Page 40 of Destined Mate

As Wesley approached him slowly, he saw Jerome’s breath hitch. Wesley hoped it was all in acceptance and anticipation. He gently pressed his thumb against Jerome’s bottom lip, opening it before allowing their lips to collide in a heated kiss.

Then the kiss ended, and he roared again. Theo, Duncan, and Keith howled in joy. The pack joined them, their voices full of joy and acceptance.

“My name is Wesley Valentino, and as the winning alpha, I claim this pack as mine, and it’s alpha mate as mine too.”

There was a howl.

And another.

And another.

Chapter Eleven

Wesley

THEN THE entire pack howled their acceptance and allegiance to their new alpha. The call began as a low rumble, a sound that quivered with relief but also excitement, and quickly grew in intensity.

The voices of dozens of wolves melded together into a singular, throat-chilling cry that filled the night. The air vibrated with the sheer force of their voices.

The cries moved like a wave, cresting and falling in perfect harmony until it almost seemed as if the very ground pulsed with the sound.

This was Wesley’s pack now.

The call echoed into the night, and a few seconds later, he sensed the initial, hesitant stirrings of a pack bond beginning to form. It was a gentle, faint connection at first.

Suddenly, it surged toward him like a tidal wave. He was engulfed by it, embraced by a warmth and unity that was both overwhelming and exhilarating.

They accepted him—every single one of them—welcoming him with open hearts and minds. As he recovered from that, an intense and unbreakable bond formed between him and Jerome, so powerful that it nearly knocked him off his feet. The connection was palpable, an invisible thread woven tightly between them.

Waves of emotion surged through him, leaving him breathless.

As if sensing his unsteadiness, Jerome wrapped his arm around Wesley’s waist, pulling him close as Wesley’s knees began to tremble. Holy shit, even Jerome accepted him.

It wasn’t merely acceptance—Jerome had embraced him warmly and sincerely. The entire pack had. The beauty of it had tears welling up in his eyes.

As he turned, he met Jerome’s gaze, observing the subtle tremor in his body and the rosy flush that spread across his cheeks due to what had just happened.

And what was yet to come.

Had Jerome figured out his connection to Wesley? Was he able to pick up on Wesley’s scent? Did his heart race when Wesley was near? Wesley could scent Jerome’s desire, which was promising, particularly given that Wesley was drenched in blood.

But did Jerome know he was Wesley’s Fated mate? Could he tell? The scent of passion was good, but Wesley expectedsomething… more. Or perhaps the blood and unfamiliar scents on Wesley were confusing Jerome’s senses?

Or was it something else? Perhaps something psychological? What had Jerome endured this week under Elmer’s leadership? How much of a mess was Wesley going to have to unfuck?

As much as he wanted to throw Jerome over his shoulder and carry him away, the weight of leadership pressed upon him, demanding his attention and focus. Only then could he allow himself the joy and relief of tending to his mate.

“Food,” Duncan said, hurrying over to him. “You need food.”

“Steak?” Theo asked as he joined them. “Or how about some steak?”

“All the steaks,” Wesley said with a tired smile.

“Congratulations, by the way,” Keith said as he raced over. “You scared ten years off us.”

“Yeah,” Duncan said, glaring at the dead bodies. “Those fuckers.”

“We’re proud of you,” Theo said.

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