Page 20 of Destined Mate (Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain)

Keith reached his side first, with Theo and Duncan not far behind. Jerome stood in the doorway of the pack house with a pile of clothes in hand, watching every move Wesley made.

“We just got here,” Henry said. “I mean literally just got here ten seconds ago.”

“It’s true,” Al said. “He ain’t lying.”

“Al,” Jerome said calmly. “It’s okay.”

“I’m only reassuring the alpha.”

Others gathered around, and Wesley’s gaze swept over their faces. Al looked scared, as did several other pack members. The damage that damn rogue had managed in a week was sickening.

Cross Creek had accepted Wesley as their alpha, which meant they saw something in him that was worth giving their allegiance to, but abuse was often hard to move on from, even if it had only been for a short time.

“I’m glad everyone got here safely.” Wesley looked at Al. “Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate that.”

Al’s entire body relaxed. “My name is Alfredo Sanchez, but I go by Al. I am an enforcer.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Al. Jerome? Thank you for the spare clothes, but ours are in the SUV. We arrived here first, and someone was brave enough to inform me what was going on. We undressed and shifted.”

Wesley noticed that Jerome didn’t ask who they spoke to. But then, they had a lot to talk about. “I wouldn’t mind a shower, though.”

“Oh! Of course. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Yes. A shower. Right,” Jerome said. “Please, follow me.”

Keith, Theo, and Duncan had already dressed.

“I’ll be back shortly,” Wesley said, looking at his beta and gammas. Keith held Wesley’s clothes out to him. “Guys? Feel free to start answering any questions the pack may have about us.”

“We appreciate that, but at some point tonight we really should let the Council of Wolves know what happened here this past week, and especially tonight. The challenge is due to start tomorrow night,” Henry said.

Wesley noticed Henry was fighting not to show his nerves when addressing Wesley. No beta should be that afraid of his alpha, dammit.

As Wesley passed by, following Jerome, he briefly rested his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “You’re right, and we will definitely address that here shortly. But I need food, and I understand Jerome does too. Let’s take care of those needs first, then we’ll tackle the Council. Does that sound good?”

Henry blinked again. “Whatever you want, Alpha.”

Not the answer that he was looking for, but it would have to do for now. “Thank you. I’ll be back very quickly.”

The sooner he could get his omega fed, the better. He was tempted to tell Jerome to turn back, go grab a bite for himself, and let Wesley locate the bathroom on his own.

But he was afraid that would be seen as a little too controlling, and he had a feeling Jerome had been controlled enough here lately.

Jerome opened a random door for Wesley and he stepped inside. It wasn’t an overly large space for a guestroom, but it was clean and had a small bathroom attached to it. “This is perfect.”

“Where would you like for me to wait, Alpha?” Jerome asked, looking at the floor.

Nope. They were not going to do this. “Jerome? Please look at me.”

Jerome raised his gaze.

“There. That’s better. We have a lot to talk about concerning the pack and concerning us.”

Jerome gulped.

“But first off, you can call me Wesley. Secondly, please try to remember I’m not Elmer. I don’t know how you and your pack were treated this last week, but I have a sneaking suspicion. That’s not the kind of pack I come from.”

Jerome said nothing.

“And it’s going to take you a while to trust me. I completely understand that. All I ask is you not judge me by what you endured under Elmer. I’m not him.”

Jerome blew out a breath. “I know that. I do. It’s just, I really don’t know you, either.”

“Can you trust what your wolf is telling you? I know what my wolf is telling me ,” Wesley said.

“That’s….” Jerome swallowed heavily, then scrubbed his hands across his face.

“Yeah. I know. That’s something we’ll need to talk about later. But for right now, there are things that need our immediate attention. Securing this pack is the main one.”

“I agree.”

“Good. So, please, feel free to stay here if you want. Or if you’d rather go back to where everyone is at, then go. Or maybe you’d like to grab a quick shower on your own and take a few minutes for yourself?”

A slight smile crossed Jerome’s face. “I would like to change, yes. These are the clothes they forced me to wear.”

That smile, unlike the last strained attempt, reached Jerome’s eyes, crinkling the corners in a genuine expression of happiness. It made Wesley happy to see it.

“Then by all means, feel free to change… and burn them if you would like,” Wesley joked quietly, then paused and truly looked at Jerome.

While what Jerome wore was indeed sexy, Wesley sensed it didn’t quite match the laid-back vibe he associated with Jerome. Still, if Jerome chose to dress that way, Wesley wouldn’t object. He could wear what he wanted.

“I just might.”

For the first time, Wesley sensed an emotion from Jerome other than unease—anger. This was the first hint Wesley had observed, and he welcomed it. He hadn’t believed Elmer had completely broken Jerome, but he had certainly managed to subdue him.

Wesley couldn’t wait until Jerome was confident enough to show his real personality.

“Feel free to throw anything else that belonged to them on that bonfire,” Wesley added. “In fact, let’s do that. No joke. I think it would be good for you and the pack.”

Jerome’s eyes widened before he blew out a breath. “Yes. I think it would too. I actually really like that idea.”

Some of Jerome’s tension eased as Wesley watched him. He seemed a little more relaxed. “Okay, I’m going to shower now.”

“Everything you need should be in there—towels, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste. You know, the works. And a hairbrush.”

Wesley saw Jerome eyeing his long blond hair. Yup, he definitely needed a hairbrush. “Thanks.”

Jerome shifted his weight from one foot to another as his shoulders relaxed the most they had since Wesley had found him. “You sure you don’t mind if I leave?”

Wesley nodded toward the bathroom door as he opened it. “Go find something you’re comfortable in and do whatever you need to do. Could you maybe meet me back here in twenty minutes, though? I’m not sure I can find my way around.”

Which was bullshit, but Jerome didn’t call him on it.

“Sure, Alpha. I mean, Wesley. Right. I’ll be back shortly.” Jerome shot him a grateful look before turning away and trotting down the hall.

Wesley shut the bathroom door, started the shower, then stepped under the hot stream of water that gushed from the showerhead. It was scalding hot, but it eased knots out of muscles.

He knew the minutes would pass by rapidly, so he got busy getting clean.