“We think so, because Savannah insists that she wouldn’t be strong enough to hold a place in the prowl. As it was, she and Naomi were in constant fights with the other kids. I think she was tired of it.” Jeremiah sighed.
Harper held up a hand. “Our granddaughter has since said several times that she would not mate with an alpha, any alpha. So we think that was part of it too.”
He scoffed. His mate was more than strong enough to hold a place in their prowl. Without the help of a panther, she already held her son’s place. Hell, the fact that her son, only twenty five percent panther, fully manifested said a lot about her strength.
“What do you think can be done?” Derrick spoke from the door.
Harper sighed and shrugged. “Joelle came to us and told us that Savannah would be alpha female. We’ve done what we could to…help her along in that direction.”
Jeremiah grunted. “There is only so much we can do without pushing her away. Of course that didn’t stop us from trying to set her up with the stronger alphas in the area. You’re the first ones she’s reacted to, half of the battle is already won. She and Naomi are going to have to take their positions in the prowl eventually. It starts with Savannah, so I wish you both luck.”
Carlos looked at Derrick and his Beta raised an eyebrow. “Thank you, for bringing this to me.” He stood and held out his hands to both elders.
They shook hands and left. Derrick shook their hands as they passed him and closed the door behind him.
“What do you think?”
He groaned. “It can’t hurt, Beta.”
“You sure about that? I don’t want to push her away.” Derrick slumped in the chair, his exhaustion all over his face.
“You want to wait…how long?”
Derrick grunted and changed the subject. “We checked the whole territory and there were some unfamiliar scents lingering in some areas, but they were long gone.”
Carlos rubbed his eyes in exhaustion. “Ok, are the women settled?”
“Yes, they are in the building, some of the country prowl along with them. It’s like a sorority house in here.”
“Please say that where they can hear you, I’d love to see what happens.”
Derrick smiled. “Anyways. I talked to the contractor. They’ll be done in the next two weeks with both buildings so we can move everyone in.”
“Fine. Go get some rest then.”
Derrick stood. “What are the chances I can go up to your apartment and convince our mate to lay between us?”
“Worst she could say is no, right?” Carlos shut down his computer and stood. He looked forward to sleeping cuddled up with their mate.
Derrick smiled wistfully. “I don’t want to overwhelm her just yet. I’ll be in my apartment if you need me.”
“We need to finish the bond soon. The sooner the better, Beta. If nothing else, sleeping in the same apartment as her will help your panther settle.”
“I guess nothing beats a try.” Derrick sighed and ran a hand down his face. “I’ve been waiting my entire life to spoil my mate.”
Carlos laughed and walked around the desk to meet him at the door. They walked to the elevator. He slapped his Beta’s back as the elevator doors closed. “What makes you think our mate is going to let us spoil her?”
Derrick smiled and shook his head. “Yeah, we’ll need to work on that.”
They entered the apartment together, the sound of the giggling kids filling Derrick’s heart.
Derrick grabbed Ella as she ran up to him. “Hi, my darling girl.”
She preened. “Beta, are you staying?”
He kissed her on the cheek, inhaling her innocent scent. He loved the little girl, and had from the moment he and Carlos had rescued her.
“I’m going to try and convince Savi to cuddle me to sleep, think it will work?” He whispered in her ear.