Page 195 of His White Moonlight
“It’s not fun eating your own words, Bennett.Be careful of the promises you make.”
We ended up going for a run anyway because I was restless and he could smell it.Homework helped the time pass once we were back home.
Around dinner, Grandma stopped in to check on me.The whole family knew that I thought something bad was going to happen at the pack run.That everyone knew reduced the chances of something actually happening, but only marginally.After all, Bennett was rich, handsome, and a shifter, and he and I weren’t from the same world.We were a shitty match in everyone’s eyes, outside of the Wulf family.And the Wulfs were outnumbered, even if they were the ruling pack family.
Grandma reassured me that nothing would happen and that Bennett wouldn’t take his eyes off me.I nodded, pretending to go along with it, but she could smell my disbelief.Just before dusk, she kissed my cheek and reminded me to be a menace.
“I always am,” I said.
The meetup location was about twenty minutes away from Alpine Run.Bennett drove us since he was familiar with where we needed to go.It gave me time to overthink everything.
The pack ran on a swath of land that covered over twenty square miles.Trees covered the majority of the land, with a few meadows along the river that meandered through the north side.I’d need to avoid the meadows and stick to the trees.Climbing was my only hope.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize we were close until Bennett pulled into a gravel parking lot already partially filled with cars.
His hand covered mine when I reached to unbuckle myself.
“I can smell your nervousness,” he said softly.“No one will hurt you.”
I studied him in the dim light, seeing his concern but also his tension.The way his gaze dipped to my mouth showed the direction of his thoughts, though.It brought back memories of my last visit here and the unbridled matings that had occurred.
“You’re thinking about everyone else, but what about you?”I asked.
His shock was pretty clear in the fading light.
“Never.”
“I’ve been to one of these before, you know.Mating during the rush of the run is a common occurrence.What are the chances we’re going to mate tonight?”
His mask slipped into place.
“Have you changed your mind about accepting your place as my mate?”
“No.”
“We won’t mate until you do.”
“Are you sure?Because then I’ll never be your mate.”
I reached for my door and got out without waiting for him.His answering growl and knowing what waited for me in the trees kept me by my door until he joined me.
“Ready?”I asked, holding out my hand.
He glanced at it, his conflict visible in his expression, before he motioned for me to follow without taking my hand.I internally sighed.By not holding my hand, he was essentially declaring he didn’t care about me, which would incite the females to act against me.While that worked for me in terms of gaining my freedom, it was counterproductive for leaving this run without serious injury.
Several more cars pulled in as we walked the path to the small clearing just inside the trees.People were already talking and undressing, preparing for the run.The moon was bright in the twilight, its light hiding nothing.
I didn’t look, and I didn’t let myself feel any embarrassment.The people here already had enough fuel to reject me as their future Alpha's mate.I didn’t need to humble myself more.
Mom and Dad stood near the front of the clearing, talking with another couple.Thankfully, they were both still dressed.When Mom saw us, she smiled and motioned us forward.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.
My nod of acknowledgment was the best I could do because I wasn’t glad.I would have preferred a quiet night at home—alone—eating a pizza and watching a show.
“You probably don’t remember the Duneklins…”
Mom slipped into her hostess role and began reintroducing me to the pack members.She didn’t say I was Bennett’s mate, but rather, I was the daughter her heart always yearned for.She kept me close to her side with an arm around my shoulders.
