Page 19 of The Careless Alpha

"I never promised them anything," I said defensively.

"You didn't have to. You gave them hope just by paying attention to them." Jackson blocked a training sword with his own, the clash of metal ringing across the field. "These she-wolves see an opportunity, Marshall. You're an unmated Alpha with a deadline approaching, and they think they can change your mind."

"They can't."

"Then maybe you should stop acting like they can."

The criticism hit home because it was fair. I had been sending mixed signals, enjoying the attention and competition without considering the consequences. When beautiful women threw themselves at me, it was easier to indulge than to think about what it meant for the seventeen-year-old waiting in the Alpha house.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Jackson set down his practice sword and turned to face me fully. "It means maybe it's time to start acting like a mated Alpha instead of a man whore.."

"I am acting like—"

"Are you?” Jackson cut me off, his voice dangerously low. "Because a mated Alpha protects his mate's heart, not just her body. He doesn't let other wolves circle her like sharks smelling blood in the water. When's the last time you spent time alone with Annalise?" Jackson continued. "Real time, not just pack business or formal dinners. When's the last time you took her somewhere, just the two of you?"

I opened my mouth to answer and realized I couldn't. When was the last time? Months, at least. Maybe longer.

"She's seventeen," I said finally. "What am I supposed to do, take her on dates?"

"Yes, you idiot. That's exactly what you're supposed to do." Jackson's voice was sharp with frustration. "She's going to be your mate in four months. Your Luna. The mother of your children. Don't you think you should know something about her besides what's in her training reports?"

The words hit like a punch to the gut because they were true. I knew Annalise was intelligent, dedicated, and kind. I knew she worked hard at her Luna training and that Mom was proud of her progress. But what did I know about her as a person? What did she like to do in her spare time? What made her laugh? What did she dream about?

"The pack expects—" I started.

"The pack expects their Alpha to know his mate," Jackson cut me off. "Right now, half of them are wondering if you even like her, and the other half are taking bets on whether you'll reject her for someone else."

"I would never reject her."

"Then prove it. Stop giving every unmated she-wolf in the territory reason to think they have a chance, and start acting like you want the mate the Moon Goddess gave you."

Before I could respond, a commotion near the lodge caught our attention. Scarlett was striding across the courtyard with determination, her black hair flowing behind her like a banner. She'd been notably absent from the morning's she-wolf parade, but I should have known she wouldn't stay away for long.

"Speaking of complications," Jackson muttered.

Scarlett had been my most frequent companion over the years, the she-wolf I turned to when I needed adult conversation and physical satisfaction. At twenty-six now, she was beautiful, experienced, and had never made any secret of her belief that she'd make a better Luna than a teenage girl with no real-world experience.

"Marshall," she called out as she approached. "I need to speak with you. Privately."

Jackson shot me a warning look. "I'll be here when you're done," he said pointedly.

Scarlett led me away from the training grounds to a quiet spot near the forest edge. She was dressed more formally than usual, in a way that emphasized her curves and reminded me of all the evenings we'd spent together.

"I heard some interesting news this morning," she began without preamble.

I raised my eyebrow in question.

"Veronica is telling anyone who'll listen that you're considering your options before Annalise's birthday." Scarlett's blue eyes were hard as steel. "And Tiffany is volunteering for every assignment that might get her alone time with you."

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a headache building. "It's just pack gossip, Scarlett. You know how these things get blown out of proportion."

"Is it?" She stepped closer, close enough that I could smell her familiar perfume. "From where I'm standing, it looks like every unmated she-wolf in the pack is making a play for the Luna position."

Tell me something I didn’t know. I hated it, but Jackson was right. I only had myself to blame. "What does that have to do with you?"

Her smile was sharp as a blade. "It means it's time for me to stop being subtle about what I want."