Page 6

6

Kaylee

Consulting the list of thirty rogues looking to join the pack, I focus on the skills each wolf has listed. Some wolves have skills such as farming and manual labor. These are definitely omegas who had left their old pack for one reason or another. The others are a mix of hunters and warriors who could help increase the pack’s strength.

Moving through the applicant list, I note that ten of the thirty rogues came from packs I remember dealing with when I was in Oak Fur. These packs are ruled similarly to Oak Fur—a patriarchal rule where she-wolves are made to guard pups and elderly wolves or work as omegas doing menial work. Males are meant to be obeyed without any questions or doubt. I have a feeling that these wolves left for their own personal growth and safety. I’m surprised that there are no pups on the list, but also happy that none had to go through the difficulties of being rogues.

After making sure that no one on the list had committed a grave crime, I emailed Amelia, recommending that we welcome these wolves in. I smile to myself. The pack consisted of thirty wolves when we arrived here just over three months ago. Now, Ivory Fangs is just over seventy wolves strong, and with the thirty wolves on the list and the fifteen refugees who survived the attack on Harvest Willow, we will reach close to one hundred and fifteen wolves. The pack has nearly quadrupled in size under our leadership, and each day, our wolves grow stronger, proving that strong leaders make a pack thrive.

Closing my computer, my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten much all day. Guilt creeps in as I think about how my pup relies on me to eat for it to grow inside me.

After checking the time and realizing that dinner should still be served downstairs, I leave my office and go down to the main floor towards the smell of food. The dining hall only has a few wolves remaining inside, looking haggard from a long day of work. I wave to a few of them before grabbing a plate and filling it at the buffet table.

“Kaylee?”

Turning at the sound of my name, I find Lucas standing behind me, with Simon beside him.

“Hey,” I greet him sheepishly, feeling the mate bond hum with Lucas being so close.

“I thought you were at your cottage,” Lucas says with confusion. I shrug, motioning for the two to follow me to the nearest table. The smell of food is causing my stomach to growl even more.

“I was, but something came up, and Amelia needed me in her office,” I explain as I sit down, quickly spearing some potato wedges on my fork and taking a bite. “Has Royce linked you yet, Simon?”

Turning my attention to my friend, he sighs and scratches his head as he looks towards the door.

“He did. Evette and I leave tomorrow for a hunt and should return the same day Kurt and the others do.”

I nod at his answer, fully focused on eating my meal. Lucas shakes his head, watching me, before leaving the table and heading towards the buffet.

“Are you excited for your first official mission?” I ask Simon, whose face transforms into a beaming smile.

“I am,” he answers immediately, making me chuckle. “As much as I liked beta training, I always liked hunting more,” he continues, his nose twitching.

He turns back to look at the dining hall entrance just in time for his mate to walk in. Evette spies us within seconds and quickly walks to where we sit, taking the empty chair between Simon and me.

“Hey. Simon told me what happened to cause Lucas to come barrelling in like a lunatic,” she greets, rolling her eyes.

“I can guarantee that if the mate bond calls out to Simon, he will do the same thing I did,” Lucas calls out as he joins us, frowning at Evette. He places two full plates on the table before sitting. After eyeing my almost empty plate, he chuckles and pushes one of the two plates he brought towards me.

“I figured one plate might not be enough for you,” he says to me, making me blush.

“Lucas is right. If the mate bond told me you were in danger, I would have done anything to make sure you were safe,” Simon agrees, reaching out to take Evette’s hand.

“Considering most of the wolves had to hold you back while Kaylee kicked my ass earlier, I don’t doubt it,” Evette retorts with a snort. It seems Evette has grown even more confident since our spar earlier this morning.

“Others had to hold you back?” Lucas turns his gaze of disbelief to Simon, who sheepishly looks away. After asking Evette if she’s hungry and avoiding Lucas’ question, Simon leaves the table to get food for Evette and himself. Lucas just scoffs and resumes eating while Evette and I shake our heads.

“How do you feel about leaving the pack for the first time?” I ask the she-wolf, watching her eyes light up.

“I’m really excited for it. I know I’m training to become a warrior, but being able to leave the pack to hunt sounds fun,” the she-wolf answers with a grin, her excitement spreading to me.

Evette and I discussed the items she would need to pack tonight for tomorrow’s departure, and I warned her about rogues and the best way to deal with them. Lucas watches on, his adoration for me coming through the mate bond and making me feel flustered.

During my conversation with his mate, Simon returns and silently places food in front of her. Neither of the men interrupts our conversation, and when dinner time ends in the dining hall, I hug Evette and wish her luck on her first hunting trip.

“Do you want me to walk you home?” Lucas asks as we leave the packhouse. He’s so close to me that the bond hums, making me want to curl into his side. I fight the instinct to plaster myself against him and turn to where I’d parked my truck.

“Marco and I drove here. But thanks for the offer,” I answer, turning to see a look of disappointment flash through Lucas’ eyes. I feel a smidgen of guilt creep in as I take in his sad expression. I know Lucas only has my best interests in mind—I can feel his concern for my safety through the bond. Maybe I should be just a little warmer towards him.

“Would you like to help me with something tomorrow if you’re free?” I decide to ask, watching Lucas perk up. It seems this little offer is what he needs—his love for me flows into the bond.

“What do you have in mind?” he asks, a grin on his face as he leans against the walls of the pack house.

“Amelia and I will be accepting another group of rogues that the Council has been housing into the pack. They should be here within a week, and we need to prepare for them,” I begin to explain, Lucas nodding as a thoughtful look fills his face.

“With David still away, we could use help going through the dorm rooms and available houses, as well as surveying the land to see where we can build more accommodation for further growth,” I continue, taking the keys to my truck out of my pocket.

“I can definitely help with that,” he agrees right away.

Relief washes over me. Just Amelia and I preparing for this new group of thirty would be too much work to handle. Having Lucas—someone trained as an alpha and with the skills to organize a pack—help us is a blessing.

“Good. When you are done with your patrol shift tomorrow, come to my office. I’ll have my truck to drive around and make plans.”

“Okay. I’ll link you when I’m on my way to your office,” he agrees, holding his hand out to me. Hesitating briefly, I clasp his hand in mine and shiver from the tingles the bond creates where our skin meets.

Lucas lets out a possessive growl, his eyes darkening for a moment—and part of me wants to submit to him. With reluctance in his eyes, he releases my hand and takes a step back, his nostrils flaring as he breathes heavily.

“Will you be okay?” he asks, his voice deep and husky, drawing me in. Deciding I need to distance myself from Lucas, I take a few steps back and notice him clenching his fist. He’s fighting his urges, and for that, I’m grateful.

“I’ll be fine. I can link you when I make it inside my cottage,” I answer. Lucas nods, his eyes on mine, and I suppress a gasp. The gray of his eyes has grown darker.

“I’d like that, Kaylee.” The way he says my name causes the bond to hum, and I realize that I’ll be in trouble if I don’t leave now. With a nod, I turn and make my way to my truck, feeling Lucas’ gaze on me until I’m safely inside my vehicle.

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I turn my car on and drive away. It’s clear that the healed mate bond will be troublesome to deal with. I just hope that I can handle it by the time I decide what Lucas and I are going to do with the pup growing inside me.