Page 145 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

NIGHT

Bryn and I woke, still tangled in each other’s arms. I made a sound halfway between a growl and a purr and pulled her even closer so I could bury my nose in her neck. I loved the sound of her giggle, but I loved feeling it bubble through her chest even more.

“I’m glad you’re in bed with me and not making out with the toilet,” I joked.

She scoffed and pinched my forearm. “Watch it, you.”

I chuckled.

“I’m usually fine until I get up. That’s when the nausea hits.”

“Is there anything I can do to make it easier on you? I can make you tea all day, but if I could be doing more, I want to know.”

A breath shuddered out of her. “I think I just have to wait it out. Hopefully, the morning sickness and constant energy drain will ease up soon, and I’ll feel better again.”

My chest tightened at the thought of her just smiling through the pain. She deserved to be as comfortable as possible. “If you’d like some advice from someone who’s gone through this, you could talk to my mom. Apparently, she was sick through most of her pregnancy with me.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I think I will talk to her to see what she did to get through it.” She turned in my arms so we were chest to chest, wrapping her arms around my neck. “By the way, I wanted to talk about our future living situation.”

“Oh, yeah? Have you made a decision?”

“Yeah. I really don’t mind living here with you, despite everything.

I think you and I have made a lot of good memories to replace those old horrible ones.

But I can’t deny that it’s tempting to have a fresh start for our family in a place that has no baggage and only the memories we’ll make together. ”

“I get that,” I replied. We were in the room where she had been kidnapped, tied up, and threatened with rape by a monster.

I completely understood why she wanted a fresh start for our family.

“If you want a new place, I’ll find us the perfect spot to build a home or renovate one that already exists.

You say the word, baby, and I’ll find a spot today. ”

Her eyes softened, confirming that was what she truly wanted. Still, my sweet girl wanted to double-check with me.

“You’re absolutely sure you’re okay with not living in the alpha cabin?”

“I am positive. It’s so much more important that you can come home and feel safe—physically, mentally, and emotionally.” I kissed her neck and felt her pulse jump. “I have a question.”

“What’s that?”

“Should we live on King territory or Warg?”

“I don’t know. Maybe we should have a house on both territories.”

“I think that’s a good idea. We’ll figure out how to divide our time equally between the two.”

“I don’t mind staying in your cabin on Warg territory.”

“My cabin could use a good sprucing up. I didn’t bother to do that when it was just me, but for you and our pup, I’ll put in the work.” I kissed her neck again, more slowly this time. Bryn let out a small moan, and lust coiled in my stomach. “What’s on your schedule today?” I asked lazily.

“I want to visit the gardens today. More Wargs will be entering our territory after you become alpha, and I want to make sure we’re not short on our food stocks.”

“Sounds good to me. Just make sure you don’t work too hard.”

“I won’t, Night, I promise. The most I’ll do is some gardening, but I’ll have Mom there to keep an eye on me.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you,” I said, moving so I could kiss her lips. She opened her mouth, deepening the kiss. Things grew hot and heavy until she pulled back with a gasp.

“Oh! I can’t believe I almost forgot.”

“Forget what?” I asked, a little startled.

She rolled out of my arms to open the drawer of her nightstand. When she turned around again, she held out a paper bag.

“I got you something.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I bought it at a stall in the market.”

I watched her open the bag and remove a braided leather bracelet. It was the color of freshly roasted coffee before milk or cream was added, and there was a brushed red copper clasp to keep it closed.

“But I didn’t get you anything.” I looked from the bracelet to her, my eyebrows pinching together. “It’s not even my birthday.”

She laughed and sat up slowly, not wanting to trigger her nausea. “I wanted to show my appreciation for you and everything you’ve done for me. I bought something for Tavi, too, but I wanted to give yours to you last night. Hold out your wrist.”

I watched her open the clasp and wrap the bracelet around my wrist. “There,” she said, sliding the clasp shut with a slight click. “I was a little worried it wouldn’t fit, but it seems I got the right size after all.”

I never wore jewelry because it wasn’t my thing, but I had to admit that the bracelet suited me. It wasn’t bulky or flashy, and it sat comfortably on my wrist. It was exactly my style, and Bryn had picked it out for me.

My wolf yipped with pleasure at the gift, and a grin spread across my face. This was a precious gift because the woman I loved most had gotten it for me. I kissed her again, clutching her to my chest.

“I guess that means you like it?” she joked.

“Of course I do.” I kissed her again. “I don’t think I’ll ever take it off. Thank you, Bryn.”

Abit later, she and I got dressed and ready for the day. Bryn did get sick, but she assured me that she could follow through on her plan for the day.

I scoped out a few cabins and locations for cabins that had promise. Some were closer to the commons for convenience’s sake, one or two that were settled in the forest and closer to Warg territory, and some that were closer to Glenda’s cabin. I’d need to ask Bryn what she thought about them.

Looking at the locations and imagining what a future with Bryn and our pup would be like was a nice break from staring at financial accounts, stressing out about Troy’s whereabouts, and dwelling on the state of Samuel and his family.

I couldn’t wait to get in bed with Bryn and talk about our future.

When the two of us returned to Warg territory, we could have similar conversations about what needed to be done for the cabin.

I was standing near the commons again, only a few paces away from the Kings’ bank.

I still had things I wanted to do before the sun went down—namely, checking in with Dom and training for the alpha challenge—but for now, I wanted to go on a run.

It was the perfect way to cap off the last couple of hours.

I walked between the trees and started to jog.

Not so long ago, I had been laser-focused on taking over the Kings’ pack through whatever means necessary.

Now I was thinking about a future with my mate and planning the rest of our lives.

When I thought about the conversation we’d had the night before, I felt relieved that we’d agreed on how we wanted to handle disagreements moving forward.

It felt like we’d taken a step forward, and like I knew her better now.

After a couple of miles, I headed back to the compound. My heart was pumping, I felt exhilarated, and my mind was far away from the issues that usually plagued my mind. There were cabins in sight, and I was just a few yards away from the compound when I heard the sharp gasp of someone in deep pain.

It brought me up short. My wolf and I went on high alert, listening for another noise.

Moments later, I heard the sounds of a struggle.

I focused on the noises and sprinted toward them.

I cleared the trees in my way and found a pile of three men: the one lying on the ground was a Warg, a younger recruit who was here shadowing a fighter.

The two standing over him were Kings. It was an obvious ambush, and it sent my blood to a roiling boil.

I shoved the two Kings off the kid and stood in front of him. “What the fuck is this?” I demanded, glaring at the men.

They pushed themselves up to their feet. Their surprise quickly shifted to annoyance when they saw it was me who’d stopped their fun.

“We don’t want Wargs on our land anymore!” one of them spat. Given their builds, they were fighters.

“That’s the way you speak to an alpha? Are you stupid enough to think you could take me?”

“You’re not our alpha,” the other growled. He was already close to shifting—the glow of his irises revealed it. “Go back to your shitty territory and stay the fuck away from ours!”

I stepped forward but caught myself. These kids were idiots, and I figured situations like this were bound to happen when I took over their pack and merged them with the Wargs. I needed to seize this opportunity to set them right.

“I don’t control this pack, but I am an alpha, and you will yield to me,” I said in a low voice. I was tempted to call on my power as an alpha to make them submit to me, but that would only last as long as I held it. It wouldn’t ensure their obedience forever.

They hesitated for a moment. Then, to my surprise, they started inching toward me. Their eyes were glowing now, and suddenly I was in battle mode. I needed to protect the Warg lying at my feet, which presented some complications for a fight—

“Hey!” a new voice sounded from my right. I glanced in that direction and blinked. Lance was leaning against the tree with his arms crossed over his chest. “Mace, Charley,” he said. “Get out of here.”

The wolves—Mace and Charley, I guess—stood straight and faced Lance like he was their alpha. “L-Lance,” Mace stuttered, “we were only trying to—”

“I think I told you to leave.” Lance’s voice was icy, but he looked bored, like he was watching paint dry. “So go. Now.”

Mace and Charley didn’t argue. They inclined their heads in respect to Lance and shuffled off into the trees, heading back to the King compound.

Annoyance jabbed me in the ribs. Though I didn’t want to admit it, Lance’s stepping in was a bit of a blow to my pride. He had ended the fight before it had started, not me.

Instead of thinking too deeply about that, I turned my attention to the young Warg and crouched beside him. “Your name’s Ricky, right?”