Page 52 of Destined Mate

“Son? What’s going on?”

Wesley grinned and hugged Jerome closer, pulling him into view of the video screen. “Mom. Dad. This is Jerome. Jerome? That’s my mom, Elaina, and my dad, Alpha Merrick Valentino. Guys, I found my Fated mate. He’s the omega who was mated to Alpha Li Li of the Cross Creek pack.”

“Oh! Goodness gracious! Merrick! Did you hear our boy?”

“I’m right here, dear.”

“Oh hush, you.” Elaina swatted her mate, smiling widely. “Wesley! Congratulations. We’re so happy for you! A Fated mate. Hello, Jerome. It’s lovely to meet you. Welcome to the family!”

“Congratulations, you two. It’s a blessing to find your Fated mate,” Merrick said as he kissed his wife’s cheek.

Jerome offered a shy smile and waved awkwardly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both and thank you.”

“That’s one hell of a surprise,” Merrick said, shaking his head. “A very pleasant one, but it demands an exclamation of how you’re mated to the omega of Cross Creek, Son. What’s going on? The Luna’s Summons isn’t until tomorrow evening.”

Elaina popped back into the frame. “Tell us everything!”

“Let me give you the highlights.” Wesley tightened his grip around Jerome’s waist like he might disappear if he let go. “Well, it started off with what I can only describe as a dream about Jerome and the attack on his pack.”

It took a solid fifteen minutes for Wesley to describe everything that had happened since he had arrived in San DeLain.

“An auction,” Elaina whispered. “How could any alphadothat?”

“Because our species has assholes just like any other,” Merrick growled. “But you are okay, right, Jerome?”

“I am. It was scary and nerve-racking, but I hadn’t had a new vision showing me being carted off to South America, so while it was indeed scary, I had faith my alpha would show up.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Elaina said. “You can see the future? What a talent to have.”

“It has its ups and downs,” Jerome admitted.

“I bet,” Elaina said.

“So, I challenged Elmer and won, even though his two betas tried to attack me after the challenge was over. After I’d disposed of them, the pack and Jerome bonded with me.”

Elaina gasped. “They accepted you that quickly? You’re the new alpha of Cross Creek?”

“Yes,” Wesley said. “I am.”

“I guess the pack could see what I saw in Wesley,” Jerome added softly.

“That is amazing news,” Merrick chimed in again. “But that damn summons happens tomorrow evening and—”

“Just called the Council too,” Wesley added.

“You did? What did those old goats have to say?” Merrick asked.

“They were not happy with me, but considering they ignored what Jerome had told them about a rogue taking over Cross Creek, they had little room to complain about my actions,” Wesley said.

Merrick snorted.

“They said they’d send out emails telling the alphas who’d been invited that I’d taken over here, and my Fated mate is the omega of this pack. The problem is those alphas are already in San DeLain.”

“What are you saying? Do you think they’ll show up, anyway?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, Mom. But I do think they’re good alphas and won’t challenge me for alphaship since I’m mated to Jerome.”

“Are you fully mated to him?” Merrick asked.

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