The Alpha Who Saved Me

CHAPTER 20

I’ve been arguing with myself all morning long as I get ready to go to a ceremony that I’ve been uninvited to. I know he only did it because he didn’t want me to go with Gavin, but it still hurt me. I haven’t talked to him since that day in his office, and it’s been killing me, so I just try to keep myself busy at all times.

Gavin comes to visit almost every other day and is always a gentleman, so I really don’t understand what Declan’s problem is with his own cousin. Gavin had asked me himself if I’d be his date to the Luna ceremony, but I had to decline the offer. So, now I’m standing on the side of the packhouse, listening to the growling voices of the soon-to-be-Luna and Alpha Declan.

The fact that Lila actually thought that she was marrying the Alpha today makes me want to laugh. I peek around the corner and can see the expression on Declan’s face as he tells her in a not so kind of voice that he isn’t marrying her. The audacity of the woman, I swear! Not only did she use Declan to get pregnant, but now she’s trying to trick him into marriage, also? When will it ever end? I feel horrible for the Alpha, he doesn’t deserve any of this, even if he did make a mistake.

They are already halfway through the ceremony when I come back to awareness. Stepping out and moving forward, I stop once more when I feel my heart stutter and begin thumping once again. Startled, I glance towards Declan, and he’s looking straight at me. I see him look around me; I’m assuming he’s looking to see if I’m with anybody, but I’m not. I nod at him, and I can see a slight lift to the side of his mouth before he continues the ceremony.

Once Lila drinks from the cup, Declan says a few more words that will create the band-like bond between Luna and the entire pack. She will now be able to communicate with any pack member through mind link. Only the Alpha and Luna can mind link pack members in both human and wolf forms. The rest of the pack can only communicate with other pack members through the mind link when they are in wolf form.

I watch as different pack members make uncomfortable faces when they feel the bond snap into place. I’m so thankful that I am no longer part of this pack because I don’t know how I would handle having that ***in my head all the time.

After the ceremony was over, the crowd disperses and I move forward to speak to Amelia, “How is my favorite adoptive mom?” I ask from behind her.

She whips around and a smile brightens her face as she pulls me in for a hug.

“Oh, my sweet Quinn! I’ve missed having you around.” She pulls back and then covers her mouth as she gasps, “I apologize, it’s sweet Alpha Quinn now, isn’t it?” The older woman chuckles.

“Not to you it isn’t, Amelia, and I better not catch you ever using that title with me.” 1 chide with a smirk.

“Well, just look at you! You look so much older since I last saw you. Are you eating? I don’t see any meat on these bones!”

“Will you stop harassing the poor woman, Mother. Quinn looks ravishing as always.” Declan’s compliment makes me blush as he leans in to kiss my cheek

“Thank you, Declan, you’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” I turn toward Amelia, “I love the suit, you have a good eye.”

“Hey, how do you know I didn’t pick it out?” Declan pouts.

Amelia and I look at each other before we burst out laughing.

“Oh honey,” Amelia turns to her son, “Don’t ever lose your charm.” She pats him on his chest.

“Hey beautiful, it’s good to see you here! I thought you weren’t coming.” Carter slides up beside me and gives me a side hug.

not have been able to save him like he did me, but the least I could do is give him some moral support.” I smile up

thing too because

***awful perfume rips through my nose. We are all standing in a circle when Lila

Lila wraps her hand through Declan’s arm and bats her lashes up at

glares down at her, “What do you want

cake, silly.” She doesn’t let her smile waver, and we all know

CHAPTER 20

it more than what it is. You got yourself a title, and I got myself an heir, that’s all. If you

around our circle and when her eyes land on me, they harden, “What the hell is

don’t have to say anything because Amelia speaks up for me, ” Alpha Quinn is an ally,

should be happy that another of our allies came, since most apparently, don’t think much of you

us? You lean on HER for everything instead of me, your Luna?” Lila whines and crosses

that Quinn will always come before you, she’s family. As for you being my Luna, remember that it was forced upon me, not fated, or chosen.” Declan states.

thank you, Declan.” I turn to his mother. “Amelia, are you coming along? I’m sure you would do better introducing me to the Lunas. As a female and an Alpha, I guess

when I’m around the new Luna, but Tala’s ***comes out every time. If only Lila wouldn’t be so nasty, then I could continue being the nice she-wolf that everybody knows, but no,

so glad you were able to make it!” Declan turns toward

of the Sun River pack smiles at me warmly. He’s in his mid-thirties and is widowed. He lost his wife during childbirth; his

“Yes, Alpha Deke.

ally and friend we lost, or his family. I was incredibly surprised, to hear that you had survived, though.” He takes my hand in one of his and then covers it with the other, “I was also thrilled to hear that you have taken over as Alpha. Please, let me know if there is anything that my pack can do for

kind, Alpha Deke, but I will keep that in mind. I’m happy with just having

his.

your situation,

double take, “Excuse

then Amelia is the one to explain, “Deke’s mother was mine and

So, all three River packs are related then, interesting: I hadn’t known

only male cousin that I actually like.” Declan

back and laughs, “That’s only because Gavin is too much like

again—” Declan growls but cuts it short

glance around the backyard while Amelia and Declan begin conversating with Deke. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as soon as my eyes land on the new Luna, who is across the yard, staring daggers at me. I honestly don’t know why she doesn’t

my attention, “Are you ready

I’m sorry, I was just letting my eyes wander around. I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.” |

to an Alpha with his Luna beside him, Amelia steps in and we chat while the males have their