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I scan the group in front of me. “What was your punishment?”

“We are on extra training,” Terry admits.

Nox nods. He doesn’t seem to mind, though. He has always looked up to my father and would probably accept any punishment without even batting an eye. I wonder why he even joined the group, but then my sister can be convincing, and he is very loyal to her too.

Aurelia stretches a bit. “And we are not allowed to leave the pack building or the pack grounds, for who knows how long.”

I give a slight nod. That’s reasonable enough. “You were lucky he was in a good mood,” I mutter. “Don’t try your luck next time!” I point at Nox. “Let one of the pack doctors take a look at that.” When Nox rolls his eyes, I lock my eyes with his. “That’s an order, not a suggestion. Just do it.”

I wonder when it happened that things like this started to rile me up rather than amuse me. A few years ago, I would have found it hilarious that they snuck out and started a fight in public. Now I can only think of the possible what-ifs and dangers.

I stop at my suite at the packhouse first, getting rid of my clothes and changing into something more casual. I take a deep breath, my jacket smells of smoke and alcohol, but I can also smell her. Roses, lemon, a hint of ginger… Her scent makes me feel dizzy.

She was so bold tonight. I didn’t expect her to be like that, but I very much liked it. She was just standing there in front of me, staring me right in my eyes without hesitation or fear. She wasn’t scared tonight. She never is.

Had we not been in the bar, I wonder how far the night would have progressed.

Of course, our mate is brave. Omega or not, who cares? She is not scared of us.Fenris sounds excited.She challenged us tonight. Strong mate.

If you start wagging your tail now, I swear I will lock you up in the back of my mind.I threaten him without actually meaning it.

Fenris growls.Hilarious. Be glad one of us has some sense of humor and knows how to charm a lady.

You know how to charm a lady?I snort.If I let you take over, you would throw a medium-rare steak at her and then fuck her against the kitchen table.

Funny,he complains.Steak is romantic. I bet she would like you to cook one for her.

He is not wrong, though. I could invite her to my apartment in town and cook for her. Sounds like a good idea, actually.

See?Fenris deadpans.

I admit, you just had a moment,I say.

Exactly, and if you want to fuck her, don’t blame it on me.

He is right once more.I was that close to marking her,I admit to him.And I didn’t even need you to come to the surface for it.

But you held back. You have an iron will,Fenris sounds pleased. He wants to mate with Annalise just like I want to, but his primal instincts push him towards her more. Yet he likes me being strong too.

This is why we work so well together.

I have already sent Aryanna away to get some well-deserved sleep and now I briefly meet with my second Beta. Dante was on patrol until Ari and I returned, so I’m getting him caught up on what he missed. He is almost ten years older than I am, in his early 30s. He has been watching over me since I was young. Whenever things got rough with my father, he was there to console me. He’s calm and composed, and for me personally, he was always an important guide. Dante is like the older brother I never had. Where Ari is impulsive, sharp-tongued and goes with her instincts, he uses his wisdom and experience.

“Anything new, Dante?” I greet him, feeling glad to see him and be able to talk to him a bit before he heads to bed too.

He shakes his head, stretching a bit. “Nothing. Just the usual. There have been a few rogues, but not many. What concerns me more are the rumors I heard recently.”

“What kind of rumors?” I ask. “And what do you mean recently?”

His lips tug into a grin. “Recently, as in tonight when I stopped the young wolves from ripping apart the bar. I believe your adorable sister was involved?” he teases.

I groan.

“They are young, though,” he says as he follows me downstairs towards my father’s office. “It’s normal that they test their strength.”

“They can test their strength as much as they want,” I point out. “But not when there are humans around.”

He tilts his head. “Not much I can say against that.” He chuckles. “Just don’t yell at them when you see them.”