Page 60 of Destined Mate

“You’re welcome, Alpha.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” Jerome answered, looking at his full plate. “This looks so good. And that was Elder Rodgers.”

“So, he’s an elder.” Wesley took his seat.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Jerome said as he buttered a biscuit.

“Unfortunately?”

“Let’s just say he’s not a fan of mine.” Jerome shrugged as he bit into his biscuit.

“Because…?”

“I’m not really comfortable saying. I don’t want to color your judgment toward him.”

“I’m afraid it’s a little too late to worry about that. I’ve noticed his disrespect toward you, and I don’t like it. What’s his problem?”

“His problem is he wanted his omega son, Stanley, to be Li Li’s mate. Not me. But not only was Li Li not interested, she mated outside of her pack. Elder Rodgers has resented me ever since and isn’t shy about voicing his displeasure.”

“If that was all he had done, maybe it could be forgiven, but he crossed the line when he made a deal with the rogue alpha,” Henry said as he sat down across from Jerome. “He wanted Jerome gone and saw a way to accomplish that.”

Wesley laid his fork down. His vision suddenly sharpened, letting him know his eyes had changed to that of his wolf. “Explain.”

Henry eyed Wesley as he moved uncomfortably on the bench seat. “He told Elmer about Jerome’s birth pack, which is a wealthy and fairly powerful pack. So that was already one strike against Jerome.”

“He didn’t want my birth pack asking questions about me and my treatment. That’s one of the main reasons he auctioned me. He was going to tell my parents I ran away,” Jerome said.

Wesley growled softly.

“He also said I wasn’t young enough looking,” Jerome said quietly. “Elmer said Stanley had the look that he liked.”

“You also have a brain in your head,” Henry added.

“Apparently, he liked them young and dumb,” Jerome agreed.

“I don’t know the exact ins and outs of their deal, but Elder Rodgers was told that his son would become the alpha mate. And before you feel bad for that omega, you need to understand he’s nothing but a troublemaker and bully,” Henry said. “He’s always causing problems.”

Jerome sighed. “He doesn’t like to be told no.”

“I see. So, you’re basically telling me an elder of this pack betrayed its alpha mate,” Wesley said. He’d never heard of such. What was wrong with those wolves?

“Yes. You should also know that any time Li Li held a meeting with the elders, Elder Rodgers belittled Jerome every chance he got. He’s by far the worst.”

“The worst? Explainthat,” Wesley said.

“Elder Horner’s a friend of Elder Rodgers. He isn’t quite as disrespectful, but he comes in a close second,” Henry said.

Suddenly, Wesley’s breakfast didn’t appeal quite as much. He wondered why Li Li would put up with such, but it was a moot point. Maybe she had her reasons, but Wesley wasn’t having that kind of disrespect aimed at his mate.

“I see. Well then, that’s a problem, and I’m not a fan of problems,” Wesley said as he took a sip of his coffee. “When Li Li met with the elders, how were they notified?”

“I sent out a text message,” Henry said.

“Good. Would you send a message for me to them? Tell them I want them in my office in an hour,” Wesley said. “Also, add that the Council of Wolves has deemed me the official alpha of this pack, just in case any of them want to question that.”

“My pleasure. My absolute pleasure,” Henry said as he pulled out his cell and started typing.

Wesley turned his attention back to Jerome. “I didn’t mean to ruin your breakfast.”

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