Page 44 of Chasing Savannah

Ryan’s head popped up. “Since when do you have a mate? Who is she?”

“She is the old Felix’s granddaughter.” Carlos’ voice sent a shiver of warning throughout the prowl link.

“She’s latent!” Someone shouted from the back of the gathering.

Grumbling started around the mound. One of Savannah’s many cousins growled and stepped forward.

“Would anyone like to challenge me again and see how strong a latent female can be?”

Excited chatter raised around the group and Carlos raised his hand for silence.

Ryan’s sister Mallory spoke up, her eyes conniving. “The mating is not complete, so it can still be undone.”

Brielle and Brianne both pushed to the front of the females and growled loudly into Mallory’s face.

“Watch your words, girl, you’re talking about our kin.” Brianne pointed her finger into Mallory’s chest.

Brielle lifted her lips showing her canines. “I don’t know how you do things in the city, but here, we don’t play about that.”

A loud yowl accompanied the woman’s words, the females agreeing.

Carlos looked to Derrick, very happy that his second in command had them start the Tribond before they left their mate. He knew that if her scent had not been intertwined with theirs, the female could’ve possibly swayed more people to their side. Especially since Savannah was latent. Not everyone would want a latent female over the prowl. Anger had him clenching his fists. It was already going to be hard enough to convince his mate that they were meant to be together. She would know how hard it was for a latent panther to become Alpha female, and gossip around the prowl would fill her in on the rest.

Carlos lifted his hand again for silence.

“Our mate will not be put aside and the next person to suggest otherwise will be put in their place.” Derrick growled next to him.

Carlos nodded. “I won’t set aside a fated Tribond to play politics to an Alpha who has no care for his own prowl.” He turned his back on the siblings and caught the eye of Jeremiah.

The old Felix and his mate were along the side of the crowd with the other elders. Jeremiah nodded to him in approval.

He jumped back up onto the alpha mound. “We’re actively finishing the prowl building renovations and it will be ready for those of you who want to live in the prowl house. For now, though, I want all single females in the building, and the Beta will make a roster for patrolling the mating housing. Laura will coordinate to get people into finished apartments, and we will all work together to get rid of the threat.” His gaze roamed over the crowd, conveying his concern.

He looked over to Ryan and his sisters and knew his Beta had been right to protest their joining the prowl. He should’ve listened.

“Be careful as you go about your business. And keep a special eye out for traitors.” He pushed down his alpha power, and the trio paled and exposed their necks.

He ignored them as the rage of the alpha flowed through him and down the prowl link. He threw back his head and yowled, calling his cat forward. He knew the best way to calm the prowl and bring closeness was a run. His cat’s power rushed over him and he shifted into a panther. The prowl followed his lead and changed along with him. Looking around, the prowl shifted and pushed the weaker members and the latents in the middle of the group as they set off for a run.