Page 61 of Destined Mate

“You didn’t. That information was going to come out sooner or later,” Jerome said as he took another bite of his eggs.

“May I ask what you’re planning to say to the elders?” Henry asked. “And do you need your betas there?”

“All ranked wolves need to be there, so please let them know, Henry.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“And as for what I’m going to say? I’m going to be blunt about where they stand, especially since at least one of them was involved with the rogue. Elder Rodgers is going to leave this pack. Either he can go voluntarily, or I can banish him. His buddy too. The rest will pledge to me or leave.”

Jerome sucked in a breath. “They will not be happy, you know that.”

“Do I strike you as the type of alpha who cares if those kinds of wolves are happy?” Wesley asked.

“No. You don’t,” Jerome said.

“Good.”

“Okay, I sent the texts to Keith and the rest. I want you to know the pack will be relieved that you put Rodgers out. They all know what he did.”

Wesley nodded. “There’s no room for wolves like that in this pack now.”

“Thank you,” Jerome said.

Jerome smiled at him, but Wesley saw the unease in his eyes and sensed it through their bond too—an emotional scar left from being mistreated by members of his own pack for so many years.

When Jerome was more confident in his position, then maybe that would fade, but until then? Wesley would make certain no one took advantage of him again.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this so soon after your mating, Alpha Wesley,” Marcia said as she finished eating.

“Better now than later.” Better before anyone tried to organize a coup against him or scheme behind his back, that was for damn sure.

Marcia nodded knowingly and returned her attention to Lakisha and some other members.

FORTY MINUTES later, Wesley sat in his office, Jerome perched on the edge of the desk, waiting on the elders. His betas, gammas, and enforcer were there too.

Elder Rodgers, Wesley noticed, was the first to enter. Another elder trailed behind him, casting disdainful eyes and sniffing as he walked into the room. It looked as if the elder had rallied his buddy to his cause. The other two elders followed.

“Alpha.”

Wesley observed that one of the other elders gave Elder Rodgers a disapproving glance before eloquently baring his throat to Wesley. The last elder did the same. Rodgers and his buddy did not. That told Wesley all he needed to know.

“Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Alpha Wesley Valentino. I spoke with the Council of Wolves last night. I informed them of what had happened here—that I challenged the rogue who had taken over, who had auctioned Jerome, and who had abused this pack. I informed them I won.”

One elder sucked in a surprised breath.

“They also received the video Keith took of the challenge. My alphaship of this pack is not in dispute and the Luna’s Summons has been called off,” Wesley said. “Now, who am I addressing?”

“I am Elder Dillard,” one of the elders said.

“My name is Elder Moore.”

Those were the two who’d bared their throats to him.

“I am Elder Horner,” the third elder said.

“I am the oldest of the elders. My name is Elder Rodgers.”

And here were the two who had not bared their throats to Wesley.

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