Page 19 of Destined Mate (Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain)
Chapter Eleven
Wesley
THEN THE entire pack howled their acceptance and allegiance to their new alpha. The call began as a low rumble, a sound that quivered with relief but also excitement, and quickly grew in intensity.
The voices of dozens of wolves melded together into a singular, throat-chilling cry that filled the night. The air vibrated with the sheer force of their voices.
The cries moved like a wave, cresting and falling in perfect harmony until it almost seemed as if the very ground pulsed with the sound.
This was Wesley’s pack now.
The call echoed into the night, and a few seconds later, he sensed the initial, hesitant stirrings of a pack bond beginning to form. It was a gentle, faint connection at first.
Suddenly, it surged toward him like a tidal wave. He was engulfed by it, embraced by a warmth and unity that was both overwhelming and exhilarating.
They accepted him—every single one of them—welcoming him with open hearts and minds.
As he recovered from that, an intense and unbreakable bond formed between him and Jerome, so powerful that it nearly knocked him off his feet.
The connection was palpable, an invisible thread woven tightly between them.
Waves of emotion surged through him, leaving him breathless.
As if sensing his unsteadiness, Jerome wrapped his arm around Wesley’s waist, pulling him close as Wesley’s knees began to tremble. Holy shit, even Jerome accepted him.
It wasn’t merely acceptance—Jerome had embraced him warmly and sincerely. The entire pack had. The beauty of it had tears welling up in his eyes.
As he turned, he met Jerome’s gaze, observing the subtle tremor in his body and the rosy flush that spread across his cheeks due to what had just happened.
And what was yet to come.
Had Jerome figured out his connection to Wesley? Was he able to pick up on Wesley’s scent? Did his heart race when Wesley was near? Wesley could scent Jerome’s desire, which was promising, particularly given that Wesley was drenched in blood.
But did Jerome know he was Wesley’s Fated mate? Could he tell? The scent of passion was good, but Wesley expected something… more. Or perhaps the blood and unfamiliar scents on Wesley were confusing Jerome’s senses?
Or was it something else? Perhaps something psychological? What had Jerome endured this week under Elmer’s leadership? How much of a mess was Wesley going to have to unfuck?
As much as he wanted to throw Jerome over his shoulder and carry him away, the weight of leadership pressed upon him, demanding his attention and focus. Only then could he allow himself the joy and relief of tending to his mate.
“Food,” Duncan said, hurrying over to him. “You need food.”
“Steak?” Theo asked as he joined them. “Or how about some steak?”
“All the steaks,” Wesley said with a tired smile.
“Congratulations, by the way,” Keith said as he raced over. “You scared ten years off us.”
“Yeah,” Duncan said, glaring at the dead bodies. “Those fuckers.”
“We’re proud of you,” Theo said.
“You did it. You’re the alpha now!” Duncan exclaimed.
Wesley turned his focus back to Jerome. It was unfathomable to him that Jerome could gaze at him with such raw desire, especially considering the sticky blood and bits of gore all over him.
“Are you okay?” Jerome asked him.
“I’m okay.”
“You sure?” Jerome swallowed. “Those wounds look—”
“I’ll heal. In the meantime, can I kiss you again?”
“Oh, you’re going to ask this time?” Jerome suddenly paled.
“No, no, don’t do that. I know you don’t know me, but I am nothing like the rogue. Seriously. I was one of the alphas invited to the Luna’s Summons.”
“You were? Thank the wolf god.” A visible shudder coursed through Jerome, and he gave a weak smile. “And yes, you can kiss me again.”
Wesley did just that, leaning in to capture Jerome’s lips in a kiss that was as fierce as it was tender.
It was not only an act of claiming but also one of longing—a forceful and unrestrained melding of lips and breath and reckless passion. Jerome eagerly reciprocated, the heat of his response surprising Wesley with its ferocity.
His hands clutched Wesley’s naked shoulders, pulling him in as though afraid any distance might break the connection that crackled like a live wire between them.
The blood didn’t seem to bother him at all. Jerome’s fingers dug deep into Wesley’s skin while Wesley’s mouth moved hungrily over his. He hadn’t expected Jerome’s reaction to be this intense.
At least not with death a few feet away, and not while the pack watched. But that was a good sign, right? Wesley kissed him harder, leaving no doubt for the pack or his mate that Jerome was his.
The moment came to an end thanks to yells and cheers. That was definitely a good sign too. But it brought Wesley back to the moment, making him realize how strongly and sincerely Jerome had been kissing him.
Jerome’s enthusiasm filled him with relief and excitement. They held each other like that, feverishly, oblivious to everything else.
The intensity of their embrace spoke volumes, which was extremely promising. He wanted to ask Jerome if he felt their chemistry too, but that was a conversation best held in private.
But for now, the stone circle held three lifeless bodies awaiting attention, and he glared at them.
Keith noticed where Wesley glanced. “That was my next question. What do we do with them?”
“Bury them. They don’t deserve the chance at a rebirth.”
Several pack members cautiously approached and offered to take care of it.
Wesley thanked them, then turned to Jerome. “You know these woods better than me. Where would be the best place to bury such rubbish?”
Jerome’s lips twitched. “What an appropriate description. Yes, I know just the place. Thank you, also, for thinking of getting rid of them someplace out of the way.”
Two betas stepped forward and Jerome immediately introduced them as Henry and Al.
“Welcome, Alpha Wesley. With your permission, Al and I can oversee the burial,” Henry said.
“It’s nice to meet you, Henry. If you wouldn’t mind, I would appreciate that,” Wesley said.
With four werewolves digging graves, the task was completed quickly. Wesley instructed them to check the pockets for vehicle keys and any cash, leaving everything else to be buried with the bodies.
WITH ELMER, Albert, and Clyde buried, the need for food gnawed at Wesley more aggressively than before.
He turned to his new pack. “Theo, Duncan, Keith, and I are going to shift and follow the rest of you. I doubt we would run into a cop this far out, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, since the four of us don’t have clothes.”
Jerome nodded. “That could be a problem.”
Henry cleared his throat. “If it’s okay with you, Alpha Wesley, some pack members could go ahead and get those steaks you want going. I know wolves can run pretty fast, but again, we don’t want to draw attention by moving at speeds a true wolf wouldn’t be capable of.”
Keith nodded. “Good idea. It’s Henry, right?”
“Yes. Henry Eaton. I’m one of the three betas who are left.”
“Left?” Keith asked.
“I’m sure there is a story there, but let’s wait until we get back,” Wesley said, seeing the pain that crossed Jerome’s face.
“Right. Right. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Henry. My name is Keith Hill. I’m Wesley’s beta. That’s Duncan Green and Theo Cook. They’re our gammas.”
“I apologize. I should’ve introduced them,” Wesley said.
Henry blinked. “Um, there’s no need to apologize. I mean, you just fought an alpha and two betas single-handedly. And won. Then claimed a new pack.”
“Still. We’ll formally introduce ourselves once everybody has a belly full of food. Are we ready to move out?” Wesley asked.
The plan was well-received, and then Keith, Theo, and Duncan shifted into wolves, quickly loping off into the trees toward the trucks.
Wesley turned to Jerome. “What are you planning to do? If you wish to run with us—”
“If I may, I’ll ride back with Henry.”
Wesley barely stopped the frown that threatened to form. Did Jerome not want to run with him? “Of course. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to run with you, Alpha. It’s just that, well, it’s been a long week, that’s all. Elmer and those bastards made sure I didn’t get more than two meals a day. My wolf is a bit weak at the moment.”
Wesley’s blood boiled at how casual Jerome sounded about that level of cruelty.
“Don’t worry about me.” Jerome softened his tone. “I’m okay, really. A few meals will fix me right up.”
“I’m going to have nightmares about you being hungry,” Wesley swore. “After you eat—after we all eat—you should rest. Thank you for telling me what you needed. I appreciate that.”
Jerome smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Wesley hated leaving him but nodded at Henry as Jerome joined him in the truck. Was his wolf happy with that? Absolutely not. That was his unclaimed mate in an enclosed space with another male.
He wanted Jerome, in wolf form, running next to him. Well, what he really wanted was to sink his teeth into his mate’s neck and fuck him until he cried out in pleasure, but neither option was what was best for Jerome, and he reminded his wolf of that.
His wolf grumbled but let it go.
Wesley watched them leave, then made sure the rest of the pack also had loaded up and left before he shifted and followed everyone. It didn’t take him long to catch up to Keith, Theo, and Duncan.
They ran as wolves, and Wesley was torn between exhilaration and disquiet. He wanted to let loose, enjoy the speed, the power of it, but the emptiness at his side nagged at him.
He hoped the run would help distract him, and the four wolves devoured the miles quickly.
The pack house finally loomed in front of them. Jerome, Henry, and the others had obviously arrived already. Wesley shifted while still running and slowed to a walk as he made his way toward the pack house and their vehicles.