Page 55 of New Blood

The loud clinking of a glass tore her from her thoughts. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jude rise from his seat while the conversations ebbed.

“I have an announcement to make,” Jude started.

Her heart beat erratically now. Was he going to announce their mating, even though he’d promised not to?

Everybody looked at him expectantly.

“William Gallagher’s hearing before the Werewolf Alliance took place earlier today. They’ve come to a decision.”

Suddenly, the room was devoid of sounds. Relieved that Jude wasn’t breaking his promise to her and curious about William’s fate at the same time, Danielle held her breath.

“He’s been exiled to Canada.”

Several gasps reached her ears. She noticed Flora’s jaw tighten. She’d had a close relationship with William, though Danielle always thought that it was an unequal one.

“He’s not allowed to return to California or settle anywhere in the US. The Werewolf Alliance in Canada will make all further decisions.”

Danielle glanced at Eve and her brothers, who sat at the same end of the table. Their facial expressions were rather calm. The Werewolf Alliance’s decision wasn’t a surprise to them. Everybody had been expecting this. With the finality of Jude’s words sinking in, all three looked resigned. They knew that Jude was here to stay as their alpha, and they had to make the best of their situation.

She noticed a small change in Eve’s expression as she nodded and addressed Jude, “Thank you for letting us know.”

No visible emotion accompanied her words. But when Jude sat back down and the conversation resumed around the table, she placed her hand on Jude’s forearm.

A visceral sensation traveled through Danielle’s veins.

Mine, her inner wolf wanted to scream. Don’t touch him, he’s mine.

But her civilized side kept the wolf chained. For how long, she didn’t know.

33

Barefoot, Jude stood near the door of his bedroom, listening for sounds from the hallway. After the dinner had finally ended, he shared a quick drink with several of his men before excusing himself, claiming he was tired. The truth was, he wanted to take a quick shower before Danielle joined him in his bedroom.

He was done with his shower half an hour ago, but Danielle had still not shown up. What was keeping her? He’d overheard that Priscilla was on duty to clear the dishes and tidy up the kitchen, with her brother helping her, since Danielle had done the cooking. And she’d cooked a fine meal. However, cooking shouldn’t be her job. As his mate, she was supposed to rule over the household, not do menial work.

After what seemed like an eternity, he heard the creaking of floorboards outside his bedroom. A moment later, the doorknob turned, and the door was pushed open quietly. Danielle, dressed in a long white bathrobe, appeared in the doorway.

She’d barely stepped inside and closed the door behind her when he pressed her against the wall, kissing her with a hunger that only she could satisfy.

When she kissed him back with the same fervor, her hands now roaming his naked upper body, he felt relief wash over him. Breathing hard, he released her lips, but kept her sandwiched between the wall and his body, the contact sending blood rushing to his cock, filling it within seconds.

“I was about to come looking for you,” he confessed. “Don’t tell me Flora made you work after dinner.”

“No, but I had to speak to Priscilla. She was upset.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” He instinctively made a step back, giving her room to breathe.

Danielle took a deep breath, while a frown built on her forehead.

“Flora. That’s what’s wrong. She announced during dinner that Priscilla and I would have to share my old cottage, so that Chase can move in with Heath, and Chase’s cottage can be used for your team.”

“The cottage where the gas explosion happened? But that’s unlivable!”

Which was beside the point: Danielle wouldn’t move anywhere else but his bedroom.

More words poured out of Danielle’s mouth, and it was clear that Priscilla wasn’t the only one who was upset.

“Flora has workers coming tomorrow to fix the cottage. She thinks it will take only a couple of days.”