Listen to me 161

Chapter 161

Stephanie

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To say that Elena was put out that she wasn’t invited to Alpha Sloane’s birthday party would be an understatement. As if Sloane would have invited her after that stunt she pulled. My step–sister is piece of work. I can’t believe she tried to seduce Alpha Benedict. It was obvious that he was completely and utterly taken with Alpha Sloane.

Stupid girl.

Of course, my father wanted to see MY invitation to Sloane’s birthday party, but I’d told him that it was a verbal invitation, and she told me to show up. Elena, of course, thinks that I’ll be turned away. She probably would be, but I doubt that I will be. Sloane doesn’t strike me as that type of woman or Alpha. We’d all gotten along really well at Alpha Benedict’s party. Her friend Scarlet and Benedict’s sister Bethany were also much more enjoyable companions than the other viper–like Alpha females at the party who could do nothing but complain about Benedict’s poor taste in girlfriends, or talk about whether or not he was getting his ‘slumming‘ out of his system before settling down with his fated mate once he found her.

Since Alpha Benedict doesn’t strike me as that kind of man, I’d gone looking for a quiet place to get away from the gossip and instead found Sloane, Scarlet, Daniel, and Bethany and made new friends.

Now, I’m on my way to Alpha Roman’s pack. Since I haven’t known Sloane very long, I wasn’t sure what to get her for a gift. But based on what I learned about her, she seems very no–nonsense. However, she does have long hair and as a woman with long hair, I thought some decorative pins to hold up her hair on nice occasions would be useful. Since she’s an Alpha, I’d found some rare green sapphires, ones that are closer to the color of her eyes and had them embedded in the hair pins. Sloane may not realize how precious the hair pins are, but I’m guessing Scarlet will.

When I arrive at the gate and give my name, I’m told that Alpha Sloane hasn’t given them my name.

“Is she here? She told me to just come. She may have forgotten to send word that I was coming.”

“She hasn’t arrived yet …” he begins as another car pulls up behind me. “Oh, wait, there she is. Give me a moment.”

He goes to the car behind me and a moment later, Scarlet jumps out of the car and rushes up to mine.

“You made it!” she says excitedly. “I’ve got her, Ray,” she tells the guard then gets in my car. “How are you? How was the drive? Thanks for coming!” she says in rapid succession.

I laugh. I thought maybe it was the alcohol talking when I’d spent time with hier before, but apparently this is Scarlet’s personality all the time.

“I’m good. The drive was boring. And I wouldn’t miss it,” I say as she directs me to the packhouse. There’s something different about her, but I can’t quite tell what it is. “How are you?”

“Oh girl! You are in for some tea today! I can’t say anything but be very glad you didn’t miss this party!” she says, making me very curious.

“Do I at least get to know who the tea is about?”

“I can’t say anything, but all will be revealed and you will hear it here first!”

“I can’t wait.”

When I park, I get out and look over at where Sloane and Daniel are getting out of their car.

“Happy Birthday, Alpha,” I say.

“Thank you, Stephanie,” Sloane says, coming over to hug me.

10:43 Sat, Feb 14

The moment she steps close to me, I feel it. Sloane was a powerful Alpha before, but now …

“What’s going on?” I ask as she pulls me into a hug. “Where did all this power come from?”

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“Umm, so I have bit of news,” she says. She looks around quickly, then pulls me aside. I look at Scarlet who is silently clapping her hands. This must be the news.

“So, Uncle Roman will announce it to the pack later, but long story short, I am Alpha Waylon’s biological granddaughter from his son Derrick, my mother’s fated mate. My grandfather handed the pack over to me yesterday. I’m officially an Alpha of my own pack,” she says.

I’m pretty sure that my mouth drops open.

“You’re a female Alpha. A REAL female Alpha? Like the first one in history?” I ask.

“And I’m the first female Beta,” Scarlet says, rushing over excitedly. “I told you it was good tea!”

“Holy shit. When Scarlet said there was tea, I assumed it was that you and Benedict are mates.”

“Oh, we are,” she says.

“WHAT? On top of everything else, you’re mated to Benedict. Wait, how will that even work?” I ask.

“We still have to figure that out, but we have some ideas. Just, don’t say anything yet, okay. I mean, after today, the rumor mill will be flying I’m sure. I’m guessing Benedict already told his pack. He stopped there on the way here.”

“Wow… just… wow!” I don’t even know what else to say. “Are you happy?”

“I’m so happy. Terrified and nervous, if I’m being honest, but yeah, I’m happy. And Benedict is over the moon excited that we’re mates. I hope this won’t change things between us, though. I don’t have many friends, and I’d like to keep the ones I’ve got.”

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“I’m not going anywhere. Are you kidding me? I’m getting some fucking popcorn so I can get a front row seat and watch you make history girlfriend!”

I hug my friend, just as Daniel announces that someone is coming down the lane.

“Is it Benedict?” Sloane asks.

“No.”

We walk back over to where our cars are parked.

“It’s Will! He’s the Alpha and friend I told you about,” Sloane says.

“Oh good! I was looking forward to meeting him. I’ve never met any of the southern Alphas,” I say.

As the car gets closer, Ema stands up in my head.

‘Ema?‘

She doesn’t answer me, but she pushes forward, focused entirely on the car headed our way.

My gaze clashes with pale blue eyes holding the same intensity that I’m feeling flowing through my body.

‘Ema?‘ I ask her again.

I sense Sloane turn and look at me, but I can’t look away from those eyes. It’s like I’m trapped by his gaze, unable to look

away.

10:43 Sat, Feb 140

“Scarlet, step back, honey,” I hear Sloane say as the car comes to a halt.

The moment he gets out of the car, Ema sighs.

“Mate,” she purrs.

“Mate,” he growls.

In three long strides he’s in front of me, his chest heaving as much as mine is.

“Will, Stephanie. Stephanie, Will,” Sloane says in rapid fire introductions.

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It seems that was all Will was waiting for before he pulls me into his arms, his mouth crashing against mine. His intoxicating scent of mahogany and spice wraps around me and the feeling of his possessive growl vibrates through my body. The electric tingles I’ve heard so much about light up all over my body and I wrap my arms around his neck, responding to the passion of his kiss with my own.

I have no idea how long our kiss lasts, but when Will finally pulls away, both of us panting, I realize that many more cars have arrived, and Sloane, Scarlet, and Daniel are long gone.

“Stephanie, is it?” he asks.

“Yes. Alpha Stephanie, if that matters to you.”

“No, but I’m pleased to know that the Moon Goddess felt I was worthy of an Alpha as a mate,” he says, running his nose against mine. “Is there someone I need to speak to about making you mine and taking you home with me, other than you?”

he asks.

I chuckle. “I’m an Alpha and an adult. I make my own decisions. Although, I’d like to discuss stopping in my family’s pack to let my family know I’ve met my mate, let them meet you, and pack my things.”

“Of course. I’ll make arrangements to be away from my pack longer. I’ve been looking for you for a long time, Stephanie.”

“Sloane said you were twenty–two. That’s not that long,” I say, grinning as he rubs his face against mine.

“What else did Sloane say?” he asks.

“That you’re one of her best and very few friends.”

“I am. Does that mean you’re a friend of hers too?” he asks.

“I am, a recent one, but a good one, I think.”

“Good. My pack is allied with Alpha Roman and his three packs. I wouldn’t want to have any hard feelings at the beginning of our mate bond.”

“No hard feelings, unless you’ll be upset to find out that there’s one more alliance you’ll want to make before we leave here,” I say to him.

He frowns and looks at me. “What alliance is that?”

I grin again. “I’ll let Sloane tell you. It is her birthday after all.”

“Mmm, it is. We should get inside and celebrate her birthday so we can sneak away and celebrate our mate bond sooner rather than later. Do you have any disagreement to wearing my mark by tomorrow morning?” he asks.

“None, as long as you intend to wear mine as well,” I say.

“Proudly,” he says, grunting before pulling away from me.

10:43 Sat, Feb 14

“Shall we?” he asks, holding out his arm for me.

“Let me get her gift,” I say, rushing over to my car and getting my overnight bag and Sloane’s gift.

“Ah yes, the gift. That is why I’m here,” he says, chuckling.

He gets his own bag and the gift for Sloane before coming back to wrap his arm around me, kissing me again.

“I hope you don’t mind if I stay by your side all afternoon and evening,” he says.

“I’d be offended if you didn’t,” I say, as we walk inside. It seems the party has already started out back.

“I think you and I are going to get along just fine,” he says.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

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.