Listen to me 129

Chapter 129

Benedict

I didn’t mean for my simple response to Sloane’s question to cause her to fall into those deep thoughts she has where she pushes everyone around her out of her mental space. But somehow, I did.

“Sloane,” I say, watching her as her frown deepens. “Sloane!” I say more sharply, watching her jump at my tone. “Don’t over think my comment. You always underestimate yourself. You are amazing. You are always prepared for anything. I wasn’t trying to make you doubt yourself. I wanted you to realize that you, just like me, are always prepared for what comes at us.

“I’m not sure I am, though,” she murmurs as we walk to the overhang.

“What aren’t you prepared for?” I ask her.

“I don’t know. How would I know that I’m not prepared until something comes at me that I’m not prepared for?” she asks.

I swing my arm at her face, ready to stop just shy of hitting her, but I don’t have to. She grabs my arm and swings it behind

her.

“What the fuck, Benedict?” she growls.

“You didn’t see that coming and yet you were prepared for it,” I say to her, not at all intimidated by her angry aura, although I have to admit, it’s extremely impressive.

“Fighting is different,” she grumbles, letting me go.

“Is it?”

“Yes,” she insists.

“Why is it different?”

“Because I’ve been fighting most of life, nearly ten years.”

“So, let’s say that Scarlet comes to you when she and Daniel are having a fight. Are you telling me that you wouldn’t be able to counsel her as her friend and Alpha?”

“I have no idea,” she says empathically.

“Have you ever NOT been able to help Scarlet when she’s needed a friend or an Alpha?” I ask her.

She opens her mouth, then closes it. “That’s different.”

“No, it’s not. You’re making it different. What would you say to me if I told you I didn’t want to take over as Alpha in two days?”

“You don’t want to take over as Alpha?” she asks, looking appalled.

I close my eyes, asking the Moon Goddess for patience. “Hypothetically speaking, what would you say to me, Sloane?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. Think about it. I don’t want to become the fucking Alpha of my pack, Sloane. What do I do?”

She frowns and begins thinking about my question while I lay out the blanket that was still in the back of my car from the

last time we were here.

Tue, Dec 30 M

J

Chapter 129.

“Why don’t you want to become Alpha?” she asks me.

I shrug. “It’s a lot of work.”

“That it is. Are you afraid of hard work, Benedict? You’re Valedictorian. I don’t see you running from a challenge.”

“I’m co–Valedictorian, and see what I mean? You haven’t figured it out yet, Sloane, but you know the right questions to ask to get to the bottom of a problem. That’s what good Alphas do. You may not have trained to be an Alpha of a pack, but you’ve had an exceptional role model with Alpha Roman. If I were you and I didn’t know how to respond to something, I’d ask myself how he or Luna Samara would respond, and I’d use that as my guide.”

I watch her thinking through my comment as I sit on the blanket with her and open my laptop. When I get my notes pulled up, I lean over, setting the laptop between us.

“Okay, this is what I have so far,” I tell her.

I watch her face as she reads.

“Geez, Benedict. You’re a natural,” she murmurs.

“So are you, Sloane,” I say and she immediately begins shaking her head.

“I don’t know the first thing about writing a speech.”

“Sloane, you’re an Alpha. You’re going to be the leader of your own pack. Stop underestimating yourself. Leaders lead. That’s what we do. Part of that is inspiring others with our words.”

I watch something flash across her face, something I don’t like.

“Maybe it’s a bad idea for me to take over that pack,” she whispers.

“Stop it, Sloane,” I growl, slapping the space between us. “Stop underestimating yourself. You are the smartest, strongest, most incredible wolf I’ve ever met. And YOU seem to be the only person who doesn’t see that!”

She closes her eyes. “Benedict, I don’t know the first thing about leading a pack.”

“I’ll help you, Sloane. Your Uncle Roman will help you. I’m sure Alpha Will would help you,” I say, forcing Marrok to not growl when I mention Alpha Will. “But you are an Alpha, Sloane. You were born to lead. Stop doubting yourself. Stop letting what others say get in your head. You have to start believing in yourself so others can see it, and they can believe in you too. You are better than you give yourself credit for.”

She stares at me for a moment. “You sound like Scarlet.”

“Scarlet is a damn fine wolf. She’s the kind of wolf that draws other wolves to her. And who is SHE drawn to, Sloane? Hmmm? Who is HER best friend? Who is SHE willing to forsake others for?”

She doesn’t answer, but she doesn’t look away because she knows I’m right.

“Yeah, that’s right. You, Sloane. YOU are best friend. YOU are the woman that she would stand beside against anyone and everyone else in this world. Because she sees in you what I see in you. Goddess! What will it take for you to see yourself clearly, Sloane?” I growl at her.

She turns away from me, but not before I see the tears burning in her eyes: I gently take her chin between my fingers and turn her head. “What will it take, Sloane?” I ask softly.

“For Aisling to finally become a white wolf like she deserves,” she says, swiping at a tear that escapes.

“The color of your wolf’s fur does not define you. It does not define who you are,” I say, seeing that my words aren’t making an impact.

“Let me ask you something. What would change? What would change about you, Sloane, If Aisling’s für was suddenly white? Would you be stronger? Would you be smarter? Would you be a better person, a better wolf? What would change besides your own confidence that you are the amazing woman that you already are?”

I watch as her eyes glaze over and darken. I wait, knowing that she’s talking to Aisling

‘Aisling agrees with you. It’s Sloane who is hung up on being a white wolf, Marrok says.

“Ugh!” Sloane finally says, scrubbing her face. “Why am I the only one who realizes how important this is?”

“Why are you the only person who can’t see past the color of your wolf’s fur?” I counter.

She stares a me for a long time, but I wait her out.

“Fine, you want my input?”

“Yes, I do.” I say.

She pulls the computer toward her. “This is fucking cheesy. We need to delete it, or you have to say it on your own. I would never say that. This is good, this needs to be expanded …”

I grin, following along as I watch her make changes to our speech. Everything she says is perfect.

‘She’s perfect, Marrok purrs.

When she finally finishes with her montage of what needs to change in our speech, she looks at me defiantly. “What do you think of that?”

I lean toward her, holding her gaze and watching the defiance flicker into something different as I put my face so close to hers that if I puckered my lips, I’d be kissing her.

“I think you’re fucking brilliant, just like I always do. I love everything you just suggested and can’t wait to hear what you want to say in those sections you want to add,” I growl softly.

She gasps and her mouth drops open. I close the distance between us, savoring her honey taste like I always do, deepening the kiss, desperate for more of her taste.

It takes me a few moments to realize that I’ve pushed her back on the blanket and now I’m lying over her. Her arms are around my neck as I lean over her.

“You taste so good,” I growl, sliding my hand up her shirt as I kiss my way down her neck. I’m no stranger to sex, but I’ve never touched a woman who felt as strong as Sloane. Her body is tight and muscular in the way that only Alpha bodies can become.

When I slide my thumb over her bra, I feel her puckered nipple which is already hard and waiting for me. She moans making me groan. I pull away from her as I continue to tease her nipple.

“If you want me to stop, now is a good time to tell me,” I pant. I don’t want to stop. I desperately want to claim this woman as mine.

She slides her fingers through my hair. “I don’t want you to stop,” she says.

I growl, leaning in to take her mouth in a dominant, possessive kiss as Marrok begins chanting ‘mine‘ in my head.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.