Page 28 of Destined Mate (Cross Creek Pack of San DeLain)
Chapter Eighteen
Jerome
JEROME MIGHT’VE felt free, but life wasn’t quite done with him yet. Dinner was over and once again everybody ended up in the front yard around the fire pit where they’d had the bonfire the previous night.
Music played from somebody’s phone and the marshmallows had made an appearance again. Things were going well. Jerome should’ve known it was too good to last.
A howl ripped through the air from one of the wolves patrolling the boundaries of their territory.
“That’s an alert,” Jerome said, struggling out of Wesley’s lap.
“It appears we’re about to have company.” Wesley stood.
Cars pulled up, and a strange tension slammed into Jerome the instant the vehicles stopped.
“My mate. Would you please step inside the pack house until this is resolved?” Wesley asked.
“What’s going on?” Jerome asked, although he had a sneaking suspicion he knew exactly what was happening.
“They scheduled the Luna’s Summons for tonight, and yes, I know they were supposed to cancel it. Go inside, please.”
“Fuck,” Jerome muttered, but he did as Wesley asked. He didn’t want to be a distraction to Wesley, especially since they’d just barely mated.
Still, Jerome’s wolf went on high alert as he quickly made his way into the pack house. From a window, he could see Wesley walking out to the sleek SUVs.
They parked side by side in the long driveway, gleaming black chrome shining in the moonlight. His wolf screamed for him to do something, to show his support for his alpha.
Instead, he stayed right where he was at. For now, that was the best he could do for Wesley. He noticed their betas, Henry, Keith, and Theo, came to stand slightly behind Wesley, as they should. The other pack members quickly cleared out.
He focused on breathing instead of listening to the panic that swirled in his mind, warning him that he was about to see yet another alpha under claws and fangs.
But this was no hunter attack, and there was no reason to think those alphas would act without honor. He watched as Wesley stopped just out of arm’s reach of the SUVs.
Dread grew as an alpha exited each vehicle. Yup, it was two of the alphas who had been invited: Clive Osborne of the Whispering Lakes pack and Anya Frost of the Blackwater Ridge pack.
Shit.
The Council of Wolves had sent them the information on who was attending the Luna’s Summons. From what he’d read, they were both powerful alphas.
They council had called off the challenge for alphaship last night after Wesley had told them he’d already taken control of Cross Creek and mated their omega.
So why the hell were Alpha Clive and Alpha Anya here? He recognized them from their pictures.
Clive and Anya wasted no time closing the distance between them and Wesley. Jerome strained to hear the conversation, his wolf pacing impatiently in his head. Wesley’s calm demeanor reassured him somewhat.
Wesley greeted Clive and Anya with a respectful nod. “I wasn’t expecting you here, given the notification the Council sent out.”
Clive straightened. “Did you really believe we wouldn’t check this out? This pack was part of a Luna’s Summons, Alpha Wesley.”
“It was,” Wesley said. “I’m sure you’ve heard it’s under different circumstances now.”
“We heard.” Anya crossed her arms, her stance both relaxed and alert. “We came to see for ourselves what you claim, that Cross Creek has a new alpha and that you’re mated to the omega.”
“I have no reason to lie,” Wesley replied. “I’m no rogue, and my challenge was legitimate. Elmer’s actions weren’t. He paid the price, and I claimed the pack.”
Jerome swallowed, feeling the tension through the window as if it were a living thing. It thrummed in the air, pulsing with each word exchanged between the alphas. He gripped the sill, the impatience of his wolf urging him to rush back outside, but he resisted.
“Interesting,” Clive said after a beat. “Especially given the Council had to cancel the summons less than twenty-four hours before it was scheduled.”
“I understand the timing was unusual,” Wesley admitted, holding Clive’s gaze. “But the situation was unusually urgent too. This pack was under threat and had already lost members. I did what I had to do for them.”
“And you mated their omega,” Anya said. “That will complicate things.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s complicated,” Wesley said. “I’d say it’s fated.”
Clive and Anya exchanged a long look. Jerome’s chest tightened. Would they believe Wesley? Would they respect the new alphaship? Or—Jerome’s stomach lurched—would they challenge Wesley anyway?
Clive tilted his head. “Fated, you say?”
“Yes,” Wesley replied. “Jerome is my Fated mate, and the pack willingly bonded with me. There’s nothing to be gained by a challenge.”
“How did you know the pack was in trouble?” Anya asked.
“Call it intuition,” Wesley answered. “I had visions of what was happening here. By the time I arrived, Elmer had already finished the damn auction.”
“We were told about that. Disgusting,” Anya said.
“Visions?” Clive’s eyes narrowed. “An alpha with visions. That’s a new one.”
“It was for me too,” Wesley said. “But it saved this pack.”
They stood in loaded silence, and Jerome held his breath.
Then Anya nodded. “I like an alpha who can adapt to the unexpected and still come out on top.”
Clive’s chuckle was low and grudging. “As much as I’d have liked a shot at this pack, I’m inclined to agree. We’ve heard of your reputation, Wesley Valentino.”
“Then I hope you know I’m telling you the truth. We’re Fated mates. Jerome’s acceptance of me is undeniable.”
Jerome’s body thrummed with anticipation. He itched to be at Wesley’s side, to show Clive and Anya the truth of Wesley’s words.
“Should we take your word for it, though?” Anya asked.
“You don’t have to,” Wesley said. “Jerome? Come out here, please.”
Jerome didn’t hesitate as he pushed open the door, stepping into the crisp night air and hurrying to where Wesley waited.
He saw Clive and Anya exchange a look, something like surprise—and maybe that was acceptance he saw too?—passing between them as he approached.
Wesley’s eyes were dark and full of promise. Jerome couldn’t help but smile, letting all the joy of being Wesley’s mate show in his expression.
He stopped next to Wesley, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. The bond between them was vibrant and alive, a tangible thing that pulsed with their unity.
“See for yourselves,” Wesley said, resting a hand on Jerome’s shoulder. “Jerome really is my Fated mate.”
Jerome inhaled deeply, capturing the mingled scents of all the wolves around him. His voice was steady and clear. “I went through hell this past week. Wesley saved my life, but more importantly, he saved my heart.”
Anya let out a low, appreciative whistle.
Clive nodded. “We can see that. You’re damn lucky, Wesley. And Jerome? You’re lucky too. I won’t challenge.”
Jerome nodded, feeling the truth of Clive’s words resonate through him.
Anya smiled. “I don’t think we need any more proof. Congratulations to you both. I won’t challenge, either.”
Jerome’s heart soared as Wesley pulled him even closer. They weren’t going to challenge for alphaship. His pack was going to be okay. A rush of emotions filled him—happiness, astonishment, and above all, an overwhelming sense of relief.
“Goodbye and best of luck,” Clive said as he reached for the car door.
Anya lingered for a moment longer, her gaze settling on Jerome. “Take care of each other.”
Jerome nodded, feeling the weight of her words sink in. “We will.”
He turned to Wesley as the SUVs pulled away. “You really do have a reputation.”
Wesley laughed, the sound rich and carefree. “Is that a bad thing?”
“In this case? I think it’s a very good thing.” Jerome’s heart swelled. Wesley never failed to surprise him with his confidence, with the ease of his affection.
Jerome kissed him, long and sure, the world slipping away until it was only the two of them, standing together under the soft moonlight.
The shouts and whoops of celebration from the pack brought them back to the moment, and Wesley joined in with a howl of triumph and joy. Jerome threw back his own head, adding his voice to the pack.
And what a life that would be.
A life with Wesley by his side.
A life where nothing—not rogue attacks or ranting elders or unwelcome guests—would take Wesley from him or him from the pack. He felt the certainty of that down to his very bones. They would be fine. More than fine. They would be happy.
Wesley wrapped him in an easy embrace. The other wolves fell in around them, and Jerome knew without question that this was his place, his true place, and nothing and no one could take it away from him.
And under the moon, under the bright stars and a world of possibilities, he was free.