Alpha's reluctant mate

ps, and recently, their friendship had blossomed into something more. He had hinted at asking her father for permission to become her mate, and she couldn't have been more thrilled

se. Her father, while loving her deeply, was first and foremost their Alpha, and he had to prioritize the well-being of the pack above all else. Her older brother and sister had mated with packs to the north and south, and

at something Fred had said, Jack, her father's Beta, greeted

Jack, wondering what could possibly require her presence. The assembly room was typically reserved for

ure. Her eyes scanned the room. The Elders seemed excited and pleased, engaged in conversation with a group of older individuals who were strangers to her

eeks and a full bottom lip. Sensing her inspection, he turned toward the door, and his amber eyes locked onto hers. There was a certain intensity about him. Slowly, he studied her from head to foot, lingering on her breasts and then her hips before returning to

his conversation. He walked toward her, still wearin

delicate sheen of sweat lent her sun-kissed skin a dewy radiance. Spotting a smudge of dirt on her pert nose, she swiftly wiped it away. Turni

your wolf form alone, especially during hunting season. Even

e stayed far from the proper

ou may have heard that the eastern pack has a new Alpha, Vegas." He nodded toward a man standing across the room, prompting

t both of us," he

able, and an unsettling sense

in power, we should forge a fresh alliance. Vegas is willi

Vegas, who regarded her impassively with his hands clasped behind h

otect against human threats. Moreover, allied packs provide broader territories and roaming areas." Her father paused

n bound to a male from the north? Back then, Lisa had been only twelve and more interested in the festivitie

wars, and most humans don't even know we exist!" In her desperation, Lisa began to p

aunch adherent of the old ways, as were many in their pack, and unquestioning obedience was the expectation. Being the youngest in the family, Lisa had received more leniency, with lower expectations. S

hey know we exist, but they persistently encroach on our terr

, and the Alpha had concurred. Going against the pack's edicts meant exile. Lisa had spent her entire life within the pack, and the thought of being al

l are here. Dinner is being prepared, and the pack is bein

entailed was too overwhelming to contemplate at the moment. She was familiar with the concept, and sex wasn'

she saw Vegas standing beside her father. "I'm pleased to meet you

but next to the new Alpha, she felt positively petite. Her father nudged her with his elbow, and she realized that Vegas had extended his hand toward her. Tentatively, she reached out

nd a reassuring squeeze. "I'll see you later, at the ceremony." Vegas glanced her up and d

n nudging her toward the door. "Go and find Sarah. She's been instructed to help you get ready." Sarah, Jack's wife and something of a surrogate mother

sed it as impossible. There was nowhere she could hide where she wouldn't be found, u

mptly silenced. It was all for the greater good of the pack. Being mated to an Alpha would elevate her status

at too was denied her. It wouldn't be proper, and there was no time. Were these genuine reasons or mere e

Lisa marveled at how Sarah could conjure a feast for an army on such short notice. The food was undoubtedly delicious, but she couldn't bring herself to eat. Well-wishes from pack members followed, along with speeches from the Elders, and then the bonding ceremony commenced. Veg

initial meeting, and she cast furtive glances at him as they walked across the moonlit lawn. Should she break the silence with some words? Her mind raced for an app

ating could be painful, and given his size, she held little hope that it would be a gentle experience. If it had been Fred, it would have been different. She had feelings f