Page 23 of Destined Mate (Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain)

“There.” Jerome moved out of view of the camera and sat on the edge of the desk like he had done a million times before.

“Council of Wolves,” a female voice said. “How may I direct your call?”

“This is Alpha Wesley Valentino, formally of the Moonshadow Pack of San Diego, California. I need to speak to a council member because I am the new alpha of Cross Creek.”

“Oh. Oh dear. One moment, please.”

The screen went blank for several minutes. Wesley glanced up to see the look of concern on Jerome’s face. When he glanced back down, it was to see three wolves on the screen staring at Wesley.

“My name is Charles O’Connell. With me is Benjamin Reeves and Deacon Bush of the Council of Wolves. Two of our colleagues are out of the office. Now, explain yourself, Alpha.”

Taking a deep breath, Wesley launched into everything that had happened since he’d received the Luna’s Summons, the dream he’d had and what he’d seen, and the feeling that something was terribly wrong at Cross Creek.

“When I arrived, Alpha Elmer had already auctioned Jerome off to a South American pack. I challenged him and won, then his betas attacked me. I’ll have my beta send you the video as proof that I won and that Elmer’s betas interfered.”

“You do understand that alphas do not have visions,” Counselor Reeves said.

“Seeing that I am an alpha, yes, I know this. Doesn’t change what I saw.”

Three eyebrows raised at once, but they all remained silent.

“Let me tell you what else I know.” Wesley’s voice sharpened as he spoke. “Regardless of whether or not you believe me, I had dreams about Jerome and this place. I felt strongly compelled to come here.”

One of the members opened his mouth to speak.

“I am not done.” Wesley cut him off with a sharp gesture of his hand. “I saw the hunters’ attack. I saw Jerome!” He took a breath and grabbed control of his emotions and loud tone. Making an enemy of the Council was not the way to go, but damn.

“Jerome? Isn’t that the Cross Creek pack’s omega?” Counselor O’Connell asked.

“Yes. The same omega the Council ignored when he informed you about seeing rogues infiltrating Cross Creek!” Wesley thundered, his fist slamming down on the desk.

So much for keeping his emotions in check.

“The very omega who was auctioned off to a South American werewolf pack who may very well show up here if what they paid for doesn’t arrive,” Wesley growled.

Jerome came around the desk and stood behind Wesley, placing his hand on Wesley’s shoulder.

“Send us the name of the South American pack and any other information you might have. Do you still have the equipment used? Surely you can get something off that,” Counselor O’Connell said.

“We have the equipment and their laptops, and I’ll send that information to you. Last thing I need is for them to show up trying to claim my omega.”

“Please listen this time,” Jerome said.

“Omega, if we granted extensions every time one of you claimed there was trouble—” Counselor Bush snapped.

Jerome leaned forward so he could make eye contact with the other wolf. “No one asked for an extension. I asked for guards until the Luna’s Summons happened,” Jerome said.

“Still—”

“Cross Creek lost pack members because you didn’t listen to me. I was locked in a room and starved. They harassed and bullied pack members. If you had just listened, maybe those wolves wouldn’t have ended up dead!” Jerome shouted.

Jerome’s explosion shocked Wesley, but he didn’t blame him because he was absolutely correct.

“They died for nothing .” Jerome’s voice broke.

A moment of silence passed between them all as the members of the Council watched silently from their screen.

“This pack has been through enough,” Wesley said finally. “Withdraw the Luna’s Summons.”

“It’s supposed to take place tomorrow evening,” Counselor Reeves said. “It’s too late. All the alphas are already in San DeLain.”

“Then send a fucking email out,” Wesley snapped. “Do not put this pack through more trauma. They’ve bonded to me, as has their omega, who, again, let me reiterate, is my Fated mate.”

“You know if we find out you lied about being fated to the omega, that could be punishable by death,” Counselor Bush added.

“Again, feel free to send somebody out here to verify what I have said. I have nothing to hide,” Wesley replied.

“An email will be sent out to all the alphas, calling off the Luna’s Summons,” Counselor O’Connell said.

“Thank you.” Wesley barely got the words out of his mouth before the screens went blank. “And fuck you too.”

Jerome snickered. “They really are pretentious assholes, aren’t they?”

“I know, right? Well, I seem to be on a roll, so why stop here, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“Might as well call the parents and tell them what’s going on.” Wesley closed the laptop and hauled out his cell phone for a video call.

“I’m sure you’d like privacy for this, so—”

Wesley wrapped his arm around Jerome and pulled him into his lap. “No, you don’t, pretty wolf. My mom, in particular, will want to meet you. I promise they don’t bite. Much. Okay, okay, I’m kidding! Settle down. They’ll love you, as I’ve already said. Trust me.”

The phone barely rang before a voice echoed through the line. “Wesley? Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

Wesley heard his mom’s worry even from hundreds of miles away. “Mom. I’m fine. We’re fine.”

“We?”

“Son? What’s going on?”

Wesley grinned and hugged Jerome closer, pulling him into view of the video screen. “Mom. Dad. This is Jerome. Jerome? That’s my mom, Elaina, and my dad, Alpha Merrick Valentino. Guys, I found my Fated mate. He’s the omega who was mated to Alpha Li Li of the Cross Creek pack.”

“Oh! Goodness gracious! Merrick! Did you hear our boy?”

“I’m right here, dear.”

“Oh hush, you.” Elaina swatted her mate, smiling widely. “Wesley! Congratulations. We’re so happy for you! A Fated mate. Hello, Jerome. It’s lovely to meet you. Welcome to the family!”

“Congratulations, you two. It’s a blessing to find your Fated mate,” Merrick said as he kissed his wife’s cheek.

Jerome offered a shy smile and waved awkwardly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both and thank you.”

“That’s one hell of a surprise,” Merrick said, shaking his head. “A very pleasant one, but it demands an exclamation of how you’re mated to the omega of Cross Creek, Son. What’s going on? The Luna’s Summons isn’t until tomorrow evening.”

Elaina popped back into the frame. “Tell us everything!”

“Let me give you the highlights.” Wesley tightened his grip around Jerome’s waist like he might disappear if he let go. “Well, it started off with what I can only describe as a dream about Jerome and the attack on his pack.”

It took a solid fifteen minutes for Wesley to describe everything that had happened since he had arrived in San DeLain.

“An auction,” Elaina whispered. “How could any alpha do that?”

“Because our species has assholes just like any other,” Merrick growled. “But you are okay, right, Jerome?”

“I am. It was scary and nerve-racking, but I hadn’t had a new vision showing me being carted off to South America, so while it was indeed scary, I had faith my alpha would show up.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Elaina said. “You can see the future? What a talent to have.”

“It has its ups and downs,” Jerome admitted.

“I bet,” Elaina said.

“So, I challenged Elmer and won, even though his two betas tried to attack me after the challenge was over. After I’d disposed of them, the pack and Jerome bonded with me.”

Elaina gasped. “They accepted you that quickly? You’re the new alpha of Cross Creek?”

“Yes,” Wesley said. “I am.”

“I guess the pack could see what I saw in Wesley,” Jerome added softly.

“That is amazing news,” Merrick chimed in again. “But that damn summons happens tomorrow evening and—”

“Just called the Council too,” Wesley added.

“You did? What did those old goats have to say?” Merrick asked.

“They were not happy with me, but considering they ignored what Jerome had told them about a rogue taking over Cross Creek, they had little room to complain about my actions,” Wesley said.

Merrick snorted.

“They said they’d send out emails telling the alphas who’d been invited that I’d taken over here, and my Fated mate is the omega of this pack. The problem is those alphas are already in San DeLain.”

“What are you saying? Do you think they’ll show up, anyway?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, Mom. But I do think they’re good alphas and won’t challenge me for alphaship since I’m mated to Jerome.”

“Are you fully mated to him?” Merrick asked.

Wesley glanced at Jerome. “Not yet, Dad.”

“You do know that the bond is not fully set until you—”

“I know, Dad. But Jerome’s had a rough week, and I’m not going to—”

“It’ll be taken care of,” Jerome said, interrupting Wesley.

Surprised, Wesley glanced at Jerome. Did Jerome understand what he just said? The mating bite usually occurred during sex. It could be done without, but most wolves knew if a mating had not been consecrated, because Fated mates usually couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

Plus, if a mating wasn’t consecrated, less reputable wolves might try to take advantage of that.

“Good, good. At least someone is thinking clearly,” Merrick said. “Okay, your mom and I are going to let you go. If you need anything, please let us know. And Wesley? Make sure you give Jerome our cell phone numbers too.”

“Thanks, Dad. I will,” Wesley said.

“You better believe you will,” Elaina said. “After you claim him, we’ll have a formal mating ceremony. Oh, Jerome, I hope you’ll let me help with that. Please?”

Jerome blinked. “I’ve never had a formal—you know what? I’d love for you to help me with that. Thank you.”

“Fabulous! After the two of you get settled, and you feel like it, let me know and Wesley’s dad and I will make a quick trip to visit and do the formal mating ceremony,” Elaina said. “Love you guys! Good night!”

“I will and good night.”

“Love you too. Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad.”