Page 63 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

Joe held up a hand, shaking his head. "That's not what this meeting is about. That incident is settled, but it showed us that trouble within our territories can bleed out and affect everyone. We can't just have your unaffiliated pack right on our borders when clear, open communication is so key to our success."

Jayce leaned forward, and there was something like hope on his face. "What exactly are you proposing?"

"A trial period," I said, pushing a stack of papers and a pen towards the newer Alpha. "For one year, you and your pack will be a temporary addition to the tri-pack alliance of Crystal Creek. If the arrangement works for all of us, then we'll formalize it."

"What if it doesn't work?" Jayce asked.

"Then we reassess, or eliminate you." I shrugged when Jayce bristled. "But I think we should all give it a chance."

"If you join us," Joe said, "it means sharing some information. You'll be included in our meetings, you'll have to make reports. There's no hiding. We need to know what's going on with your pack, and vice versa."

"I'll have to tell my pack about this?"

I nodded. "We can't have any secrets. That's how we all got into this situation in the first place. If you join us, then you're one of us."

Jayce studied us, his gray eyes cold and calculating. "I'll agree to this trial period on one condition. I get to run things my way. My pack stays separate from yours. That means I don't have to follow your rules or laws. My wolves don't have to abide by your pack rules."

Samson grunted. "That's already how we work. I run my pack a little more progressively than these two, but since Scott has taken a mate as well, and an outspoken one at that, his pack is changing too. Joe, on the other hand..."

"Hey," Joe protested, smiling. "My pack is just fine. Besides, if we're all working together, then individual pack rules won't matter."

Jayce leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment before he nodded once. "Okay. That's agreeable to me." He looked between the three Alphas. "But why are you willing to do this?"

Samson answered first, folding his hands on the table. "Because having your pack so close to our territories without any communication or connection is a danger to us all. We don'twant to fight you, but we're not going to risk being blindsided if you need help or cause trouble."

"Understood."

From there, Jayce signed all the necessary paperwork, and we explained to him just what being part of our alliance would entail. I knew the terms weren't ideal, but I could sense his excitement, and I hoped that we'd made the right decision.

I walked Jayce out when we were done, leaving Joe and Samson to talk privately. I was glad we'd gotten everything settled, because I wanted to get back to Nayeli as quickly as possible.

Jayce paused at the door, giving me a calculating look. "You're serious about all this, huh?"

"Of course," I said, frowning at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Jayce shrugged. "I'm still not used to being around Alphas who take this sort of thing seriously. It's a nice change of pace. Look, I know you like me the least out of everyone, but I wanted to extend an offer to you. There are a few members of my pack who are very skilled in magic, and if your mate would like some assistance growing her power, they can help."

I wasn't sure how I felt about Jayce or his pack, but if there was anyone in his pack who could give her the guidance she needed, then I'd swallow my pride and accept his help. "Fine. I'll tell her, and if she's interested, she'll be in contact."

Jayce nodded and stepped back. "I appreciate you coming to me directly. I hope we can make this work."

He walked away, and I took a deep breath. Now that we'd managed to get Jayce on board with the alliance, I was hopeful we could return to normal. Well, as normal as things could be for us.

***

That night was the first time Nayeli felt up to going out, and I wanted to make sure she enjoyed herself. There was something eating at me inside, something I had to say to her, and with the alliance solidified, I was feeling confident. I wanted to tell her exactly what I thought of her, and I wanted to see her reaction.

We skipped the restaurants and picked up takeout instead, spreading a blanket on the beach to eat while we watched the sunset. I'd gotten us Italian to make up the meal we'd missed after the library incident. Nayeli was all smiles as she dug into the lasagna.

The air had a touch of coolness to it, but not enough to bother us. The sky was a mixture of soft pinks, purples, and oranges, and it lit Nayeli's hair like a watercolor painting.

"This is nice," she said happily, leaning back against me.

I pressed my lips to her ear. "I wanted to do something special for you. For both of us."

She hummed softly. "For both of us? That sounds promising."

I smiled, pressing another kiss to her neck. I hadn't told her why I'd decided to take her out here, or what I was about to say, but I hoped she would be just as happy as I was. After everything that had happened with the darkness at her old house and Jayce's pack, I was more determined than ever to give her the world.

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