and welcome. “I plan to pursue her hard.”
“Good.”
One simple word. All Rex needed to hear. He’d be doing it with or without the alpha’s approval but he was glad the male knew of his intention. “I will give you an answer soon.” But first he had to see if there was a possibility of a future with Margery. He couldn’t be in a pack with her if she rejected him. Something primal and raw inside him couldn’t bear it if she did. He couldn’t be faced with seeing her day in and day out if they had no future.
Margery pounded the dough against the prep station, wishing it was her irresponsible packmate Sapphire. Okay, Sapphire wasn’t actually irresponsible, but she’d promised to help out at the bakery tonight then gotten called back to the Crescent Moon Bar to work. Margery still had Sarah out front assisting the customers, but that meant Margery was stuck in the back baking all night—because there was no way she was letting Sarah take over her kitchen.
That was the one bad thing about being in a pack. Sometimes they got stretched too thin. Max needed the help at the bar and because of his position Sapphire had to help him over Margery.
Margery wanted to fume about that but knew that the truth was, if she’d asked Max, he’d have let Sapphire stay on and he’d have dealt with the mess at the bar. But she was in a mood tonight and felt like mentally berating anyone and everyone.