Chapter 123

Chapter 0123

Dinner was great. I can see everyone watching us, watching Cara. It’s her first real public appearance and just as I expected, my mother circled her with ranked wolves to make sure she feels comfortable. I’ve been going back and forth talking to the others at the table while also keeping my attention on Cara and her conversations. I’m ready to swoop in if she starts to feel overwhelmed. When she asks where the restrooms are, I point her in their direction. I know she needs a minute to regroup.

I keep my eye on where she went. If it takes her too long to come back, I will go check on her. I want this to be a positive experience, one that she will repeat daily with me. It’s important to the pack and if she’s going to be my Luna, she needs to feel comfortable being a part of the large group.

Because I’m watching so closely, I see Sheila sneak over to the bathrooms. Oh hell no!

I get up and head over to redirect whatever it is she thinks she is going to say to my girl. This is not going to happen. Sheila has walked around a corner and doesn’t see me coming. So I overhear their conversation. Cara is even more amazing than I expected. She doesn’t get angry and doesn’t react other than to tell Sheila that jealousy isn’t attractive. How can Sheila be stupid enough to tell Cara that I would give her up. She knows she’s my mate, so she knows that will never happen. It’s ridiculous and borders on being insubordinate to her future

Luna.

So, I do what I’ve been doing, I claim her publicly. I know everyone is watching me as I begin explaining all the reasons why Cara is more worthy of my claim than any other she–wolf in this room, this pack, or the world. She is remarkable and most of the other wolves don’t know her strength outside the training field. But I do. And I make sure everyone else in the pack knows now too.

I knew announcing that our match on Monday meant she’d become my official girlfriend would throw the betting odds completely off, but I also wanted to stake my claim yet again. I’m thrilled that my warriors understand the importance of this match enough that now no one is betting against me. And Cara’s compromise of betting on the length of time is a good one. I know she won’t make it easy on me and I don’t plan to hurt her, so yeah, it will be a long match with me wearing her down until I can pin her.

When Artemis comes forward and announces that she will be shifting tomorrow, Kai pushes me out of the way to come forward. He’s been prancing around in my

+15 BONOS

head for days wanting to be with his mate. He’s practically purring in her ear when he asks about going on a run tomorrow. And that sassy little minx turns in our arms and smirks up at us. “Do you think you can catch me Kai?”

A low growl rumbles in my chest. “I will catch you little guardian. No matter how long you run, no matter where you hide, I will find always catch you.”

Her eyes flash a brilliant gold before Cara pulls her back and looks up at Kai. “No misbehaving Kai or I won’t let you two out together again, got it?” She scolds my wolf.

He rubs our face against hers. “Define misbehaving.” He says softly in her ear.

She scoffs, “You’re as bad as she is.” She nips my chin, now give Rik control, he needs to walk me home.

I pull Kai back and take her hand. She hasn’t stopped me from holding her hand yet, so I’m going to keep doing it. “Let me say goodbye to your parents.” She says, pulling me in that direction.

We walk over and mom gives her a hug. “I hope to see you again soon Cara. It was really nice having you here.”

Cara smiles at mom. “Apparently, I’m going to lose my match on Monday and part of my deal with Rik was to spend more time here in the packhouse, so I guess you’ll be sick of me before long.”