Chapter Eleven
Alaina
E ven though Dax and the pack address me as their queen, I’m still not able to link to the pack without a traditional coronation. Dax called River so she can plan for a coronation immediately upon our return.
After hours of fucking, we lie on the hardwood floor. My hand rests on him, rising and falling with his chest.
“Think they’ll accept me?” I ask.
Dax looks at me as I’m cradled in his arms, confused why I’d even ask such a thing. “You saw them kneel to you, listen to you—they already have. This just makes it easier for you to boss us around,” he jokes, pulling me in close.
I know he’s right, but the reassurance is nice. I’m not used to belonging.
Several moments later, a guard knocks on the door. Dax cracks it, and folded clothes are handed to him.
“Back to reality,” he says.
I could stay with him here forever. Letting him fuck me senseless. But there are things I need to take care of.
He helps me up, handing me the clothes.
As we leave the conference room, two she-wolves from my former pack appear from the room we’re heading to. They’re giggling with some of their clothes bundled in their arms.
Dax and I look at each other, wondering why two half-naked females just emerged from a place where people eat.
“Sam,” we conclude in unison.
We step into the breakroom, and Sam’s chomping down on a sandwich at the island countertop.
“Whoring around again, Sam? Hope you respected those poor girls enough to use protection so they don’t catch anything from you.”
My legs tremble from earlier, and I run into a chair placed at the small table against the wall. I quickly recover but not quick enough. Scooting of the metal chair didn’t help either.
Sam laughs. “And you can’t catch anything in your current state. Walk much, princess?”
Dax fails to hide his grin by walking over to the cupboard, turning his back to me, proud at himself for being the reason I’m struggling to walk.
Bastard.
He grabs a cup, pours himself coffee, leans back against the counter with one hand in his shorts pocket, and takes a sip.
Sam takes another bite of his sandwich, looking from me to Dax, then back to me. “You even sound like a Road Runner when you fuck.”
Dax almost spits out his drink at Sam’s comment.
My jaw drops. He did not just say that.
“Why do you know so much about Road Runners?” Dax asks, chuckling.
“I loved that Road Runner cartoon when I was younger. Went on a deep dive researching them one day.” He shrugs. “Did you know they mate for life?”
“So do coyotes,” I point out, raising my brows.
“What’s your point?” Sam asks.
“It means you’re a shitty coyote, and you might want to consider settling down,” I say.
Dax’s amusement with our banter only encourages us to continue bantering. “You might want to take a shower. I can smell sex as well as your judgy-ness all over you,” Sam says, then takes another bite.
“I could say the same for you,” I say to Mr. Playboy.
Sam, not the least bit embarrassed, shrugs at my subpar comeback.
Has Dax finally done it? Has he fucked the brat out of me? Has he drained me of my witty comebacks?
“I can’t wait until you find your mate. I hope she’s living her best life, getting her fix in now, just as much as you are. Actually, I hope more than you.”
“I’ve been a beta for eight years. Been to several Hunt’s since turning twenty-one seven years ago. I think it’s fair to say my mate is dead. I’m in the clear to fuck like a rabbit for the rest of my life,” Sam says with his mouth full.
Caleb walks in, and his nose scrunches. “Whoa, Moon fucking goddess—it smells like a brothel in here.” He waves his hand in front of his face.
The air becomes heavy with awkwardness when Caleb looks at all of us. Sniffing, his nose indicating each and every one of us are the source. Moments pass before anything is said.
Dax’s eyes narrow, but I don’t feel anger beading off of him as he stares at Caleb.
Caleb is baring his neck in submission to Dax and clears his throat. “Your Majesties. I see congratulations are in order. You both will rule well together.”
My eyes look back and forth between the two dominant males before me, uncertain and nervous with what might happen next.
Dax steps toward Caleb, extending his hand out to him.
Caleb looks at it, bewildered, before he takes Dax’s hand to shake it.
“Thank you for keeping her safe. If you ever need anything... I owe you,” Dax says to him.
Whoa. I could hurl from the shock and relief. That was not at all what I was expecting.
Caleb nods in acknowledgment, but he would never ask Dax—or anyone for that matter—for anything. The day he would is the day his world is crashing down.
“How’s your father?” Dax asks.
* * *
Before Dax, Alpha Jack was the strongest man I knew growing up. Even now, lying in a hospital bed, he scrounges up the strength to nod in acknowledgement upon Dax entering the room. “Your Majesties.”
“Jack,” Dax says back to him.
Alpha Jack’s gaze swings toward me, and the corner of his lips turn upward at the sight of me.
Tears flood my eyes. There is a loss of innocence and safety that comes with seeing your hero in his worst state. I’ve never seen him like this.
“Aw, Alaina. Don’t cry. I’ll be okay,” he says.
It will be, but it didn’t stop the tears from trickling down my face. I wipe them before laying a kiss on Alpha Jack’s cheek.
“I’ll give you two sometime alone.”
With Alpha Jack immobilized, Dax is going to stand in to assist in having Alpha Jack’s warriors protect the pack.
I turn to hold Alpha Jack’s hand, and his strength never falters as he squeezes mine right back.
“You’re going to make a tremendous queen,” Alpha Jack says. “Hell, you already are.”
Sitting in a chair beside him, I say, “I’m proud of you.”
And it was all I needed to feel like I was soaring.
“Thank you.”
“It’s no secret I hoped you’d become a Waller someday, be the mate to my son.”
I smile somberly at his statement. We were all disappointed that day, but it isn’t something I feel now.
He squeezes my hand. “I’ve always thought of you as a daughter. And that will never change, no matter who you’re with.”
“Can you give me away at the coronation?”
“I’d be honored.”
Dax clears his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Sam received a report of a horde near the borders.”
I let go of Alpha Jack’s hand and wipe my tears, sniffling. “I guess I should go.”
“Darling, I’ve got this one. Stay here. Spend some time with him.”
“Are you sure? You just finally healed.”
I didn’t want him going by himself, but I did want more moments with Alpha Jack.
“I insist.”
I thank him through the mindlink, and he winks at me.
“Take my men with you. Caleb is a fantastic tracker. He’d be useful,” Alpha Jack offers.
“Thank you. I will,” Dax says before walking out.
Please have him make it back to me safely.