Page 22 of Claimed

“You’re telling me a lot about your pack when I don’t deserve to know anything.”

“Yeah, you do deserve to know, sweetheart, because it’s your pack now, too.”

“I don’t understand why you’re being nice to me. This doesn’t… make sense.”

“Because…” I take her hand and press my lips to her palm before I say, “Even if youthinkyou came here to do harm, it’s clear what you’re really here for is to become mine.”

“But you don’t have to be nice to me in order to fuck me and sire pups on me. If that’s even possible. The pups I mean.”

This surprises me. And angers me. Because it shows why she wanted this over with. Why she trembled so badly waiting for me to just do it. Someone who’s had her hasn’t been nice about it. My blood is nearly boiling.

“Looks like you’re gonna need to forget all the wrong shit you learned in that pack and learn the way an alpha treats his mate, learn the way alphas take care of their people. Mating you is about a lot more than fucking you, Stacy.”

I’m being aggressive because I’m pissed off, but it’s got her shaking again, so I reel it in.

“It was clear you were forced to do it the minute I caught you and you burst into tears. Those weren’t tears at getting caught, theywere tears of remorse and fear. I knew immediately it wasn’t an act. You were forced into it for a reason, though. Not with whatever is being held over your head. It’s so you could meet me. So that I could catch your scent and know who you are to me.”

She stares, not saying anything.

“The seven Arcana Falls pack council alphas are born over a twelve-month period and have always mated consecutively in birth order. I knew it was my turn coming up, just didn’t know how long of a wait I’d have because of extenuating circumstances with Riley, our third born. Also didn’t know if I’d get a human, a witch, or some other supernatural species.”

She tilts her head with question.

I explain, “Ty’s mate is human. So’s Mase’s. They both mated recently.”

She looks surprised. “Humans? I thought I smelled humans here. Outside that barn.”

“Yeah, we’ve got some humans here. You smell them, do you?” They’re not close enough for an average shifter to recognize that scent.

She nods. “I have a strong nose.”

“Got a few humans and half-humans in the pack. Mase and Ty’s mates… they’re sisters, recently joined, but while they’re human, they’ve got some Fae blood way back in their family line. Their story is a whole twisted tale because of some interference by witches. But then Riley’s mate is one of those witches and it turns out she’s my cousin on my mother’s side and part of the coven that formed this pack.”

“Sorry, but um… Fae? Fae exist?”

“Apparently they do, though rumor has it they don’t show up too often. Never met one myself, but I’ve heard stories. Rumor has it they cause havoc whenever they do show up.”

“I’ve heard terrible stories about Fae. But my brother said he’s pretty sure they’re just rumors made up by witches.”

“Not made up.”

“And you said your cousin is a witch? Which coven?”

“Young coven. Why? You have a connection? Tell me a Young witch didn’t give you those potions…”

She shakes her head and bites her lip. “Not Young, no.”

My shoulders relax. “A different coven?”

She nods.

I keep talking. “Haven’t met many from my biological mother’s side of the family yet, but I have talked to a few of them on the phone. My cousin just got here tonight to face her mate. Another long story. Too much info tonight might make your head spin. But yeah, giving you the gist so you know your mate isn’t just one of the seven Arcana Falls council super alphas, I’ve also got blood of the Young Coven. This means our kids will have witch blood in them, too.”

She blinks dazedly for a minute.

“You okay?” I ask. “Got questions? Ask.”

She snaps out of it. “You use magic? Make potions?”

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