Page 49 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

It doesn’t sound bad. Before, when I imagined a life with an alpha, it was one of servitude and abuse. But that’s because Kurt was the only example of an alpha that I ever had. That, and my own alpha, who wasn't exactly there for me.

Life with these four might not be so bad.

Yet, none of it is real. Cayson, Ezra, and I… it’s all pretend, so that life can’t even happen. Even if I wanted it to.

Xander surprises me by asking, “And we would rotate nights with her?”

My cheeks heat, and all eyes are on me for a long minute.

When I don’t answer, Cayson says, “Some mated groups rotate, but I’d prefer a situation where we all slept in Faye’s bed every night, and she could enjoy… as many of us as she was prepared to enjoy each night.”

Xander tilts his head. “I would like that.”

“The more time with Faye, the better,” Maverick says, winking at me.

I feel strange. “But that’s only if we became a bonded group. There are reasons that might not happen.”

“Like what?” Xander asks.

“It’s complicated,” I say.

Servants suddenly come out with food, setting everything down at each table, including ours. I look around, realizing that all the tables have filled up without me even noticing. Addilyn is at a table with two alphas and two ferals, looking happy as can be. Maybe as happy as I feel.

We start eating a creamy shrimp and crab bisque that tastes like heaven. That’s one thing about The Selection: all the food is so damn good. It’s one of the few things I’ll miss about this place when I leave.

You know, and the guys.

“How do you like it?” Maverick asks, watching me intently.

I smile. “It’s delicious. Definitely better than my regular food at the cabin. There, I have a lot of fish, rabbit, mushrooms, and berries.”

“I imagine you’ll be eating pretty fancy at Cayson or Ezra’s pack lands,” Maverick says, flashing a smile. “I heard Pack Azure and Pack Steel are powerful and wealthy.”

Cayson shrugs. “We are, and you’re right. If Faye were to stick around us, I’d open her up to all new experiences, including good food and wine. I’d want to take her traveling all over, to see the world.”

And there’s no joking tone in his voice. For an alpha who doesn’t want an omega, he’s a pretty good actor. Hell, I almost believe him that he’s pictured that kind of life for us.

“I would like to travel,” Xander says. “As long as Faye is there.”

I smile at him, even though I shouldn’t. Even though I might be leading him on. “I’ve never really thought about seeing the world.”

“Well, you should,” Maverick says. “When we leave The Selection, all our lives will change forever.”

I give a nervous laugh. “I’m not great with change.”

“I’m not either,” Ezra says, “but some things are worth changing for.” His blue eyes linger on me for a minute too long before snapping back to our food.

The soup bowls disappear and juicy steaks and fancy potatoes come out. We all dive in, wolves through and through. And, man, I adore steak. It’s a rare delicacy, even in town.

As I’m finishing another bite, Xander asks, “What about the final member of our group?”

It’s hard to swallow the meat in my mouth, but I manage.

Ezra answers for me, “He will not remain with Faye. He scares her and is not a good man, so we’ll be pushing him out.”

“Is it that easy to get rid of him?” Maverick asks.

“As long as we all refuse the bond with him, yes,” Cayson answers, spearing a piece of steak. “And weallwill be refusing the bond.”

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