Page 20 of Claimed

“He doesn’t believe in it because he hasn’t scented his mate yet. Once he does, that’ll change. He’ll have one mate for life.”

Her expression shows she’s skeptical.

“Betas and omegas usually mate for life as well. Family structure is important to wolf shifters.”

“Not to everyone,” she says softly.

“Not in your pack?”

She shrugs.

I frown. “It’s important here. We take care of our own. Take our relationship with our mates seriously. The bond is sacred. Not the case in your old pack, obviously.”

“Not lately, no. It used to be like that, sort of, I guess. Before.”

I wait for her to expand on that. She doesn’t, and I told her I wouldn’t bombard her with questions, so I continue explaining, “You’ll soon see how it’s supposed to be. Obviously, betas breed without limitations and make up the majority of every pack.”

“Yes,” she agrees.

“And you probably know omega males have difficulty breeding, omega females being the opposite – they often have multiple births, go into heat more often, right?”

“Um… I didn’t really know that.”

There’s a good chance she’s omega. It’s what my nose is suggesting, but time will tell.

“Alpha males only breed with their fated mate unless she’s infertile or dies, then he’ll be able to breed with an alternate female.”

I can see her mind working, but she says nothing.

“His body chemistry will change if he mates and hasn’t gotten pups out of it within a year or two of his first knot and his knot will no longer function in a way that prevents him from impregnating a female other than his mate. An alpha won’t want to take another mate. Some will still refuse to do it even if their mate isn’t fertile, especially these days since there are alternatives.”

“I’m not fertile,” she says softly, sadly. “I already know this. I think it’s because of our water.”

“Not likely,” I correct. “You’re fated to be mine so nobody can sire pups on you besides me. I can’t sire them on anyone but you.”

She looks both surprised and skeptical.

“I bought this place planning on a big family,” I say, caressing her face, feeling my heart lighten at what looks like hope flaring in her eyes. “And that’s not just up to fate nowadays. Science has come a long way with infertility in wolf shifters so it’s not hopeless for those with issues. But no reason to believe you’re gonna have a problem. Your pack numbers dwindling?”

Her teeth sink into her lip as she stares at me.

We’ll talk about that later. I continue with, “Alphas are meant to keep growing the pack so why would fate choose you for me without giving you the ability to sire pups for me? This isn’t regular shifter biology; this is a large and important pack that I was meant to help lead – it’s intentional. This area is very magical, very fate-driven.”

She takes a big breath and her body relaxes. My body is anything but relaxed. I want to feel her. Touch her everywhere. Make her neck and back arch with pleasure. I want to bury my tongue between her legs. Make her come. Then fit between her legs and bury myself in her. Feel my knot for the first time in my life asher legs bracket my hips, as her mouth pleads for more. I want all this fiercely. But nurture takes priority, and I feel like I’ve made progress with communication at least, so it’s a start.

“So, when an alpha catches his fated mate’s scent, other females cease to exist for him in a sexual way. Sex with anyone but her won’t even be much of a memory because they say it doesn’t compare. And I’m looking forward to basking in the truth of that with you.”

Her eyes travel my face but there’s still fear in the air.

“This pack operates differently than what happens with single alpha packs, Stacy. Instead of one alpha running the show, the council allows us to share the load, take care of one another. So one alpha doesn’t have to manage that on his own. It’s never a burden because you’re not alone.”

“I knew that part,” she says softly.

“Seven are chosen not just through battles, though there is a physical element, but more it’s a process that helps the pack see who the best candidates are. And beyond council alphas, the rest of the pack isn’t just betas and omegas. Someone in your pack would lose alpha traits after losing a battle to be alpha. Doesn’t work that way here with the magic of the area. Shifters with alpha traits are still welcome, retain their traits, and they also help us look after our pack. In fact, some say they think they’re stronger for it, because we don’t squash their ambitions.”

“My pack’s alpha wouldn’t stand for that. He rules everything and everyone. Ambition? That’s a four-letter word where I’m from.”

“The magic of this region as well as the way our pack was formed works to make it possible for more than one alpha to rule. Everyone in this pack has a voice. Young, old. Alpha, beta, omega. We support and nurture everybody who needs it. Maleswho aren’t appointed to council and feel the strong desire to form their own packs can go do that. We don’t see them as a threat. Those who want an active role here and demonstrate the ability to help us benefit the entire pack are offered a role that they’ll excel in.”

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