Charlie and I are waiting in my office eight minutes later.  We had told Brandon that Devin had a couple of questions and requests about his Gamma ceremony and we had to catch up with my father and his to prepare for the Blue Crescent pack. “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Brandon asked.  He seems like he doesn’t want to leave us, and honestly, I don’t want to leave him.  But Devin was clear that Brandon couldn’t be there. “Nah, man.  We need your help with training the warriors while we push the paperwork,” I say, pulling him in for a quick kiss. “Do me a favor, though?” Charlie asks. “Anything, beautiful.  What can I do?” He turns to her, running a hand down her cheek. “Work up a

I’m half awake, my eyes still closed, when I smell the most wonderful aroma ever.  It is a heady mix of oak, nutmeg, and leather.  I open my eyes and immediately see Xander sleeping beside me. “Mate,” I growl out and my wolf howls within me.  I know that I knew about Xander being my mate before now, but this sudden sensation, this sudden sense of completeness, of being whole, is entirely new.  Is this how he’s felt ever since we met days ago? I growl again, nuzzling my nose into his neck, my chest coming in contact with his bare back.  Suddenly, sparks dance along all the surfaces that our skin touches and my dick immediately hardens. “Mmmm.  Why are you up so early, Babe?  We can still sleep some more,” Xander says, voice muffled in the pillow.

This is torture.  Pure, agonizing, prolonged, and exquisite tortue.  Xander and I are seated next to each other at the high table, in the place of honor on the left of the Alpha.  The meal before us is sumptuous and unending.  We are offered the choicest selections, after the alpha and luna, by gracious omegas.  Both men and women shoot us seductive and flirtatious glances and smiles as they place plate upon plate in front of us.  They know that Xander and I are unmated and they are hoping that they will fit the bill or at least be able to warm our beds for a time. Meanwhile, my mate is right beside me.  He speaks amicably with Charlie’s father, whose position he will be taking tonight.  Though Xander was not trained to become a Delta, he is a fierce and skilled warrior.  He will make an excellent Delta.  Charlie’s father will help to train him on the fine

Can’t we just tell them? I plead with Zak via the mindlink.  It would make all of this so much easier.Babe, you know we can’t, he responds.  For one thing, the Goddess said not to.  For another, I won’t risk losing Brandon.  We just got him back in our lives and got him into our bed.  I refuse to jeopardize that.He cuts the link and I make an irritated noise in the back of my throat.  Damit.  I know he’s right, but this shit is a pain in the ass.Most of the others have left, but Zak’s office still contains the current pack leadership, the former leadership, Xan

The second I left Zak’s office, I ran out of the pack house.  I quickly undressed and shifted, racing into the darkness of the night.I’ve been running all night, trying to outrace my feelings of betrayal and loss.  How could they not tell me?  They all knew and hadn’t said a word.  It’s not like Devin and I were in love, we both knew that the other would find their mate soon.  But a heads up would have been nice.  I was happy for him.  He was one of my best friends.Of course, I hadn’t told him about Charlie and Zak asking me into their bed, either.  But that’s beside the point.  I was mad at them.Or was I?  Honestly, I think I just felt left behind and left out.  They had all found their mates.  Yeah, Charlie, Zak, and