Page 50 of Enemy Wolf

In the old days, it was said that alpha werewolves could have their pick of females in the pack, and it didn’t matter if their choices were mated or not. If that were still in practice, Derric would have no protests from whomever he picked. The scars covering him only added to his appeal. They were his trophies, his hard-won reminders of why he led Howling Death. Instead of growing fat on a throne with a crown on his head, Derric kept his position by remaining a well-honed weapon.

His pups, whenever he had them, would be the future leaders of Vargmore, the closest thing werewolves had to royalty. Naturally, females gravitated to him like bees to honey. And right then, I was getting really fucking antsy about him walking closer to my mate.

Looking like a fucking lumberjack, no less. Bastard.

“We did have a nice time.” Shiloh tightened her embrace around me, linking her hands together on my stomach. She sounded tired, and I felt her cheek rub the back of my shoulder. I inhaled discreetly and she did not smell aroused.

Thank the moon.

“Shiloh told me something we need to discuss with the whole pack,” I said.

Derric stared at me, his whole body tensing. “Something wrong?”

I placed my hand over Shiloh’s. “Yes, a dragon shifter has been threatening her. Threatening the whole territory.”

The alpha’s lips pulled back, his eyes flashing gold as he growled. “When did this happen?”

“He first came a few weeks ago,” Shiloh said in a small voice.

“And you didn’t alert us?” Derric demanded.

“She was scared,” I growled back. It was a serious risk snapping back at my alpha like that, but for Shiloh, I’d never hesitate. “He threatened to burn the territory if she didn’t do what he asked. This isn’t her fault, alpha. He cornered her.”

Derric backed off, his face relaxing into a controlled mask. “I understand. I’m sorry, Shiloh. Would you be able to tell us everything now?”

I squeezed Shiloh’s hand, hoping to give her strength, some encouragement. She squeezed back, her whole body curling around my back like she was seeking out my protection. I’d never felt more proud to be her mate. Sweet moon, don’t let me let her down.

“Yes,” Shiloh answered in a small voice. “I just want him to be stopped.”

“Thank you.” Derric gave a curt nod at me. “Alert the whole pack, and tell them it’s urgent. We’re tackling this right now.”

* * *

Twenty minutes later, we were in the great room of the Howling Death lodge, surrounded by the whole pack. Tables and chairs were dragged out from the dining area, since this was more of a pack meeting than someone coming to petition Derric directly.

Shiloh was directed to sit at the center of the biggest table, and I remained glued to her side the whole time. If anyone was surprised that I was acting like a protective mate, none of them said shit. Even Sawyer, who I knew had been close with Shiloh at some point, wisely kept his distance.

Only Tryn came up to me after greeting Shiloh briefly. He clapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear, “Mated looks good on you, friend.”

I shook my head as he walked away chuckling. Of course he’d know before the mating bites even happened. Shit, he’d probably known for months already. Damn prophetic wolf.

“Thank you all for coming.” From the head of the table, Derric’s voice projected over the low murmurs and barks of conversation. “There’s been a report of a dragon shifter threatening the territory.”

Angry growls and howls erupted before he could go on any further. While our kind didn’t directly have a history of conflict with dragons, they almost always sided with the vampires, who we did have an ugly, bloody past with.

“Fuck those flying lizards!” someone yelled, earning a chorus of barks and howls in support.

“Shut your muzzles!” yelled Ruse, Derric’s VP and second in command. “We have to come up with a plan, mutts!”

When that didn’t work, Derric got up from his chair, jumped onto the table, and let out a shrill whistle that hurt everyone’s ears. Even Shiloh, who didn’t have an ounce of canine in her, winced at the sound.

“The way we all feel about dragons is not news to me,” he said. “So save your moaning and listen before you jump in with your opinions. No howls, not even a squeak, until Shiloh is done talking.” He stepped off the table, landing gracefully on the floor before nodding at her. “The floor is yours whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” she said shakily.

I rubbed her back for support, keeping my gaze fixated on her profile. If she gave me a single glance, released a single breath that seemed like she wanted out of here, I’d whisk her away to my room without a second thought.

But my mate was brave. She took a deep breath, then lifted her chin as she began to tell her story.

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