46

46

(Tyler’s POV)

I finally got back to the packhouse. I wanted to turn around at least twenty times. I actually did start back to Kate’s house twice but managed to stop myself. I didn’t want to leave her alone with the human. I knew they had a romantic history, which didn’t sit well with my wolf. He had not stopped pacing and whining since we left.

Micah was outside talking with three security teams. He was going over the details for the evening run. With the moon going to be full and us running around the lake, the number of runners was exceeding 500. We decided to have two separate runs so there would be room for everyone. There would be one team assigned to each run, while another team would be assigned to the protection of the packhouse with patrols throughout the town.

Kate was going to be in the packhouse watching over Celia’s twins. My best warriors were going to be stationed at the packhouse. Nothing was going to happen to her or the babies while the run was going on. It would be a good time for Jaxson to attack, so we would be ready for him.

Micah finished with the patrols and walked over to me and chuckled. “How are you holding up, Alpha?”

I cleared my throat. “Is it that noticeable?” Micah muffled another laugh. “I should go back and check on them, make sure nothing happens while they’re at the lake.”

“Don’t worry, Alpha. I have a team watching over them. The couple went to the lake, stayed a while, then headed back to the house,” Micah reported. Then he added, “The guy wasn’t happy when he saw the scar from the bite on her arm.”

“What did she tell him?” I asked, concerned that she might tell him about werewolves.

“Don’t worry, she made up a story. Werewolf wasn’t even mentioned.”

“They're not a couple,” I growled.

Micah chuckled. “Slip of the tongue, Alpha.”

“I’m going back,” I said as I started to walk back to the truck.

Alpha,” Micah stopped me, then continued, “People will start showing up for the run. They’ll be partying and expecting you to be here to greet them. Let me finish up with my work and I’ll go get Celia and the babies, then swing by and pick up Kate. You need to get ready for the run. You’re leading the first group.”

I hated to stay and wanted nothing more than to be with her, but Micah was right I needed to be here and greet everyone. The run was one of the highlights for the pack. The trail we were going to take led up the mountain and down the other side. Once we cleared the mountain paths, we would head toward the lake. The exciting part for most on the run was that we were going around the lake. Many had not been to the western shore and were looking forward to it. It will be a full moon, shining on the lake, and the best view of it would be on the other side.

“All right, I’ll stay. But make sure you have her back here before the first run,” I ordered.

“I’ll be back here in time, Alpha. You have my word,” Micah answered as he gave me a playful salute and grinned. I just shook my head and walked away.

I went into the packhouse and found Betty and her crew cleaning and baking snacks for all the guests who would arrive in just over an hour. The run wasn’t for another three hours, but people liked to show up early and party beforehand. After the run, we would have a huge bonfire, just to relax. I was looking forward to the bonfire where I could cuddle with Kate. Love was in the air and I’d caught the sickness, I chuckled to myself.

Cameron stopped me at the door of the dayroom. He grabbed me by the arm to bring me out of my daydreaming. “Focus, Alpha and I don’t mean on Kate,” he commented quietly.

I was going to say something but stopped short. He was right I needed to focus on the party and the run. I would have plenty of time later, in private, to spend with her. So I just nodded to him.

“The team that’s going to protect the packhouse and the town is going to run the course in about ten minutes to make sure it’s safe. Then we’ll have a patrol spread out across the path. We don’t need any problems from the pack next door or our own pack once we enter Kate’s land,” Cameron explained.

“I remember the last run we had trouble from the young pups,” I interrupted.

Cameron rolled his eyes. “I remember too, and I’ve warned the wild bunch they’ll be punished if they do it again this time.”

“Has the bonfire pile been checked for fireworks?” I asked.

“Checked and guarded since it was built,” he grinned.

I received a mind-link from Micah the security team was heading out to run the course to check it. I thought it would be a great time to get ready, so I excused myself and headed to my room.