ALPHA(31)

“So, mating and sex aren’t the same?”

“No.”

I made a mental note to delve further in to that when we were in a less public setting.

“And can they have children?” Children? Haven’t even had sex yet but already thinking about children. Standard Laura.

“It’s difficult, but not impossible. Although the woman finds it harder to get pregnant, the child is born a shifter and pretty much as healthy as can be. I’ve heard of it happening, it’s just rare. May I ask if there’s anyone in particular who has got you thinking of these questions?” She winked at me and I blushed.

“Is Jackson always so serious?” I tried to change the subject, and epically failed when Jasmine laughed.

“Jackson’s a little more difficult to describe. Don’t write him off as being miserable, though. He has a lot of pressure keeping this pack safe, and he feels his responsibility for everyone here. I’ve never seen him smile as much as since you arrived though, so I think you’re good for him.”

It was the next day and I had been mulling over my conversation with Jasmine, when Jackson had approached me and asked to introduce me formally to the pack now I knew about their secret. He had asked me to go with him to the pub where various members of the pack were waiting to meet me properly, and I was feeling pretty nervous. I’d met most of Jackson’s men briefly through my visits to town, and when they popped over to talk business with him, but it felt different this time. Jackson introducing me properly felt like this huge thing, and I had butterflies in my stomach as we had walked in to the pub. Just like that first night, all eyes had fallen on me, but with less hostile gazes this time. The first thing I noticed, was Logan working behind the bar. He gave me a quick wave, and went back to cleaning some glasses. It was then that I noticed the pub was full of men. I’d seen these men around town, but close up they looked even larger and more intimidating. They were stood around the room watching me, but with mild curiosity in their gazes, so I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.

“Okay, so I’ve explained what my men do, but I thought it would be useful for you to meet some of them, in case you need anything and I’m not available. They are not only my most trusted men who help me when I need advice but they also act as the local law enforcement, and hand out justice when they need to. If you ever need anything or you feel threatened in any way, then find one of these men. There will always be one nearby.” I saw the resolution in Jackson’s eyes and I knew he was still worried about who had set fire to the B&B, as they were no further on in their investigations. They knew that the Grove Pack were responsible, and were hanging around like a bad smell, but with shifters leaving no scent to other shifters, there was nothing for them to track, and it was stalling their efforts.

Jackson started pointing to various men in the room, and I tried so hard to remember their names but I knew I would forget them in about five minutes. Each of the men was huge, with built bodies that clearly showed a physical job, and various tattoos. They each had the paw print tattoo on their left hands, and now I knew what they were it made a lot more sense. Each of the men had longer hair apart from one guy who stuck out because his head was completely shaved. He also had a tattoo on his face by his right eye.

“Okay, so that’s Jacob, Max, Liam, Joseph, Mason, Nathan, Elijah, Leo, Lucas and Tyler.” Ah, the one with the shaved head. Okay, so I was going to try and remember their names but it seemed impossible at this point. The one named Tyler stepped forward with a grin, and shook my hand.

“Well, he didn’t tell us how beautiful you were.”

I smiled when Jackson growled beside me. If he getting jealous of the other guys then that was definitely a good sign. Tyler winked before stepping back, and Jackson turned back to face me.

“Everyone in the town now knows you are a member of this pack. Human or not, it doesn’t matter. They will treat you like pack or they will suffer the consequences.” God, he was hot when he got all bossy like that. My body heated and my face flushed with embarrassment as I worried he could use his shifter senses to detect how I felt. I blushed harder when I saw his lips turn up slightly, and I could tell that he knew the effect he was having on me. Dammit.

“The rest of my men are out working, but I can introduce you another time.”

“Sure.”

We walked back outside in to the late afternoon sunshine, and I was confused when Jackson pulled me in the opposite direction to the car.

“Where are we going?” I asked, as he took my hand and pulled me in to the trees.