Page 42 of Destined Mate

Henry cleared his throat. “If it’s okay with you, Alpha Wesley, some pack members could go ahead and get those steaks you want going. I know wolves can run pretty fast, but again, wedon’t want to draw attention by moving at speeds a true wolf wouldn’t be capable of.”

Keith nodded. “Good idea. It’s Henry, right?”

“Yes. Henry Eaton. I’m one of the three betas who are left.”

“Left?” Keith asked.

“I’m sure there is a story there, but let’s wait until we get back,” Wesley said, seeing the pain that crossed Jerome’s face.

“Right. Right. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Henry. My name is Keith Hill. I’m Wesley’s beta. That’s Duncan Green and Theo Cook. They’re our gammas.”

“I apologize. I should’ve introduced them,” Wesley said.

Henry blinked. “Um, there’s no need to apologize. I mean, you just fought an alpha and two betas single-handedly. And won. Then claimed a new pack.”

“Still. We’ll formally introduce ourselves once everybody has a belly full of food. Are we ready to move out?” Wesley asked.

The plan was well-received, and then Keith, Theo, and Duncan shifted into wolves, quickly loping off into the trees toward the trucks.

Wesley turned to Jerome. “What are you planning to do? If you wish to run with us—”

“If I may, I’ll ride back with Henry.”

Wesley barely stopped the frown that threatened to form. Did Jerome not want to run with him? “Of course. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to run with you, Alpha. It’s just that, well, it’s been a long week, that’s all. Elmer and those bastards made sure I didn’t get more than two meals a day. My wolf is a bit weak at the moment.”

Wesley’s blood boiled at how casual Jerome sounded about that level of cruelty.

“Don’t worry about me.” Jerome softened his tone. “I’m okay, really. A few meals will fix me right up.”

“I’m going to have nightmares about you being hungry,” Wesley swore. “After you eat—after wealleat—you should rest. Thank you for telling me what you needed. I appreciate that.”

Jerome smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Wesley hated leaving him but nodded at Henry as Jerome joined him in the truck. Was his wolf happy with that? Absolutely not. That was his unclaimed mate in an enclosed space with another male.

He wanted Jerome, in wolf form, running next to him. Well, what he really wanted was to sink his teeth into his mate’s neck and fuck him until he cried out in pleasure, but neither option was what was best for Jerome, and he reminded his wolf of that.

His wolf grumbled but let it go.

Wesley watched them leave, then made sure the rest of the pack also had loaded up and left before he shifted and followed everyone. It didn’t take him long to catch up to Keith, Theo, and Duncan.

They ran as wolves, and Wesley was torn between exhilaration and disquiet. He wanted to let loose, enjoy the speed, the power of it, but the emptiness at his side nagged at him.

He hoped the run would help distract him, and the four wolves devoured the miles quickly.

The pack house finally loomed in front of them. Jerome, Henry, and the others had obviously arrived already. Wesley shifted while still running and slowed to a walk as he made his way toward the pack house and their vehicles.

Keith reached his side first, with Theo and Duncan not far behind. Jerome stood in the doorway of the pack house with a pile of clothes in hand, watching every move Wesley made.

“We just got here,” Henry said. “I mean literally just got here ten seconds ago.”

“It’s true,” Al said. “He ain’t lying.”

“Al,” Jerome said calmly. “It’s okay.”

“I’m only reassuring the alpha.”

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