Page 1 of Destined Mate (Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain)

Chapter One

Jerome

JEROME STOOD on the edge of the forest, his gaze fixed on the stone circle illuminated by flickering torchlight.

The thick canopy of trees above him blocked out most of the moon’s silvery glow, creating a somber atmosphere. The rustling leaves and chirping cicadas provided a stark contrast to the stillness in the clearing.

A powerful alpha werewolf stood in the center of the stone circle. The moonlight danced off his white fur, illuminating the blood that coated his muzzle and dripped to the ground. Around him, torches blazed, sending plumes of smoke into the air and casting eerie shadows.

Anger radiated off the wolf as his gaze centered on the lifeless body of the wolf at his feet. The oppressive heat of the humid night air only added to the tension of the moment.

And yet, amidst all this chaos and violence, not a single breeze stirred. The stillness only amplified the intensity of the scene unfolding before Jerome’s eyes. His heart raced as the alpha shifted into his human form.

Death surrounded the other male as he stood in the center of the circle.

Blood seeped into the compacted earth beneath the surviving alpha’s feet, staining it an ominous hue in the carnage’s aftermath. The once pristine surroundings were now littered with three broken bodies.

Death had not come easily to any of the three. Intestines and body parts lay scattered about, a gruesome sight. The sharp metallic scent of blood and feces mixed with the acrid smell of smoke.

It filled Jerome’s nostrils, overwhelming his senses. His body trembled as he tried to process the devastation before him. Glowing eyes of onlookers watched the lone wolf’s every move. Gurgling screams from the dying shifters still echoed in Jerome’s head.

Even though the winning alpha’s adversaries had paid the ultimate price, he hadn’t gotten off scot-free either. His blood also soaked into the ground, which was only appropriate since he’d won the challenge. Now he was truly part of the land for which he’d fought and claimed.

Not all the alpha’s wounds had healed when he’d shifted. He needed food and another shift to repair the remaining damage Jerome could see through the blood and gore that painted his naked flesh.

Even his hair clung to his skull, and Jerome could no longer tell its natural color. The blood dripping off the ends snaked down his back—a very muscular back. A very sexy back.

Then he roared his victory to the night sky, the sound ringing across the otherwise silent land as a warning to the surrounding shifters that this was his now.

The power stunned Jerome. And for the first time in a long time, his cock stirred.

Having made his point, the alpha’s gaze swept across the circle, making eye contact with every member of the pack he’d just taken control of. Then those dark eyes fell on Jerome, and he shivered underneath the intensity of that gaze.

Blood dribbled into the winning alpha’s eyes, and he carelessly wiped it away. But he never broke eye contact with Jerome. Then he licked his fingers and smiled. Dimples popped out, and Jerome’s desire turned into a burning need.

As the alpha approached him slowly, Jerome’s breath hitched in anticipation and the primal urge to submit grew. The sexy wolf gently pressed a thumb against Jerome’s bottom lip, opening his mouth before allowing their lips to collide in a heated kiss.

Then the kiss ended, and the alpha roared again. The onlookers around the ring joined him, their voices full of joy and acceptance. A wave of anxiety, shock, and relief invaded Jerome as he also linked with him—the new alpha of his pack and his mate.

“My name is Wesley Valentino, and as the winning alpha, I claim this pack as mine, and it’s alpha mate as mine, too.”

There was a howl.

And another.

And another.

And suddenly alarms sounded.

What?

Opening his eyes, Jerome jerked up in bed, the name Wesley ringing in his head as the vision faded. Confusion and something hot swept through him, but it didn’t take long to realize the alarms he heard were not part of the vision.

Jerome’s heart pounded as he vaulted out of bed, the remnants of his vivid dream swiftly replaced by urgent reality. The bedroom was dim, lit only by the moonlight slicing through partially open blinds, casting long shadows across the rug.

Sirens screamed through the night air, warbling high-pitched warnings that hurt his sensitive ears. He rushed toward the window, peering out into the chaos.

The brisk sounds of distant engines and shouting greeted him, along with figures darting between buildings in the compound—shadows moving stealthily. He knew those were not pack members because they smelled wrong.

“We’re under attack!” Jerome shouted to his mate. “What in the hell is happening?”

Li Li threw on clothes. “I have no idea but—”

“Don’t. Just don’t. I might be an omega, but I’m just as capable of fighting as any other wolf here.” Jerome pulled on night pants. He tried not to let his annoyance show in his tone, but he was tired of being considered less because of what he was.

Li Li stepped up to Jerome and rested her hand against his cheek. “I know, my dear. All I was going to say was to be careful. Yes, I’d rather you not get involved, but you know that.”

Jerome gritted his teeth but didn’t say another word because to do so would be to disrespect his alpha. And he would never do that. What she left unsaid was she didn’t want him to get involved because he was an omega.

Because of how he was born, he wasn’t as big as a beta in height or weight, but he had fangs and claws just like the rest of them, and he knew how to use them.

“I’ll be careful, my Alpha. Please, do the same.” Jerome hurried after Li Li as they left their bedroom.

With a quick kiss to his cheek, Li Li disappeared into the chaos.

As he rushed from their cabin, Jerome’s heightened senses took over. The smell of the intruders filled his nostrils—bitter and sharp against the backdrop of damp earth and pine. The sounds of battle filled the air. Growls and shouts echoed through the pack’s stronghold.

The scent of smoke hinted at fire.

He saw several pack members emerging from their cabins in various states of dress, eyes wide with confusion and fear—or hardened by determination.

“Jerome!”

Marcia suddenly appeared in front of him. She was one of the senior fighters among them and huge for a female beta. “Where is Alpha Li Li?”

Jerome waved his hand toward the darkness.

“Right.” Marcia moved swiftly to his side.

“What’s happening?” Jerome asked. Now that she’d spotted him, she wouldn’t leave, and he knew it was pointless to suggest it.

“We’ve got intruders,” Marcia said tersely. “I don’t know how many, but I know what they are.”

Jerome opened his mouth to ask what when the answer smacked him in the face. Hunters. He’d never met one, but he’d heard in the many meetings that the San DeLain leaders held that there was no mistaking that scent. They were right.

“Fuck.”

“Got a whiff of them, I take it?”

“Yes.”

“This was coordinated.”

“This is insane, that’s what it is. They’ve never outright attacked our pack before! Why now?”

“And are we the only ones?”

Jerome gulped. He hadn’t stopped to consider that. What if they were the only pack attacked? In fact, what if they were the only paranormal group attacked?

“Alpha mate!” a young wolf gasped, out of breath as she stumbled in front of Jerome. “Mom said it’s hunters and they came from the eastern side of our territory and—”

Jerome dropped to his knees in front of the young wolf. What was she doing outside, all alone? “Where are your parents?”

“I-I don’t know. Dad left to help, and Mom was fighting a hunter and, and she then told me to run, and, and—”

Oh gods. “Mary Sue? That’s your name, isn’t it? I need you to go to the safe room. Try to gather as many pups as you—oh hell, I can’t let you go alone. Never mind, we’ll go together.” There was too much that could happen to her out there in the darkness.

Standing, Jerome held his hand out to the young wolf. Mary Alex immediately grasped his hand, and he guided the pup toward their destination, Marcia covering their rear.

As Jerome led Mary Alex through the chaos, the scent of blood, the crackle of flames, and the distant shouts and growls painted a dire picture of their situation. His mind raced with thoughts of Li Li and the others. How many had fallen? How many would survive the night?

As they rounded a corner close to the central square, Jerome spotted several wolves fending off a group of hunters.

Amidst them was Li Li. Her fur stood on end, and her lips were curled back in a snarl as she lunged at an attacker. Her movements were precise and deadly. Seeing Li Li in action boosted Jerome’s spirits, despite her being outnumbered.

“Just round this bend.” Jerome tugged Mary Alex’s hand gently but firmly as he encouraged her to move.

When they reached the designated safe room hidden beneath one of the old utility buildings, he found it already crammed with pups and a few older wolves huddled together. They turned toward Jerome as he entered, hope mingling with fear in their glances.

Crouching down to make eye contact with Mary Alex, Jerome reassured her softly, “Stay here, okay? I have to go back out there. You’re safe here. Just, please, stay put.”

He could see the reluctance in her eyes at being left behind, but she nodded silently and moved to sit amongst a cluster of younger wolves.

Jerome didn’t hesitate. He headed back outside, Marcia with him, his bare feet pounding against the compacted dirt as he transitioned from human agility to wolf speed mid-stride.

The change rippled through him like a shockwave as muscles and bones reconfigured. Feeling the power of his wolf surge within him, Jerome bolted toward the skirmish with all the stealth of an EF5 tornado.

As he moved closer, Marcia raced ahead of him, jumping into the brawl taking place that Li Li was involved in.