“They have a couple of old trucks,” Mom answered, starting the car, and pointing to a shed next to the road. “I disabled them so they couldn’t flee.”
Dom opened the passenger door, ducking inside, “Go back to the motel. Anna’s mom is going to meet us there. She can stitch Jess up.”
“Stitch?” I repeated faintly and Dom turned to look at me.
“Yeah, you need stitches and a hospital will ask too many questions.” He caught sight of my expression and almost smiled before catching himself. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of getting stitches? After being shot, and shooting that guy?”
“She doesn’t like needles,” my mother informed him, outing me. “Hasn’t since she was a little girl.”
“That you remember,” I muttered, embarrassed by the fact.
“What if I promise to hold your hand?” Dom asked and I gave a reluctant nod.
“You’re not giving me a choice in this are you?”
“No, but I’m sure Trent will give you a sucker if you don’t cry.”
I stuck my tongue out at him as Mom turned the car around, and braced my shoulder against Caleb so he wouldn’t topple over.
“It’s been a long night,” I whispered, closing my eyes as the sun started to rise on the horizon. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jess
Two weeks later
“Are you positive you want to do this?” I fussed, popping a sucker in my mouth as I stared at Trent. “I mean you can take more time to think about it.” I nervously rolled the sucker stick between my fingers as the tart cherry flavor burst across my tongue. I was starting to see why Trent always had a sucker in his mouth. They were both delicious and gave my hands something to do besides strangle ornery wolf shifters.
“Yes, Jess,” Trent answered patiently, trading a long suffering glance with my mate. “It’s been decided.”
I couldn’t really argue. They’d both been prepping me for this moment. A moment I’d known was inevitable when Anna kissed Trent in the field. I just wished it wasn’t so soon. “I’m going to miss your snarky commentary,” I said, trying not to sound whiny, but failing if their expressions were anything to go by.
“Just think, I’ll never overhear you try to talk sexy to Dom again,” he said helpfully and my eyes narrowed.
“Try? I’ll have you know it was very successful,” I countered and Dom lifted his arms up.
“Alright, let’s stop there. Please.”
“Seconded,” Liam and Caleb answered in unison.
I heaved a sigh, but acquiesced. “Fine, but you will be missed,” I declared, trying and failing to stay unemotional.
“You’ve got the Cub Scouts over there.” He jerked his thumb toward Caleb and Liam. “They’ll keep you busy.” Trent smiled as he added, “Now that I’m leaving, you’ll need a new Beta.”
“Clearly, it’ll be me,” Caleb answered instantly. “I do have experience as an Alpha.”
“I’ve been in his Pack longer,” Liam argued, stomping over to Caleb, his limp barely noticeable, but we knew he’d have it for the rest of his life.
“Barely,” Caleb scoffed. “Like a week? Seriously, I’ve known him for years. I’m the best candidate.”
I leaned against Dom as Trent laughed at us with his eyes. “I vote Dylan,” I said, loud enough for them to hear. “He’s practically nonverbal and has a positive outlook.”
Their mouths dropped open as Dom settled his arm around me. “I think you’re right, Jess, but really who needs a Beta when I have you?”
I tilted my head, acknowledging the truth in that statement until Monster walked up, arms folded belligerently across his chest. “I thought I was your Beta!”
“You’re my junior Beta,” Dom rushed to assure him. “For the ten and under crowd.”
“I’m the only one,” Monster pointed out.
“You won’t always,” Dom told him, squeezing me closer. “One day you’ll be an uncle and have a bunch of pups to boss.”
“One day better be a long time from now,” Dad muttered, lifting his eyebrows at Dom as I whimpered, “A bunch?”
“There’s a reason they call them litters,” Trent winked, his sucker poking out against his cheek. Anna came up just then, saving him from my wrath, but my gaze promised retribution.
“Are we ready?” She asked, her voice composed and her bearing regal. I almost asked if she’d been taking lessons from my mother, but didn’t want to come off as rude. Anna’s grace had always been apparent and once she’d accepted her new role, it had showed immediately. With both of her parents on the Council and Caleb’s endorsement, she’d easily been accepted as the Navarre Alpha. It would be a change for all of the Pack, but a welcome one according to Sam.
She’d decided to stay on the Navarre Pack lands, since they were her family’s lands, and Hank had decided to stay with the Navarre Pack as well, citing that he was too old and set in his ways to have his son as his Alpha. I think the news had pleased Anna, and made her feel as if they truly accepted her.