Page 23 of Fated to the Rogue

“True.” He shrugged. “But aren’t you excited to know what they’ve prepared for us? I’m already drooling just thinking about it. Let me see…” He closed his eyes, pointing his nose up and sniffing the air attentively. “Oh, looks like we’re gonna have lamb! The steak also smells delicious. And…” He stopped suddenly, his eyes bursting open again. “Do you smell that?”

I inhaled deeply. “Yeah. Smells like wagyu.”

“Not that.” He waved me off. “It smells…sweet. And creamy…like chocolate. But also wild and refreshing and floral like raspberries.”

“Are you describing cake? Since when do you care more about dessert than the main course?” To my shock, Malin simply ran into the dining hall without offering me any kind of explanation. “Dude, wait!” I yelled as I followed behind him, afraid he would toss himself over the buffet table. The scene I was faced with the moment I stepped into the room was definitely not what I expected to see though.

Despite how crowded the place was, it was easy to find my Beta. The hungry look on his face was nothing like I had ever seen before, and I had watched him devour lunch after skipping breakfast once. To add to my bewilderment, I realized he had a girl pinned against the wall. Her wavy, dark blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her clear blue eyes were filled with confusion.She was indeed beautiful, but Malin had never shown any interest in random girls before. All he cared about was finding his… Oh, wait.

“Your name?” Thanks to my werewolf hearing, I could understand his words even though he was a good few feet away. Judging by his deeper voice, I guessed Mint must have been fighting his human for control.

As surprised as the she-wolf was, she didn’t seem the least bit scared. I watched as my best friend gently traced the freckles on her cheeks. A lust-filled growl escaped his parted lips when her eyes locked on him.

“Amaya,” the woman revealed.

“Amaya…” he hummed her name as if it was the sweetest melody he had ever heard.

“What the hell…” I thought out loud, but before I had the chance to ask him what was going on, a large shadow jumped in his direction, immediately yanking him off the girl and knocking him on the ground. Only then did I realize the guy who attacked him was Gamma Amell.

“Get your dirty paws off my sister!” the Gamma growled.

“Mate!” was all Malin yelled in response, his eyes glowing a more vivid shade of green as his wolf pushed closer to the surface.

Oh, shit!

Both men were so blinded by rage, they didn’t even acknowledge the poor girl begging them to stop. I was still thinking of what I could do to prevent the white floor from turning red as a fight threatened to break out, when Alpha Ruben suddenly walked into the dining hall. Every wolf immediately took their seats, leaving only us standing in the middle of the room.

“Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?” he asked calmly. After two seconds went by and he hadn’t gotten a response, he frowned. “Stop this savagery right now!”

It was evident he had used his Alpha tone when his Gamma instantly let go of my friend to lower his head at Ruben. His body was still shaking with anger, but his wolf couldn’t fight a direct command from his leader. On the other hand, Malin didn’t seem too willing to listen to someone who wasn’t his Alpha. He was about to pounce on the man when I realized things would get ugly unless I stepped in.

“Stand down, Beta!” My roar echoed through the room.

For a moment, he just stood frozen in his spot. I could tell Mint wanted to fight me off for getting in his way, but in the end, he had to obey me. Malin turned to face me before dropping to his knees. The situation was finally under control.

“Care to explain what the fuck is going on?!” I demanded. How could he behave so impulsively when we were guests in another Alpha’s territory?

“M-my m-mate…” he stuttered, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Amaya is my mate, Alpha.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Amell growled.

“Gamma,” Ruben called serenely, catching his friend’s attention. “That is no way to treat our guests. Especially your brother-in-law.” He scowled, causing the man to shrink in his place before approaching the she-wolf. “Is Malin Shepherd your fated mate?”

“Malin Shepherd…” she repeated, tasting my best friend’s name. He groaned as he looked at her. “Yes, Alpha.”

“It seems like our issue is settled then.” Ruben gestured for Malin to rise again, but he only did so after I nodded my approval. And the second I did, he jumped to his feet and ran towards the woman as if they were lovers who had been kept apart for decades.

There was no doubt in my mind he was ready to have his first kiss, but Gamma Amell interrupted him by clearing his throat. The glare my Beta flashed at him was honestly scary.

“Isn’t love beautiful?” the Alpha chuckled before turning to the crowd who was still staring at us. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen, there’s nothing to see here. Let’s feast!”

???

After the whole situation, dinner was…awkward, to say the least. Shortly after the commotion, Dad and Warrick arrived, and I proceeded to tell them what had gone down in their absence. Ruben invited us to join him and his team at the Elite members’ table, where Malin and Amaya kept exchanging glances. Gamma Amell made his discontentmentveryobvious by glaring at my best friend the entire time, yet the scolding he had received earlier made him behave. As soon as the newly-found mates finished eating, they excused themselves, and I went back to the guest suite alone.

Well, I guess it was nice to know our trip wasn’t in vain - at least one of us wouldn’t go back home empty-handed.

I was lying in bed when I heard the door open. Malin was glowing as he walked into the room, and a smile played on my lips.

“Finally, huh?”

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