Rylee hated them as much as she did. Nice to have one of the most powerful lycans in her corner. She imagined they’d scoff at the modern idea that Rylee had made her an honorary beta. “I can’t claim Slade, but no way in hell will I let my sisters lay a claw on him.”
“Cricket, I know you and Slade have strong feelings for one another, but he’s under strong pressure from the king and his family’s legacy not to act on his feelings for you.”
“For me? Nah. We had sex and it was hot, but we know the score.”
Rylee smiled. “Don’t lie. Trust me, you’ll eventually get used to his absence.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t believe in this royal crap, but the kingdoms keep our werewolf packs in line and secret from human society.”
“I understand.” Cricket forced a smile and left. As she walked back to her room, her heart warmed. Slade and her spent precious time together and on their last night, they broke their laws by claiming each other. Naturally, their mating was null and void, but she could at least go on knowing that in a different world, one where she was born an alpha and not a runt or maybe one where he was born an omega or even a runt they’d be together for all eternity.
Slade had spent three fucking weeks away from Cricket. Abella. He’d been stuck at King Conan’s castle. The royals, a bunch of entitled alphas complained about the lack of good alpha mates and how the change killed more and more of their kind. With all the inbreeding, not a big surprise. Each alpha princess who introduced herself, though beautiful and holding powerful status had annoyed the hell out of him. None prettier or braver than Cricket. Their aroma, though pleasant, left him longing for Cricket’s sweet honeyed scent.
The king face tightened. “Slade, having a female mate won’t interfere with an occasional romp with others.”
So that’s it. He thinks I should keep Cricket as a fuck buddy. “Your highness, I would never betray my mate.”
“Why the reluctance to date one of our lovely princesses?”
“Perhaps at the ball, I’ll meet one who pleases me. For now, I only wish to rest.” How could he tell the king his heart and soul belonged to a runt, a mate he’d no desire to betray?
“I understand. You are a hero, but one who has seen and been forced to experience the darker side of our kind.”
“Cricket and Nikolay are equal heroes.”
“Yes, of course. They’ll be given the medal of honor for lycan heroism along with you.”
“Cricket should be given beta status amongst all the packs.” In his book, she was all alpha. His heart.
“Rylee gave her beta status, but I’m afraid as brave as she is, outside her pack we cannot allow it. Who know what the packs might demand next? Omegas might claim the right to marry betas or for heaven’s sake, even mate an alpha.”
To think that at one time, he’d agreed to such nonsense. Wolfstrom and King Conan were not that far apart. “As a hero, I think Cricket should be allowed to take a mate.” As long as it’s me.
“A runt is the weakest link. If she breeds, we might as well mate with humans.”
“Like Dominic did.”
“Mia is human, but she is a direct descendant of Stallo, and her genes will increase our chances of surviving the change.”
As is Cricket. “I understand, but why not our omegas?”
The king’s tone turned angry. “I heard the runt offered you comfort while you suffered morphopsychosis. Is there more to this bond?”
As much as Slade wanted to challenge him, he didn’t want to die at the hands of the king’s army of guards and end up costing Abella her life. “Only respect, my sire.”
King Conan roared in laughter. “Lust. I’ve seen her and even I have thought of humping her ass, but don’t confuse that with love.”
Slade contained his rage. “Nonetheless, my first priority is to Team Greywolf.”
“Your duty is to return to your Yukon Territory with a mate.”
“Why? I have no pack and at the moment, no mate.”
“You will. I’m ordering lone wolves to return to a pack. Your territory.”
There was nothing worse than being in charge of a lycan who hated being part of a pack. “I doubt they’ll come willingly.”