Page 128 of Crossed Fates

It had never been about disrespect.

It had been about protecting his wolves. The pack came first for him. Just as it should.

“I see why my brother picked you as his second,” I told him softly. “You’re loyal to the pack. Protective. Exactly what they need. And while we might not always see eye to eye, I don’t want a second who will just roll over and take it. I want a second who will push me onto the right path, even if it means facing my wrath.” I held out my hand again. “Thank you, Beta Hardt. For everything you’ve done for me and the pack.”

Shock washed over Hardt’s features, and I locked eyes with him again, giving him a glimpse of my trust in him. He straightened, his chin dipping in acknowledgment and acceptance of his role. His thoughts confirmed what his body already told me, but he gifted me another subtle display of submission by shifting his gaze downward. Then he gave Makayla a similar show of respect by bowing to her before returning to stand with our pack.

This seemed to trigger a ritual, one I’d never been around to witness but suspected had been done for my brother after I’d left all those years ago.

One by one, each of my packmates came forward to acknowledge me as their alpha. Some bowed. Some hugged me. Some kissed me on the cheek. Their gratitude and acceptance enhanced the sensation of belonging, welcoming me home and confirming there was nowhere else they would rather have me be.

My father stood last among them, his expression giving nothing away.

Silence fell over the crowd, everyone dying to know what their former alpha thought of the ascension.

He stepped forward, his stride sure, his movements powerful. He didn’t pull me into a hug; he yanked me into one, his arms fierce around my back as he held me hard and long against him. “You’ve become the man I knew you could be. I’m proud of you, son. And I know Tyler is, too.”

Such quiet words.

But passionate, nonetheless.

My heart stuttered, my breath failing me. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Alphas were meant to be strong, to balance the emotions of the weak. However, the sensations brewing inside him poured through the hive mind, bathing me in every ounce of his pride and happiness at seeing me finally take the mantle he’d always considered mine.

He practically shoved his thoughts at me, wrapping me up in his feelings and squeezing the life from my lungs.

Then he pulled away with a glimmer in his eyes, and the sensation ended abruptly, my father shutting the door to his mind and feelings.

My lips parted. “How…?”

He merely smiled. “Later.” He winked and moved to my mother’s side, who gave him a knowing smile.

My father’s still keeping secrets from me,I marveled, talking to Makayla. That link just automatically came to the forefront, making it easy to speak to her. The others required clear and concise thought. At least, I hoped that was the case, or the pack would be in on a lot of very personal conversations soon.

Yeah, he is,Makayla agreed, her own eyes narrowed because he’d shut her out, too.

“We’ll let you two… catch up on your sleep,” my mother said softly, her expression holding a few of her own secrets.

I almost commented on it, but the idea of being alone with Makayla strongly appealed to me. And from the chuckles in the crowd, several of my wolves knew why.

Rather than comment, I grabbed Makayla’s hand to tug her forward. She hadn’t anticipated my move, something I used to my advantage by lifting her by the hips and tossing her over my shoulder.

Several of my wolves howled in approval.

Makayla growled.

I slapped her ass and turned toward my cabin, not caring at all what the pack thought of my antics. With this damn link, they’d know exactly what I intended to do anyway. Or maybe they couldn’t sense me. I really didn’t know. And I wasn’t going to stand around and find out. I wanted to play with my mate. Alone. In my bed.

My wolf enthusiastically agreed with my plan. I sensed her wolf panting in agreement as well through our link. However, Makayla wasn’t quite so accepting… which only heightened my desire to dominate her.

Alaric Calder,she snapped through our connection.Put me down right the hell now.

I smacked her ass again, harder this time. “Not going to happen, baby.”

The pack disappeared behind us as we entered the house.

Opening and closing the door had required me to divide my focus just for a second—one Makayla took advantage of by whacking me in the kidney with her healed hand.

The blow knocked the breath right out of me, leaving me to wonder what it said about me that I found her behavior incredibly arousing.