Page 62 of Destined Mate

“Thank you, Elders.” Wesley stood, helping Jerome off the desk. He walked him to the conference table and pulled out a chair for him to sit down. His ranked wolves formed a semicircle behind Wesley.

Wesley saw the elders take note of that.

Then Wesely motioned for the elders to sit. “I appreciate your prompt response to my request.”

Elders Horner and Rodgers grumbled but sat at the large conference-style table. Oh yes, they were making this quite easy for Wesley.

“Would you care to explain how the Council of Wolves awardedyoualphaship of Cross Creek and the omega Jerome?”Elder Rodgers demanded after everyone was seated. “We had an alpha.”

“Insolent old fool,” Elder Dillard muttered under his breath.

“We had a damn rogue not an alpha,” Elder Moore snapped.

“I’d be happy to explain,” Wesley said, keeping his eyes locked on Elder Rodgers. “And I should add that your arrogance is absolutely breathtaking.”

Jerome clutched Wesley’s hand.

“Jerome can’t even fight his own fights,” Elder Rodgers said with a sneer as he looked at their joined hands. “Your mate should be—”

“I most certainly can fight my own battles,” Jerome said quietly but fiercely. “And did.”

Wesley chuckled softly while Jerome narrowed his eyes at Elder Rodgers and growled slightly. That took nerve after what he’d gone through in the past week, but maybe it was because he felt safe with Wesley by his side. Whatever the cause, Wesley was happy to see it.

“Why don’t you let the alpha talk? No one is interested in what you have to say,” Elder Horner added.

Wesley growled, low and meanly. Everyone in the room shivered. Everyone but Jerome, who just smiled. Wesley studied each of them in turn, making eye contact with every elder present before speaking again.

“Tread carefully, Elder. That’s my mate you’re talking to. MyFatedmate. And each of you should be able to feel the bond between us, not to mention the mating mark.”

“We’re so thrilled for you, Jerome,” Elder Dillard said.

“Well, most of you are,” Wesley commented. “Anyway, the Council of Wolves issued a Luna’s Summons when notified of Alpha Li Li’s death.”

“We were aware—” Elder Rodgers started.

“I was one of several alphas invited to take part in it,” Wesley continued. “To make a long story short, I felt there was something wrong here and investigated. I stumbled across the rogue, his two betas, and Jerome’s auction.”

“Please understand, Alpha Wesley, none of us were there,” Elder Moore said.

Chapter Seventeen

Jerome

“THAT’S NOT true,” Jerome said, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief. He locked his gaze on to Elder Rodgers.

Silence stretched across the room as Jerome’s words landed like a bombshell. The elder refused to meet his eyes.

“One of youwasthere, isn’t that right, Elder Rodgers?”

The elder glared at Jerome.

“You told Elmer all about me and made a bargain with him concerning your omega son, didn’t you?” There was a pause as Jerome took a deep breath, preparing himself, steeling himselffor the hardest accusation of all. “So not only were you there, you also sold me out without a second thought.”

There was a gasp from Elder Moore. Elder Dillard rubbed his jaw, giving Elder Rodgers a disdainful look.

Jerome’s voice wavered slightly from anger and disbelief, but he pushed on, not letting his emotions get the better of him. “You sold me out for your own selfish purposes.”

Their bond flared to life and warmth flooded Jerome.

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