Chapter Four

Loyalty: 

“Asher would it be possible to have the rest of the pack gather in a group and pledge their loyalty.” Nora asked, hoping she wasn't offending some tradition.

Asher was searching for the words to say, he was worried that she would not be able to get a good judge of the pack members. Nora studied his face. She watched different emotions flash across worried, unsure, and then as if he was trying to think of a plan.

‘Asher if it's some type of tradition I understand but it's taking a lot out of me right now. I’m still recovering.” Nora said, taking a bite out of her turkey sandwich.

“She really does need to get back and rest.” Matt chimed in.

“No Alpha it's not that it's a tradition. I don't know where everyone's loyalty lies. I was hoping if you met them one on one you might be able to judge them.” Asher explained.

“I have a plan for that.” Nora smiled at them both popping a chip into her mouth.

“Well do tell.” Matt said with a mouth full.

Nora patted him under the chin telling him to not talk with food in his mouth before looking back to Asher. She made a face before continuing.

“So that last person. Roger. When he pledged their loyalty to me his eyes glowed red. They didn't glow amber; Kips' color was red. So I have a theory that the ones that aren't really loyal to me will glow red and the rest will be amber. Then we just handle the ones with red eyes.” Nora said with a smile.

“That is interesting. I wonder how he pledged himself but managed to keep loyalty to Kip, even though he is dead.” Asher said out loud.

“The plan sounds like it will work though. Where are we putting them? Jail? Dungeon? Natsy lab slash hospital?” Matt said, wiggling his eyebrows at Nora.

“I’m not sure about that part yet.” Nora said, throwing people in jail just because they were loyal to someone seemed wrong to her.

“We also need you to appoint Delta and Gamma.” Asher said quietly.

“Asher, who do you trust here?” Nora said, taking a sip of sweet tea.

Asher thought to himself quietly. Matt watched him like he was watching a tv show, popping chips in his mouth. He began to chew louder and open his mouth more waiting for Asher to make up his mind. He was doing it in part to be annoying. Nora narrowed her eyes at him and wacked him in the arm.

“Hey.” Matt said, holding his arm like Nora had broken it.

“Oh stop! And chew right.” Nora said, rolling her eyes at him.

She felt him before he was even in the room. Her body began to tingle like it knew before her mind did. His scent floated through the air, his scent alone gave her chills. She instantly wanted to curl into him. Zara inside of her began to freak out excitedly. 

Cole. She purred, smelling him. 

I know. Nora chuckled back to her. She was just as excited.

She contained herself pretending to not be jumping out of her seat to see him. He walked into the kitchen and she felt herself melt. He was always breathtaking. His broad shoulders that she just wanted to cling to. She imagined how it felt to run her hand down his muscular back. Images of them together fluttered through her mind, her cheeks flushing at the sight of him. His charming smirk rolled across his face as his eyes caught hers. She knew immediately that he knew what she was thinking of. He crossed the room to her like nothing else was going on, nothing else mattered. 

His anger at Lance melted away seeing her. Cole was begging to shred him to pieces, especially the way he kept looking at Nora. She was his. Thinking of Lance looking at her made his wolf and him possessive. Without thinking He went to her, lifting her out of her chair and pulling her against him. She let out a small squeak as she crashed into his chest. The noise she let out was quickly covered by his mouth. He pulled her into a passionate kiss.  It was possessive and demanding. He showed her how much he wanted and needed her with just his lips. A small whimper escaped her lips as her body craved him. 

Matt cleared his throat pretending to choke on his sandwich, breaking the moment. Jace pulled back from the intense kiss and gave Matt a look. Matt put his hands up as if to say no offense and pointed to the sandwich.

“What has my little hunter, I'm sorry Alpha accomplished today?” Jace smirked.

“That’s right Alpha and you need to remember that.” Nora said, poking his chest teasing.

Jace pulled her against his chest once more burying his face in her neck. He placed small kisses across it and reaching the spot he marked her, he flicked his tongue over it. An intense chill went through. It was the simplest touch but she felt her knees buckle. She grabbed onto his shoulder to balance herself and choked back a moan. He chuckled and then leaned towards her ear.

“I will show you later whose Alpha and I will make sure you always remember it.” Jace whispered.

“So Alpha.” Asher started to say.

“Yes-” Jace started to answer but realized they were not talking to him

“Yes.” Nora asked, looking at Jace with a smirk.

“Did you want to me to just gather the rest of the pack and we can proceed with a group pledge?” Asher asked.

“Group pledge? How have you been doing it?” Jace asked.

‘One at a freaking time.” Matt said dramatically laying across the table, like he was going to pass out from exhaustion.

“One at a time.” Jace said almost as dramatic as Matt.

“Hush you two.” Nora said, waving her hand at them.

“You’ve been meeting an entire pack one at a time.” Jace said, baffled. 

“ Well Asher wanted me to test each pack member by meeting them and seeing if I could sense if they were loyal or not,” Nora explained.

“Love, that's not how you're going to find out if they are loyal to you or not. You have to work with them side by side. It takes time, not one meeting.” Jace explained.

“Well lucky for you, I already figured out a way to weed out certain ones.” Nora said, throwing him a wink.

“What am I missing?” Jace asked but looked at Matt.\

“We think someone of the ones that are still loyal to Kip when they're wolf comes forward their eyes will glow red, in stead amber.” Matt explained.

“And why do you think this?” He asked Nora.

“Because it's already happened.” She said sticking her tongue out at him.

A playful smile spread across his lip, his eyes glowed slightly as he stepped forward to her, daring her to continue. She stepped into him with a smirk on her lips, she let Zara come forward letting him know she will do what she wants. He growled slightly, his hands going to her hips. She let out a small growl as he picked her up.

“She's not meeting anyone, I'm taking her.” Jace said as he started to toss her over his shoulder.

“Jace!” Nora laughed, yelling at  him.

“Nope you’ve tempted me too much.” He said turning and heading towards the kitchen exit.

“Are they always like this?” Asher asked Matt.

“Maybe? Alpha….um Alphas can yall do that a little later ? We need to wrap things up here. I too would like to go home and toss a certain someone over my shoulder but we gotta do this.” Matt called to them.

“See even Matt…..Matt is being more grown up then you right now.” Nora laughed squirming in his grip.

“Matt dont know any better.” Jace grumbled, turning around and bringing her back to the kitchen table.

“Matt how are you and Lilly by the way?” Nora asked excitedly.

“Ahh she hates me but she loves me.” Matt smirked.

“I understand the whole hunter wolf thing.” Nora said, throwing a wink at Jace.

“I’m not worried about it. Few can resist my charm.” Matt smirked. 

“Don’t you wink at me. You guys have her for another two hours.” Jace said to Nora first and then Asher.

“Excuse you! I am not some piece of property! You don't get to delegate my time.I will be home when I'm home.” Nora said, her eyes glowing as she looked at Jace.

Jace pulled her into him and nuzzled his face into her neck. “You got two hours or I promise I am coming to get you.” He said his voice was full of intent. 

Nora shivered and moved away from him. She didn’t trust herself to remain so close to him right now. She would love for him to take her home and do the things his voice promised. However she needed to set up things here. That would have to wait. 

“Asher, I think I'm ready…Let’s do it outside. I could use some fresh air.” Nora said walking to leave the kitchen. 

“We could all use some fresh air.” Matt said with a smug look on his face.

“Come on Matthew.” Nora laughed at him.

“You know what. I’m going to stay.” Jace announced, following after them.

Asher eyes glossed over as he summoned the rest of the pack to the pack house garden. Nora waited for him to come back to them before heading out. She paused in the doorway.

“Asher after we need to sit down and talk about who you trust here.” Nora said to Asher.

“Jace, is there a way Sarah could get here? I want her opinion as well.” Nora asked Jace.

Jace nodded and his eyes glossed over. 

Sarah, you're Luna requesting your presence at the Red Wood pack. Come right away. Jace summoned her, adding Nora to the link.

Yes, Alpha and Luna. I will be there in twenty minutes. Sarah responded.

“Alpha, we will be meeting in the garden. It's big enough and I would like you to see it.” Asher said with a small smile.

“Lead the way.” Nora smiled at him.

Jace came up behind her and wrapped his hand around hers . She smiled up at him, her fingers weaving into his as she began walking. She leaned against him walking.