Alpha's Mate

“Meant to be mine?” Lorna frowned.

Suzy gripped his arm, hoping to keep him … sane. She didn’t know. Her heart raced, and suddenly, there was another growl, and this time, Lorna stepped forward. Only, she didn’t step against Beast or her. She stepped in front of Beast, and growled at the women.

“Suzy has been mated. It doesn’t matter what you want. She is the alpha’s mate, and as such, you will show respect.” Lorna stood tall.

The power coming off her was intense.

Chloe and Rebecca were strong, but not as strong as Lorna. Even Rachel, who didn’t back down, looked shocked. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

Lorna gave them the ultimate insult as she turned her back on them. She looked at Beast with a smile before turning to Suzy.

“I offer myself as protection. I wish no harm come to her. She is a wonderful person, and will do amazing things for this pack. Her kindness is legendary. Our people will thrive.” She bowed down, going to one knee.

“But you wanted the position,” Suzy said.

Lorna lifted her head. “I always knew there was something special about you. Amazing sense of smell. I know what you can do, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes when we were growing up. You were able to find the tourist’s missing boy when no one else could. You gave me the credit for something you did. We’ve never spoken about it until now.” There was a murmur around the pack. “I speak of it now so they know how powerful you really are. You may not be able to turn, but that doesn’t make you weak. You are strong in many ways. I wanted to be his mate but only because he didn’t have one. I wanted to help make this pack strong, and be by his side. You are both mated. I can see the mark, and the bond you both have. No one should ever tear apart mates, and it’s a practice I’ve never agreed to or even wanted any part of. Love and mates, they go hand in hand, and you and Beast, you’re meant for each other.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she felt the emotions building inside her.

“I had no idea you felt that way,” she said.

“You’re a wonderful person, Suzy.” Lorna took her hand. “May I have the honor of protecting you?”

“Yes,” Suzy said.

Beast cleared his throat.

“If he says so, of course.”

Lorna chuckled. “This is going to be interesting.”

With Beast back at her side and Lorna on her other, Suzy was shocked as one by one, the pack knelt down, showing their respect and loyalty to the both of them.

Even Chloe and Rebecca did the same.

“Don’t worry about them. I will keep an eye on them and make sure they know their place.”

“Thank you,” Beast said. “This means a great deal to me, and I will never forget it.”

He nodded at each man and she smiled. She saw the happiness in his eyes as she did so.

This was what was supposed to happen. What she had hoped for.

As the men and women got back up, they all came toward them, hugging and congratulating them on their current mating.

By the time the moon was high in the sky, she pulled Beast to her and kissed him hard. “Go, run. I will stay here and cook you all some food.”

She watched them go, but Lorna stayed back. “I will run when Beast returns.”

“But you’ll miss the fun.”

“I pledged my loyalty to you. I will keep you safe, and it means more to me you staying alive than dying.”

Suzy gave her friend a hug. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for not leaving us or giving up. I know I’ve not been the best of friends to you, but I hope to change that.”

Suzy knew she was telling the truth. It was why she could trust her. For several minutes, she stood, watching into the darkness. A little yearning inside her wished she could go and join them, to enjoy the feel of the full moon, to have her wolf break out, but she wasn’t ever going to feel that.

Just as she was about to turn to leave, she heard the distinctive sound of a twig snapping.

Rachel was there with Chloe, both women naked.

“Lorna may think you’ve won, but there’s no way we’ll let you be an alpha’s mate. You’re an abomination!”

Suzy tensed as the two women pounced, but she didn’t feel a thing. Lorna was there.

“Big mistake.”

With one snap, she’d killed Chloe. Rachel had stopped.

“You shouldn’t have followed Chloe,” Lorna said.

Just as quickly, Rachel was tied up just as Beast came through the trees. “I saw what they were trying.” He rushed toward Suzy. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m all right.”

“I sensed them head back,” Lorna said. “I figured they would try something. Chloe’s dead, Alpha, I’m sorry.”