Page 64 of Their Marked Mate

“I knew this was coming,” Caden said before Alex could begin. “Fallout was inevitable. What have you decided to do? Does Bloodstone pack need to choose a new alpha?”

“That’s up to Bloodstone pack,” Alex insisted. “My concern is the alpha council. Your rebellion nearly cost you your life. If Natalie hadn’t been spying on us, you would be dead.”

Caden touched his throat as he said, “I’m aware, believe me.”

“So, what the fuck do I do with you? How do I ensure that it never happens again?”

Caden thought for a moment then looked into Alex’s eyes. “Scan my mind, search every memory, every emotion. I was wrong and I will never betray you again.”

Accepting the invitation without hesitation, Alex boldly pushed into Caden’s mind. Caden gasped and then shuddered as Alex scanned. It was painful; Alex made sure it hurt. This was a test, a cleansing, and Alex wanted to make damn sure that Caden learned his lesson.

He sensed bitterness and frustration, but the emotions felt like echoes rather than current motivations. For just a moment he saw a woman’s face. This must be the female that started it all, the one Caden desired but was claimed by one of the eagles. Alex hovered over the memory, probing the events more deeply. Caden still thought about her with regret, but another image had replaced it. Evelyn, soft-spoken yet strong. Her steady wisdom was the perfect complement for Caden’s volatility.

“Do you love her?” Alex intentionally asked the question without indicating which female he meant.

“Evelyn is special,” Caden said earnestly. “I didn’t realize how special until I woke up in this bed.”

Satisfied that Caden’s need to defy him was in the past, Alex released the alpha link. “You will apologize in front of the alpha council before you’ll be allowed to participate again.”

“Yes, alpha. I have no problem with that.”

Alex nodded, then turned to go.

“Alex.” Caden was not addressing the village alpha; he was calling to his friend and cousin.

Alex looked back at him.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Pleased with the outcome and confident that the situation was resolved, Alex smiled. “You need to claim Evelyn. She’s perfect for you.”

* * *

The next morning Luna went to her lab feeling buoyant and refreshed. Sensing her mates’ emotions gave her a sense of completeness that she’d never experienced before. The connection wasn’t intrusive, which surprised her. When she’d heard her friends describe the link, Luna imagined something more overt. During sex the emotions and sensations had nearly overwhelmed her, but this morning everything calmed and faded into the background. Alex and Nate were there, a comforting presence in her mind. But they felt supportive rather than intrusive.

She’d been in the lab less than an hour when someone knocked on the door. She opened the portal and found Natalie Morgan standing there. “The alliance isn’t official, but I’m hoping it will be soon.” She held out the first responder’s kit. “I heard about Shannon and figured you could use this.”

“You have no idea.” She took the case from Natalie, resisting the urge to hug her. “Thank you. The scanner alone is invaluable.” She motioned to the room behind her. “Would you like to come in?”

“Thanks, but no. I’m on my way to the clubhouse to find out what your mate decided. If you’re willing to tell me, of course, you can save me the trip.”

Luna laughed. “As of breakfast, they were still deadlocked. Getting pack alphas to agree on anything is nearly impossible.”

“All right, then I better head over.” She pointed to the case. “Hope it helps.”

Luna carried the first responder’s kit to the kitchen and placed it on the countertop. She opened the case and retrieved the scanner. The information this device could collect was so much more sophisticated than that provided by the one she’d been using, it made her want to march over to the clubhouse and smack heads together. The pack alphas had to agree to the deal because she really needed this equipment.

She carried the scanner to her desk in the corner of the living room. The impulse to keep it with her was silly, but she indulged in it just the same. She activated her datasheet, ready to reassess her strategy and make a new plan. But Shannon’s image wouldn’t leave her mind. She needed to see her friend, run new scans to ensure that there was no lasting damage. But Luna wasn’t sure if she should disturb Shannon while she was in the grip of bonding fever. Not willing to move on until she determined the scope of her mistake, Luna sent a message asking if Shannon would stop by the lab.

An hour later Shannon arrived with one of her mates. The male kissed Shannon on the mouth, but waited outside while Shannon visited with Luna.

“I’m so sorry this happened,” Luna said as the friends embraced. “I feel so guilty.”

“There is absolutely no reason for you to feel guilty,” Shannon stepped back and smiled warmly. “The urges were shocking because they hit so suddenly, but I’m not upset about the outcome.”

Luna tried not to picture the scene she had witnessed the night before. It had been so savage, so animalistic. “Five mates is quite a challenge.” She chose her words carefully, needing more information but not wanting to upset Shannon. “Are you really okay with that outcome?”

“I only accepted three of them,” Shannon explained. “That’s the advantage of the omega formula. Going into heat was intense, frightening even, but I controlled the bond just like you said I would.”