Page 48 of Destined Mate

AFTER EVERYONE had finished their meal and tidied up, Wesley asked a few of the younger pack members to gather any large tree branches or sticks they could locate.

As the pups hurried away to carry out Wesley’s orders, accompanied by a few pack members, he took Jerome aside. “Do you recall my suggestion about having a bonfire?”

“I really thought you were kidding. I see that you’re not.”

“No. If there’s anything you want burned, why don’t you go get it?” Wesley cleared his throat. “That goes for the rest of the pack.If there is anything that you know of that belonged to the rogue and his betas, bring it. We’re going to burn it all.”

Another cheer went up.

“I know you are doing this for me, but I think it will also help them,” Jerome said as Marcia joined them.

“I agree,” Marcia said. “Jerome? Would you like me to go with you to that damn room they kept you prisoner in?”

Wesley let out a low, rumbling growl, his eyes narrowing momentarily before he quickly turned to Marcia with a look of concern etched across his face.

“That wasn’t aimed at you. My wolf isn’t happy with that knowledge, that’s all.”

Marcia let out a long breath. “Thank you for that. There was a time when none of us would’ve had such a reaction. Li Li was good to us.”

Jerome nodded.

“I know Elmer was here long enough, and did enough damage, that now people will react to any sort of negative emotion I might have. I do understand that. That’s why I immediately said my comment wasn’t aimed at you,” Wesley said. “At any of you.”

He was fully aware that the wolves surrounding him could hear every word being spoken.

Time. It would take time.

“What are the odds there might be some marshmallows around here?” Wesley asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Al whooped with excitement and made his way back to the kitchen as Jerome and Marcia entered the pack house. Wesley observed that Theo trailed behind Al.

Keith was talking to Henry, and a couple of pack members surrounded Duncan. He was telling of the mischief the four of them had gotten into when they were just pups, and Wesley was okay with that.

If it helped the pack to see that he was not a black-hearted evil bastard, he didn’t care how embarrassing the stories were.

Wesley watched as Jerome and Marcia left, and he made a promise to himself—by this time next week, that damn room was going to be remodeled, at the very least.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t tear the room out of the pack house, but maybe he could wipe away the memory of what it was. He doubted it, but he had to try.

HALF AN hour later, they had a roaring fire going, its flames a vibrant orange and red. Sparks danced upward, disappearing into the starlit sky. Anything having to do with Elmer and his betas was being consumed by the inferno.

Someone produced a guitar, its polished wood gleaming in the firelight, and struck up a lively tune. Soon, some pack members joined in with spirited singing.

After they roasted and ate several bags of marshmallows, Wesley rose to his feet and cleared his throat. The group instantly fell silent.

“I know it’s been a rough week for all of you. You lost your beloved alpha because of a hunters’ attack, a rogue and his betas showed up, and then he promptly abused you and your omega,” Wesley started off.

“That’s not all he did,” Lakisha said. “He killed Bay Ung-Jook and Jensen Hart, two of our betas. We also lost two enforcers, Poppy Smith and Damar Jackson.”

“I’d gathered something had happened when I showed up, but I did not know this. I’m truly sorry for the loss your pack has suffered. Were you able to mourn your people properly?” Wesley asked.

“We were allowed to bury them. That’s about it,” Jerome said.

“That’s something else we’ll add to our to-do list,” Wesley stated. “We’ll mourn the loss of our pack members. Even though I didn’t know them personally, I can sense the sorrow through our connection.”

The relief that came through the bond from the pack was strong.

“Also, I want to officially announce that Jerome is my Fated mate. Many of you might have already sensed this through our pack bond and my increasing connection to him, but I wanted to confirm it for everyone.”

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