Page 82 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“Oh, they are the ones we went to the club with?” he asks.

“Yes,” she says. “Listen, I don’t allow any harassment of Sunset Hills pack members. My brother is allied with Alpha Marcellus, and they are really good friends. I like this place here a lot. I have friends here, and my own friends are very much on my page. It’s a very private party, nothing big, and we usually just hang out around a bonfire and have a barbecue. The only one I had to invite despite not wanting to“- she grimaces briefly - “is Isla, but you know she’s the beta’s daughter and all that.”

I can feel Benji tense next to me, which is when it strikes me, that’s the name of his former mate! It seems he really hasn’t told anyone about it, not even his friend, Nova. He must have been so embarrassed… a sentiment I can fully sympathize with. Aside from sympathy, I also feel a wave of sudden anger. It’s like it makes something stir in me, an unknown power. Instinct takes over. I will show that jerk of a former mate what she is missing out on, and that no one hurtsmymate! He is mine, my handsome, strong and kind mate.

“If you want to go,” I tell Benji. “I’d be happy to accompany you.”

“Really?” he asks, surprised.

“Yes, I think it would be fun to meet your friends.”

Even if Isla is there?He links me. It still feels weird to have someone link me. In my old pack, no one truly bothered.Won’t you mind? I don’t want to belittle you or have you feel off. She doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.

And still, he is only thinking about anyone else but himself.

I don’t mind.I say.I want to go there with you. I want to get to know your friends better and learn more about you.

My words seem to make him happy. When he smiles, it lights up his face. Goddess, if he ever rejects me, I don’t think I would recover from it.

*MARCELLUS*

When I come home from training, Silas has prepared a fancy, multi-course lunch for me. It’s all my favorites, salmon tartar,juicy spareribs and lots of mashed potatoes. I turn to my handsome mate. “Hot stuff,” I mutter. “Are you trying to soften the blow, or why did you cook like royalty is visiting?”

Silas stares at me. “Did you just call me hot stuff?”

I can see his eyebrow ticking slightly, grinning to myself. I knew he would like that endearment.

“Well, you are hot,” I tell him.

“Call me hot stuff again, and I’ll take your lunch away,” he grumbles. The tips of his ears are slightly red, though, indicating that he is indeed quite charmed by my attempt at teasing and flirting with him. I make sure to hug him from behind.

“You are such a prickly cactus sometimes,” I murmur into his hair. “But I love you, and you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Why do you need to get all cheesy over lunch?” he groans. “And why do you never get embarrassed by being so corny?”

“It’s a gift,” I grin.

“Let’s have lunch,” Silas says instead of commenting on my words further.

“Right, and then you can tell me what you originally wanted to tell me, before you decided to bribe me with food,” I point out.

Silas sighs when he sits down. He is a way smaller eater than I am, but he loves cooking, and I love his food. So, it’s clearly a win-win, though I win more than he does. That much is clear.

“Alright,” Silas starts carefully. “Please don’t get mad.”

“Why would I get mad?” I ask, surprised. “And since when were you worried about that?”

“I am worried about hurting you,” he says, my surprise growing.

“Silas, please just tell me.”

“Alex called,” he says. “He met with…“ Silas clears his throat. “Julianus.”

“Your ex almost-beloved?” I ask.

“Exactly. My backstabbing, ex almost-beloved,” he adds. “They found another child, you know?”

“Wait a moment, Aloysius has another kid out there?” I ask.