Page 21 of Challenged Mate
“Yup.” Kayla’s hand rested on the door handle, but she didn’t pull it open. “Our communities are spread all across Alaska. This is the largest one, but the others are decently sized, too. Sometimes, packmembers mate within their own communities, but more often than not, they find someone from a different community.”
“I see.” So, there were even more females in the Wilds Pack who had vied for the chance to be their alpha’s mate.
Perfect.
Six
I finished orderinga caramel macchiato from the barista at the register, then joined Kayla at the two-person table positioned by the front window of The Daily Bean.
Several pairs of eyes followed me along the way. I showed no sign I noticed their attention; I’d gotten used to their scrutiny these past four days. Soon, the novelty of my presence would wear off. At least, I hoped so.
Realistically, the Wilds Pack’s interest in me probably wouldn’t dwindle until long after I mated their alpha.
And since I had no idea when that would be, I just had to deal with the assessing stares and gossiped whispers that followed me everywhere I went.
The moment my butt hit the chair, I felt a silencing barrier slip into place.
I sipped my coffee and looked around the shop, noticing I couldn’t hear many any of the conversations occurring around me. “Is it normal for everyone to put silencing barriers around themselves in public?”
Kayla removed her lips from her Frappuccino, licking the whip cream from her mouth before she answered, “It’s pretty normal, but we do have some full-blooded shifters in the pack who aren’t able to create barriers.”
I hummed, then sipped my drink.Interesting.
“Does the barrier make you uncomfortable?” Kayla asked, misunderstanding the reason for my question. “I can drop it if you’d like. I just figured you might want some privacy.”
Kayla glanced around the coffeeshop with narrowed eyes and continued, “Since everyone in here seems determined to be nosy.”
Though they couldn’t hear her, those around us must have read the meaning of Kayla’s words in her disapproving expression. Several averted their gazes and went back to speaking with their companions.
I smiled, finding her irritation on my behalf sweet. “No, it’s okay. I was just wondering. And I don’t blame anyone for being curious about me.” I’d probably act the same way if I were in their shoes.
“Maybe, but the least some of my packmembers could do is actually talk to you rather than stare from a distance.” In our last training session, I’d confided in Kayla about how standoffish everyone had been since my arrival.
I shrugged, repeating what I’d told her then, “It’s fine. I didn’t expect a warm welcome. I’m an outsider.”
“But you’re also the only female alpha-heir inhistory.” Kayla leaned forward. Her eyes grew wide as she spoke. “You might not believe it, Blair, but I’m serious when I say you’re a hero to most of the females in this pack. When our alpha finally decided to pursue a mate, it didn’t surprise any of us that he set his sights on you.”
My eyebrows lifted. “You make it sound like your alpha has been celibate.” And that all he cared about when it came to a mate was how the female’s status would reflect on him.
Kayla snorted. “He practically is. The guy was born too serious. All he cares about is leading the pack and delegating responsibilities to the gammas leading the other communities. I don’t know the details of his love life for obvious reasons, but I’m sure his romantic exploits are minimal.”
I did not believe that for a second.
There was no way an unmated alpha didn’t have females throwing themselves at him—hoping to become his partner. Doing so would make her the top female in the pack, second in power only to the pack beta. And all shifters craved positions of power—male and female.
“You’re saying there isn’t a single female within the Wilds Pack the alpha wasn’t interested in mating?”
“Nope.” Kayla popped her lips as she said the word.
I shook my head. “I don’t buy it.”
“It’s the truth. Our alpha’s always been a lone wolf, pardon the pun.” Kayla smirked, then added, looking thoughtful, “To be honest, the entire pack was surprised when he suggested the mating alliance.”
I lowered my coffee. “Really?”
“Really,” Kayla confirmed. “But if he were to mate anyone, I suppose it had to be you.”
“Why would you say that?”
