The Alpha's Other Woman by Vielle Nye (read a book .txt) 📗

"She looks about as happy as you did when we met," Carrie commented with a smirk.

"Will you ever let that go?"

"Probably not...although maybe you could find a way to convince me if you try really hard." Her voice was heavy with promise.

"I guess I could. Are you feeling as tired as I am?" Now seemed like the perfect time to start convincing her to forget.

"How tired are you?” Her smile barely peeked out.

"Very very tired. I think I might need to go straight to bed."

"I'm so tired you might have to carry me there." The suggestive tilt of her lips only made her more enticing.

"Maybe I'll throw you over my shoulder and drag you off to my cave."

"Still not sexy," she said.

"Then why are you turned on?"

I pretended her eye roll and pout weren’t hilarious. "I always am with you."

"Then I'm a lucky bastard."

I took her hand, wondering if she would be angry if I took her teasing literally and carried her up to our room again, but then she suddenly stiffened. Instantly alert, I followed her gaze.

Asshole Dane was walking towards us, stiff and tense. My wolf was instantly on edge at the sight of him, and his wary stance. I got to my feet and shifted myself slightly in front of Carrie, ready to protect her if need be. My wolf howled to attack first, but I wouldn't do it unless he provoked me.

Plus, his little blond mate was also with him, along with five other Greenwoods pack members. They outnumbered the four of us—and Carrie didn’t count because she would not be joining any fight considering she was carrying our pup, whether she wanted to or not—but maybe the members from Lightwood would back us up if he made trouble.

It wouldn't be good for her if I started that trouble, so I'd hear the asshole out first, and only then would I break his face if need be. I sort of hoped I would need to. His inflexible face looked satisfyingly punchable. My knuckles begged to test that observation.

Asshole Dane got really close to me, and I tensed in readiness, ready in case he decided to lunge.

A moment of tension passed, and then he extended his hand. I looked at it for a long moment of surprise, and then shook it tentatively. He squeezed a bit harder than was strictly necessary, but otherwise it was a fairly normal gesture.

"Congratulations on your win," he said. "I doubt our packs will ever be close friends, but I hope there will be peace between us, and you've got an ally in Greenwoods if you need one."

I glanced at my mate to get her take on his words.

"I think...he's being genuine. He’s a pompous asshole, an insensitive jerk, and completely inferior to you, but he loves rules and has this sort of honour code as an alpha."

I wasn't quite convinced. "What's in it for you, Alpha Dane?"

"Well, I do suspect your pack will become a force in time, so my descendents will thank me."

His flouncy mate jabbed him in the ribs and stared up at him with wide blue eyes.

He exhaled heavily. "And I'm glad Carrie found a place where she'll thrive." He looked at my mate, and I had to resist the urge to step in front of her again to block his line of sight. How dare he even look at Carrie after everything? "I'm sorry for how I handled everything. I failed you in many ways. And congratulations on finding your place.”

Carrie nodded at his words. “Thank you.” She met the other luna's eyes. "And I am sorry for the challenge. I just lost my temper, Luna Heidi."

"I understand. It wasn’t a good situation."

Asshole Dane continued. "And I believe that the bonds between our packs will only strengthen with time." He nodded to one of his members. "My fighter John and his mate Samantha have informed me of their intention to transfer packs."

Carrie's excitement spilled through the bond. The one who I assumed was John looked at Carrie. "Sam really misses you, and she says you need medical staff."

"Absolutely," Carrie said. "Of course we'll accept you two!"

John grinned.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Carrie's parents are the next to transfer since both their kids are gone. I believe they're debating which pack. I'm sure you'll hear more about that. But I'll let you get back to your celebrating."

"See you soon," John said, and the Greenwoods wolves left.

After they were out of sight, Carrie turned to me and threw herself into my arms. "You know, I'm still not ready to stop calling him Asshole Dane yet," she said with a laugh.

"Me neither."

But things were going in our favor, and I wasn't going to question it, I would just enjoy it. With a quick movement I swept up my laughing, protesting mate and carried her off to our room.