Listen to me 144

Kaciin

“Well, mother, I know why Bitchy Beatrice contacted you about Sloane Hartwell,” I say, walking into her room.

She smells like the Beta again. I can’t decide if she likes their arrangement, or if she feels pressured to fuck him to remain in the pack. Since she hasn’t said anything to me about it, I don’t ask. I’ve been biding my time for the old man to die so I could swoop in and take over his pack. But now, it sounds like I may have to alter my strategy.

“And why is that?” she asks.

“Her son claimed that she’s his girlfriend during his Alpha ceremony tonight. Apparently, she smells like Benedict’s whore. And the best, or worst part depending on your perspective, he had her come onto the stage while he took is oath as Alpha He’s claiming her publicly in every possible way. I’m guessing the Bitch isn’t happy about that and she wants us to do her dirty work for her.”

“Where did you hear this?” she asks.

“Gabriel. As the prick’s Beta, he and Jack were both invited to the Alpha ceremony. And get this, Bitchy Beatrice tried to keep Sloane off the stage and Benedict stopped the ceremony, asking where she was. Everyone saw that it was his mother trying to keep her from getting on the stage.”

“Do they have any more information about what Sloane is doing in your father’s pack?”

“How many times do I have to tell you that he’s NOT my father?” I roar.

“Fine. Do you have any more information about that Hartwell girl?”

“Nothing more than what they told me before. He and Sloane have a lot of closed–door meetings. Who knows, maybe she’s fucking the old man too.”

“I doubt it,” she growls and I can hear the bitterness in her tone. According to my mother, my sperm donor preferred his fated mate to her. Whatever. Fated mates are overrated as far as I’m concerned. I rejected my omega mate after fucking her. She wasn’t even the best fuck I’d ever had. It definitely wasn’t worth having to listen to her sobbing afterward, begging me not to reject her.

“If he’s keeping her close, you’ll have a hard time getting to her, Kaelin,” she says.

“She’s apparently spending most of this week in the sperm donor’s pack,” I say, thinking through my choices. “I have a couple of options.”

“And those are?”

“War, but I’d have to ask Alpha if I could borrow some of his warriors. Gabriel thinks that some of the ones that used to be loyal to me have changed their tune lately. My other option is to have Gabriel and Jack sneak me into the packhouse so I can trap the bitch while she’s sleeping and mark her.”

“That’s dangerous,” she says.

“Do you want me to take that pack and make Bitchy Beatrice owe us one or not, Mother? Honestly, it’s like you want to stay here and continuing fucking our Beta! Is that it? His cock is so good you don’t want to leave now?” I growl.

She stands, her face full of fury. “How dare you! I fuck him so we can live here. I do it for YOU,” she growls.

“Sure you do. Maybe I should get you to ask Beta for me. If you’re good enough in bed, maybe I won’t have to beg Alpha for

warriors.”

– 10:14 Thu, Feb 5

“Get out,” she snarls.

Tink about it.” I say, striding from the room.

Benedict POV

44

I felt the power wash over me as my father passed the title of Alpha to me. It was incredible, and overwhelming, and I’m so glad that I had Sloane there with me. It just felt right to have her there.

It is right to have her here, beside us, where she belongs, Marrok says, once again claiming Sloane as if she’s our mate.

We’re definitely going to have to figure something out about having two Alphas running two packs if you’re sure she’s ours, I tell him, not sure I’d be willing to give her up even if she’s not. I want the woman as much as Marrok wants Aisling.

‘We’ll make it work, he says as I guide Sloane through the throng of people.

Having her by my side tonight serves two purposes. First, I want her here. I want everyone to see that I’m claiming her as mine. I want to make sure that no other Alpha thinks they can have her. And second, when she takes over as Alpha of her pack, it will be important for her to know the leaders of the packs that surround her pack. She’ll need to enter new alliances with them once Waylon steps down or begin negotiations to enter alliances with packs who are close to hers.

‘If we’re mated, we can negotiate the terms for her, Marrok says.

That’s true, but knowing Sloane, she won’t be a passive Alpha. She’ll be very involved and invested in any negotiations that occur. I smile, glancing at her and wondering just how cutthroat she’d be during negotiations.

Inevitably, the time comes when we have to separate. I knew it would happen, I just hope it won’t last long.

“I have to use the restroom and then I want to spend a little time with my family before they leave,” Sloane says.

I take her chin in my fingers and hold her gaze as I lean in to kiss her. As expected, she blushes a beautiful shade of pink.

“If for some reason you can’t get back to me, come find me in my bedroom. Alpha floor, last room on the right.”

“Not for long, I’d guess,” she grins.

I hadn’t even thought about changing rooms, but she’s right. The acting Alpha is always the first room in the hallway. It’s purposeful, meant for the Alpha to be the first line of defense for his family if someone with ill intent got to the Alpha floor.

“I guess I’ll be having that conversation with my father soon,” I say, kissing her again before releasing her.

I watch her walk away toward the bathrooms, then catch my sister’s eye. She nods and follows behind Sloane to make sure nothing happens while I’m busy.

I owe my sister bigtime.

As soon as Sloane is gone, I feel the difference in the she–wolves around me. It’s like Sloane was creating a barrier, a wall of protection between me and them. Now that she’s gone, the she–wolves start to become bolder.

I continue to make the rounds, making polite conversation and realizing that as the night goes on, the she–wolves‘ brazenness increases. I keep my eye on Sloane, watching as she laughs easily with her family and Scarlet.

When Alpha Roman and Luna Samara come over to say goodbye with Alpha Slade, Alpha Theo, and Alpha Aria, I was hoping that Sloane would be with them. When I look around, I don’t see her at all.

“She went outside to get some air. It’s a bit much in here,” Luna Samara says. “Thank you so much for having us, Alpha Benedict. I look forward to seeing what great things you accomplish as an Alpha.”

“Thank you, Luna.” I’m not sure how much of what she says I can take at face value, and how much has the underlying

12 65 voucher.

meaning of figuring things out with Sloane. I shake hands with Slade and Theo, knowing that both of them will become Alphas during my tenure as Alpha, and then I take little Aria’s hand, leaning over and kissing it again, I realize that she and Sleme blush the same way, prettily and completely.

“Thank you all for coming. It means a lot to me that you were all here this evening,” I say.

“I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening,” Alpha Roman says.

“Thank you,” I say. As soon as they turn to walk away, I mind link Bethany,

Where is Sloane? Is she alone?‘

‘Duh! What kind of sister would I be if I left her alone? She’s with Scarlet and Daniel‘

Thank you. You’re the best!‘

You can pay me back by buying me a dress for Sloane’s birthday party next weekend,‘ she says.

‘Done. You pick, I pay.

‘Now YOU’RE the best!‘ she says.

I close the mind link as yet another she–wolf walks up, linking her arm through mine.

“Alpha Benedict, you seem lonely,” she says.

“Not at all. How could I possibly be lonely when everyone here is here for me?”

I grit my teeth and continue to play nice as she–wolves brush themselves against my body and make not–so–subtle suggestions about what we could do if I were to take them to my room.

Eventually, I’ve had enough. I look around, still not seeing Sloane, so I turn and address the room.

“Thank you everyone for coming. Please feel free to continue the party as long as you like. I, however, have a very busy day tomorrow, since it will be my first official day as Alpha. Good night,” I say, before I can get waylaid again.

However, when I turn, my mother is there.

“Benedict, it’s early. You should stay. It’s YOUR party after all.”

“It’s now MY pack to run as well, Mother. I have no intention of spending my first day as Alpha in bed sleeping off a party. Goodnight.”

When I get to my room, even I can smell the scent of multiple she–wolves on me. I strip off my clothes and head to the bathroom to shower off their scent. The only scent I want on me is Sloane’s. I’m hoping she’ll join me soon.

I get in the shower and mind link Bethany. ‘Does she know I left the party?‘ I ask her.

‘No. Even I didn’t know you left the party. Honestly, spending time with Alpha Sloane, Beta Scarlet, and Alpha Stephanie is MUCH more fun than spending time in your stuffy party. They’re hilarious.’

Alpha Stephanie?”

‘Yeah, she came outside and joined us. I was right about her, by the way. She’s awesome. We all hit it off easily. Daniel is awesome too. He just sits quietly, gets us more drinks, and periodically kisses Scarlet. It’s really sweet.’

‘Mother didn’t bother you?‘

Nope. I’m pretty sure that staying outside kept mother far away from all of us.’

10:14 Thu, Feb 5

Good. That’s good.

When you’re done having fun, let her know I’m waiting for her.’”

44

‘T’ll let her know now. She looks like she’s done with all this party crap and I can’t blame her. I swear the only reason I’m still down here is because of this group. Otherwise, I’d have gone to bed hours ago.

I get out of the shower and rub the towel over my hair, then wrap it around my waist before stepping out of the bathroom. The moment I do, I realize I’m not alone.

“Sloane?” I ask, already knowing it’s not her. The scent in the room isn’t right.

“Alpha,” the she–wolf purrs. I recognize the voice, but my eyes are still adjusting from the light of the bathroom darkness of my bedroom.

“Benedict, dear,” I hear my mother say from right outside my bedroom, just as the she–wole

presses her body against me, throwing her arms around my neck.

the towel off me, and

I look up in horror as my mother throws open my door. I see the quick flash of triumph in her eyes before it’s schooled

fake concern.

“Oh, Sloane, darling. I’m so sorry you had to see this,” my mother says.

She steps aside and there is Sloane. I watch as her eyes narrow on the woman pressed against my naked body. The woman that I suddenly realize is wearing nothing but lacy lingerie.

五

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.