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.

may not have been able to save him like he did me, but the least I could do is give him

thing too

before the smell of that ***awful perfume rips through my nose. We are all standing in a circle when Lila comes

you are, my Alpha!” Lila wraps her hand through Declan’s arm and bats her lashes up

at her, “What do you want now,

cut the cake, silly.” She doesn’t let her smile waver, and we all know that she is

CHAPTER 20

mating ceremony, Lila! Stop trying to make it more than what it is. You got yourself a title, and I got myself an heir, that’s all. If you want cake, then go eat some *****!”

eyes land on me, they harden, “What the hell is she

Amelia speaks up for me, ” Alpha

be happy that another of our allies came, since most apparently, don’t think much of you being my Luna.”

uninvited! Is this how it’s always going to be between us? You lean on HER for everything instead of

my Luna, remember that it was forced upon me, not fated, or chosen.” Declan states. He faces me once more, “Allow me

would love that, 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 I’m considered to carry both titles.” I giggle and then

new Luna, but Tala’s ***comes out every time. If only Lila wouldn’t be so nasty, then I could continue being the nice

it!” Declan turns

pack smiles at me warmly. He’s in his mid-thirties and is widowed. He lost his wife during childbirth; his son survived, but his Luna didn’t, ” Ah, yes! Quinn,

and return his smile. “Yes, Alpha Deke. I’m surprised you remembered after

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

will keep that in mind. I’m happy with just having Sun River as an ally.” I

his.

to hear about your

a double take, “Excuse me,

men laugh, but then Amelia is the one to explain, “Deke’s mother was mine and Daniel’s older sister. She passed away quite a few years ago.

of your losses, Alpha Deke. So, all three

but this is the only male cousin that I actually like.”

throws his head back and laughs, “That’s only because

cuts it

in front of Declan, so I just remain quiet. I 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

my attention, “Are you ready to

around. I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.” | glance around

beside him, Amelia steps in and we chat while the males have their conversations, but I always keep my ears open in case they talk about actual Alpha business. I