Page 19 of A Kitten for Alpha Kenny

“Gods, I love the sound of that.”

“Me too.” He kissed the top of my head and scooped me into his arms. “Now let’s go get some sleep.”

And we did get some sleep—but not quite right away.

Chapter Thirteen

Kenny

I had finally made the big decision and accepted the gift offered me by the Wolfe Enterprises pack. Madeline had already taken the step when she was too little to do it on her own and had the honor accepted for her by her father.

But she was nonetheless a full member, and Mulder would be joining her later that night. The steps for me becoming one were more numerous and complicated, but I had faith that everything would come together.

Fate wouldn’t have given us to one another without there being a path toward happiness, and from where I sat—on the front porch of my mate’s home, that path was pretty clear. Zoe was going to be a great alpha. She’d continue growing the pack’s success as we’d done together up until now, and I had a feeling she wouldn’t see it as the burden I did. Everything she did as beta was done with such irrepressible enthusiasm that people were delighted to be part of any project she was involved with. And they respected her. Zoe was born and raised in the pack and had worked many of the jobs available there. She’d always put pack first and, in truth, was far worthier of being pack alpha than I’d ever be. But I’d always be available for consultation or advice if she wanted or needed it.

There would be no challenge, as long as she was willing to accept the title. A process for transfer did exist. If she didn’t want the job, things could be a lot stickier, but I wouldn’t think about that now.

Our new pack had a big ceremony planned for Mulder, and I was just honored to be invited since I had not yet been able to join. Aspen was the most secure pack alpha I’d ever met in his invitation to me, though. He was bringing in someone who hadheld his job and trusting that I wouldn’t become power hungry and try to take it from him.

Or perhaps he was just a good judge of character. As a beta, I’d be able to use my skills both in pack management and in business for the benefit of the Wolfe Enterprises pack. It was a position that suited me far more than my previous one.

“The ceremony is about to start.”

I glanced up to see one of the betas waiting on the walkway. “Thanks. I’ll be right there.” Mulder had been locked up with various pack members all day, learning his part in the ceremony, pack lore, having lunch, and generally being with them. Although he was just now finalizing his membership, he’d already been part of them for several years, and many of them wanted to have a part in his special day. While there was a sort of village where some members lived, many dwelled in ordinary neighborhoods in the surrounding area, and so the beta had been sent to pick me up and drive me to the ceremony in the village, an honor given the newest member’s alpha, who would usually belong already.

All things in good time.

I climbed into the passenger seat and rode to the open area in the village where people had spread out picnic blankets or set up chairs of various kinds. Off to the side were long tables laden with food. Everyone brought their best dishes, and a pig was just being lifted out of a hole in the ground.

At the front, a row of folding chairs had been decorated with balloons and ribbons, and in the center stood a gazebo, also decorated. “This is incredible,” I muttered.

“What? The ceremony? Doesn’t your pack have one for new people?”

“Uh, yeah.” But not like this. We’d only had one person join since I’d been alpha, probably due to our bad reputation that was just now clearing up. But all we’d had was a formal greeting andtaking of oaths on the front steps of the alpha house followed by cake and punch. I’d suggest Zoe up our game if she accepted the alpha position.

Madeline, who’d been playing at a friend’s home, came running up to me. “Lap?”

I lifted her and settled her on my thigh. “It’s an exciting day, isn’t it?”

That of course had her launch into a description of just how exciting it had been for her. She had mac and cheese for lunch and swung on the swings in the pack playground, went down the “big” slide for the first time with nobody holding on to her, and generally had a good time. As she finished her description, my mate filed in along with Alpha Aspen and his several betas. They took seats in the folding chairs and waited while all the rest who had been visiting settled into their chairs and onto the blankets.

The alpha never even had to tell them to be quiet. His pack was respectful, without fear. The same feeling I had been building toward with my pack. Maybe soon my former pack. The thought made me a little sad, but I knew I’d be happy here with my family. And Zoe would be a leader to be proud of. She wouldn’t take the job accidentally but with great forethought.

Madeline lay back on my lap and drowsed, the great events making no impression on her. She’d lived here almost her whole life, and that was one of the reasons Mulder and I had made the choice we did. This was our daughter’s home, where all her friends were, the pack school, and her safety and comfort.

The ceremony itself was short, but Mulder fidgeted from foot to foot as it went on, and I thought he looked a little pale. He’d probably had too much food today, since everyone would have plied him with treats. This pack was big on treats. And a whole dinner awaited.

After he took his oaths to pack and alpha and completed all the other formalities, there was a pack run. I had beeninvited to join, and I left Madeline with some of the elders who were playing games with them, keeping an eye on the food, and setting up a grill. Looked like the giant pig wasn’t the only barbecue happening. Everything perishable was in coolers or on ice, and we were only going to be gone a short time. This pack had their plans down for all occasions. And food was a big part of it.

I was happy to have been invited on the run, since it was technically a pack-only welcome to Mulder. I stripped and shifted along with all the rest, heading out into the wild desert. After a while, I noticed he was lagging a bit, his shorter legs having a hard time keeping up with the wolves. So I lay down, and he took the hint and hopped on to ride on my back for the rest of the glorious cavalcade.

When we got back, there was much eating and drinking, but my mate only picked at his food and didn’t want any of the spiked punch or home-brewed beer. He wasn’t a big drinker as far as I knew, but I had seen him have a cocktail or two at Animals.

“Do you want something different to eat? Maybe some lemonade to drink?” I didn’t like his color that looked a bit green. “Why don’t you lie down somewhere for a half hour or so?”

“I’m fine, mate.” He brushed aside my concerns. “Just all the excitement, I think.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but the whole event was in his honor, and I couldn’t drag him away against his will. “All right, but if you don’t feel better in a half hour, we’ll make our excuses and say Madeline needs to go to bed.”

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