Leah Rex steers me towards one of the long bench tables in the packhouse dining room and pulls out a chair for me. He presses a kiss to my temple as I sit down before heading over to the delicious-smelling buffet spread along one wall and piling two plates high with food. I grin as he tosses a subtle wink in my direction mid-conversation with one of the older pack members. Lots of back-slapping ensues and when the quiet murmurs spreading through the room turn into cheers and catcalling, it’s clear what that discussion was about. I guess the cat is out of the bag. Rex beams as he returns to my side and slips into the seat beside me. He drapes an arm possessively around my shoulders and tucks me in close to his side. I gaze up at his handsome face and he tips my chin up gently with his finger, leaning in to kiss me. It’s not the quick peck I was expecting. He cups the back of my head and takes control, his tongue tangling with mine and leaving me lightheaded when he eventually releases

Rex I’m already in a terrible mood when I leave Cooper’s office. The fact I can instantly tell my mate has left the packhouse does nothing to cheer me up. Ethan leaving town is throwing a major spanner in the works for our new business. I don’t think he understands how important he is to the pack and what an impact his departure will have. He thinks the pack has lost faith in him, but it’s exactly the opposite, and his absence will unnerve them when the pack needs stability. There’s no way I could say no to stepping in as beta after all that my family and this pack have done for me, over the last year in particular. But two Alpha wolves, working so closely together, especially when one is as unpredictable as mine, is a recipe for disaster. For all our sakes, I hope it’s a temporary arrangement. “I really appreciate it,” Cooper says, standing at my shoulder as I pause on the back deck and suck in a deep breath. I’m trying to calm the wolf within me, who is getting angrier by the seco

Rex “What?” I snarl, my voice low and menacing, as I yank open the door to our apartment and stare down Cooper, who apparently can’t take a hint. “You’re blocking me,” he states, equally annoyed with me. “You’re supposed to be my beta now. That means you can’t shut me out.” “I’m busy,” I snap as I adjust the tented towel around my waist and look pointedly down at where rivulets of water run down my legs, creating a little puddle on the wooden hall floor. I hear a sharp intake of breath from one of the she-wolves on the opposite side of the landing and some giggles, but I ignore them. My focus remains on my irritating brother, who is disturbing sexy shower time with my mate. “I can see that. And hear that. Everyone in the packhouse can. But you’ve been ‘busy’ for hours now, and Alpha Steel would like to speak with Leah briefly before he leaves.” “You don’t want him near your mate, so you come up here to fetch mine?” I grumble, being completely unreasonable but hitting close to the

Rex POV Leaning against the back wall of the packhouse, I fold my arms and admire my mate. Leah has a group of pregnant women outside on mats doing a yoga class in the fresh air. She laughs and tips her head back, eyes sparkling as she jokes and messes with her new friends. And now, after nearly a year in the pack, they genuinely are her friends. She’s fitted in seamlessly. Unlike me, she has an uncanny ability to get along with everyone. People are drawn to her wherever she goes, just like I was. Sensing my presence, she looks around before finally spotting me and smiling softly at me. My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest when I feel her joy at seeing me. She says something to her small class, who all chat amongst themselves as she gets to her feet before taking off and running toward me. I push off the wall and brace myself as she launches herself into my arms and wraps her arms around my neck. Burying my face in her neck, I grip her under the thighs and hold her