Page 50 of Destined Mate

“Certainly.” Jerome took Wesley’s hand. “Let’s go to Li Li’s office. Well, I guess it’s yours now. I shouldn’t have called it her office.”

“I’ll be using it, sure, but she was there first. It doesn’t bother me if you refer to her, Jerome. I know you two were mated.”

Jerome stopped suddenly and faced Wesley. “She was a good alpha and a good person. She never mistreated me, but our mating was nothing more than a business transaction. I want you to know that.”

“You didn’t love her,” Wesley said, cupping Jerome’s chin.

“Of course not. She didn’t love me, either. That didn’t mean I didn’t respect her.”

“I know. I saw exactly how much you respected her in that dream or whatever I had. I’m not jealous, sweet wolf.”

Jerome raised an eyebrow.

“Too much?”

“No. I’m just not used to having a pet name. But I do like it.”

“Good.” Wesley lowered his hand. “I’m not jealous because you were not her Fated mate. You’re mine. And that makes all the difference in the world.”

Jerome swallowed heavily, then nodded. Turning, he led them toward the office. Wesley followed Jerome inside.

“You can use the laptop,” Jerome said.

“Thank you. Would you, by chance, have the council’s phone number?”

“Yes, we do, as a matter of fact. Henry had contacted them before the rogue showed up. Want me to make the call?”

“I’d appreciate it,” Wesley said as he settled into the desk chair.

“There.” Jerome moved out of view of the camera and sat on the edge of the desk like he had done a million times before.

“Council of Wolves,” a female voice said. “How may I direct your call?”

“This is Alpha Wesley Valentino, formally of the Moonshadow Pack of San Diego, California. I need to speak to a council member because I am the new alpha of Cross Creek.”

“Oh. Oh dear. One moment, please.”

The screen went blank for several minutes. Wesley glanced up to see the look of concern on Jerome’s face. When he glanced back down, it was to see three wolves on the screen staring at Wesley.

“My name is Charles O’Connell. With me is Benjamin Reeves and Deacon Bush of the Council of Wolves. Two of our colleagues are out of the office. Now, explain yourself, Alpha.”

Taking a deep breath, Wesley launched into everything that had happened since he’d received the Luna’s Summons, the dream he’d had and what he’d seen, and the feeling that something was terribly wrong at Cross Creek.

“When I arrived, Alpha Elmer had already auctioned Jerome off to a South American pack. I challenged him and won, then his betas attacked me. I’ll have my beta send you the video as proof that I won and that Elmer’s betas interfered.”

“You do understand that alphas do not have visions,” Counselor Reeves said.

“Seeing that I am an alpha, yes, I know this. Doesn’t change what I saw.”

Three eyebrows raised at once, but they all remained silent.

“Let me tell you what else I know.” Wesley’s voice sharpened as he spoke. “Regardless of whether or not you believe me, I had dreams about Jerome and this place. I felt strongly compelled to come here.”

One of the members opened his mouth to speak.

“I am not done.” Wesley cut him off with a sharp gesture of his hand. “I saw the hunters’ attack. I saw Jerome!” He took a breath and grabbed control of his emotions and loud tone. Making an enemy of the Council was not the way to go, but damn.

“Jerome? Isn’t that the Cross Creek pack’s omega?” Counselor O’Connell asked.

---