Listen to me 133

Chapter 133

Benedict

I expected Alpha Roman to be waiting for me, especially when the gate guard had given me a look that could freeze fire. It’s good to know that this pack feels protective of Sloane.

While I like that she’s trying to protect me by telling me to let her out of the car before we reach the packhouse, that’s not the kind of man or Alpha I am. I might have growled at her about that, but after the highs and lows of the evening, I let it go. I know she’s nervous about seeing her uncle.

I watch him look over his niece, making sure I didn’t push her into something she wasn’t ready for, then we both say goodnight to her and she gives me one last look, like she’s sending me to the lion’s den.

Alpha Roman waits until she’s inside before turning to me.

“Do you want to explain your claim on my niece who is underage?”

I wasn’t sure which direction he would go in with his confrontation. I knew he’d confront me. He may not be Sloane’s father, but from everything I’ve seen, he’s always treated her like a daughter, and I know he loves her very much. So, I knew he’d either confront me on taking her virginity, claiming her in a way that no one can deny, or both. Apparently, whatever he saw on Sloane’s face tonight, has kept him from confronting me on taking her virginity.

“You know I’m fairly confident that I’m feeling the early stages of the mate bond. With Sloane’s birthday only a week away, that pull to her, that need to claim her has gotten stronger. Marrok has already told me that he will never take another mate, nor will he allow another she–wolf in our bed. That tells me everything I need to know about where things are going with us. Is this a public claim? Yes. But I’ve also told Sloane that I want her on the stage with me Saturday night at my Alpha ceremony. I intend to let everyone know that she’s mine and no one had better make a move on her.”

I growl the last part and Alpha Roman raises an eyebrow.

“You do realize that no one has ever shown any interest in Sloane except Alpha Will, right?”

“That was before I claimed her publicly at school. Now, I see the other wolves circling her, watching her, waiting for their chance to take what’s mine. I won’t allow it.”

He walks down the steps of the packhouse so he’s standing in front of me.

“If she’s not your mate and she doesn’t accept you, you won’t have a choice. If she is your mate, then the two of you will have to figure out what to do with two packs where both of you are Alphas. No matter which way it goes, I will say this. I can be a very powerful ally, but I can also be your worst enemy. If you hurt my niece, I will not hesitate to destroy you and your pack. You are taking over as Alpha in two days, so I’m telling you this, Alpha to Alpha. I will not tolerate my niece being hurt.”

“I won’t either, Alpha. That’s another reason I wanted my scent all over her. Any wolf who thinks that they can hurt her or so much as touch her, will know that they will answer to me. Sloane and Aisling are ours. Every day that passes, every day that we’re closer to her birthday, I’m more and more confident about that.”

“Then figure out what you’re going to do with two packs, Alpha. Sloane deserves to be an Alpha of her own

pack.”

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“I agree. She and I have already talked about getting together and figuring that out next week, especially since she’ll be in Alpha Waylon’s pack.”

He nods, watching me. “I’ll take you at your word, Alpha. Make sure you take me at mine.”

I nod. “Goodnight, Alpha. I’ll see you at graduation tomorrow night.”

“Yes, you will. Did you get your speech written?” he asks.

“Not completely. We had a … hiccup tonight.”

He raises his eyebrow at me again.

“Your niece needs more self–confidence, especially if she’s going to be an Alpha of her own pack. I get angry when she doubts my words or my intentions.” I shrug. “We worked through it, as you could see.”

He nods again, looking thoughtful. “Sloane does seem to listen to you more than the rest of us. Although, I think her Aunt Samara finally got through to her the other day.”

“Sloane is an amazing woman. She just needs to get over not having a white wolf. It doesn’t matter, and I’m hoping someday she can see that.”

“On that, we can agree. I’ll see you tomorrow, Alpha.”

“See you tomorrow,” I say. I get in the car and head home. As soon as I’m off her pack lands, I dial her number.

“You’re alive?”

“Barely,” I say, grinning. “Are you in bed?”

“Not yet. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t have to keep Uncle Roman from killing you.”

“He was protective, but understanding, just like I expected.”

She’s quiet a moment, so I wait.

“How are you so confident all the time?”

“Years of practice. I’m happy to practice your confidence with you. Do we need to talk more about our speech tomorrow night?”

“No, I think we’re good.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Sloane. Sweet dreams. And if they’re not sweet, if they’re the kind of dreams that wake you in the middle of the night desperately needing a release, then they better be about me.”

She chuckles. “Goodnight. And thank you again for tonight. It really was special for me.”

“It was for me too,” I say before hanging up.

I smile all the way home, remembering the good parts of the evening, especially the parts where I made Sloane come, watching her vulnerability, feeling her give herself to me. Which reminds me that I need to get a hotel room for tomorrow night.

There’s a nice hotel near where we’re having our graduation ceremony, but when I call, it’s booked out exce for the presidential suite.

“How much?” I ask. It’s more than I want to spend on a single night, knowing that I’m about to take over as my pack’s Alpha and the financial responsibility of the pack falls to me. But after calling around to several other hotels, I realize that trying to find a hotel room the night before a high school graduation is impossible. So, I call the first hotel back and order the presidential suite. I use my personal funds to pay for the room, so it doesn’t come out of the pack funds.

When I get back to the pack, I double check my confirmation, seeing that the room check–in is before graduation. I make some quick plans to have flowers and champagne sent to the room. Then I grab my computer and the notes Sloane and I discussed for the speech tomorrow before heading inside.

“What is that stench on you, Benedict. Have you been rolling around in a cow field?” my mother’s grating voice says.

I snarl, stomping up to her and watching her eyes go wide. She backs up but I don’t stop until her back is pressed against the wall. I press my aura against her, pinning her to the wall.

“I think you know very well whose scent is on me, Mother. I’ve warned you, multiple times, to stop denigrating Sloane Hartwell. You’re running out of time to get your shit together. I will NOT tolerate any negative comments about her or her family. She and her family will be here on Saturday night and if you so much as look at her cross–eyed, you can find another pack to live in. Do you understand me?”

“Benedict…” she begins, but I snarl and push my aura out even more.

“Do. You. Understand. Me?”

“Yes. Yes, I understand you,” she yelps.

“Good. I am DONE warning you and after Saturday, dad won’t be able to help you.”

I spin away from her, noticing that the pack is watching our interaction. I ignore them, annoyed that my mother has once again ruined my good mood.

I jog up the stairs, hearing Bethany behind me. When we get to the Alpha floor, she falls into step beside me.

“You do smell an awful lot like Sloane, Bene. Did you two …?” She leaves the question hanging in the air.

I grin at my sister. “I never kiss and tell, Bethany.”

She stops, watching as I walk to my room and open the door.

“You may not, but that smug smile says it all,” she says.

My grin widens. It probably does.

Lucia Morh

Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.