Chapter Twenty
Connor cornered Janet near the equipment shed three days after his conversation with Sam. “What’s going on?”
She shifted her weight, avoiding his eyes. “Nothing.”
“Don’t bullshit me. Half the pack’s been giving me weird looks all week, and you just cancelled our training session for the third time.” Connor crossed his arms. “Talk to me.”
Janet’s jaw tightened. “It’s just gossip. Stupid rumors.”
“About?”
“About you and Leyden.” She finally met his gaze, expression apologetic. “About the mating bond.”
Connor’s stomach dropped. “Still? I thought all that was sorted. What kind of rumors?”
“Lonnie’s been running his mouth again.” Janet grimaced. “Says you’re holding Leyden back from being a proper alpha. That the pack would be stronger with a normal alpha mate who could…” She cut herself off, flushing.
“Who could what?” Connor’s voice came out flat.
“Who could give Leyden what he needs.” Janet looked miserable. “I don’t believe it, Connor. Neither do most of us. But Lonnie’s persistent, and he’s got some people wondering if maybe…”
“If maybe I’m not good enough.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” Connor’s chest constricted. “Who’s listening to him?”
Janet rattled off names - mostly younger wolves, a few older ones Connor hadn’t connected with yet. Not a majority, but enough to matter. Enough to plant seeds of doubt.
“Some are saying Leyden’s too loyal to see what’s obvious.” Janet’s voice dropped. “That you’re a liability he’s too honorable to acknowledge.”
Connor’s wolf snarled internally, but he kept his expression neutral. “Thanks for telling me.”
“Connor…”
“I need to go.”
He walked away before she could finish, heading toward the woods. His mind raced, old familiar thoughts clawing their way back to the surface. Broken. Defective. Wrong.
If pack members were listening to him, then maybe Lonnie had a point. How useful was Connor to Leyden if his mate had to keep fighting for him all the time?
Connor found himself at the boundary line, staring across into neutral territory. He could leave. It would be chronically hard on his wolf and Leyden’s. Connor knew he wouldn’t last a month without his mate, now they’d exchanged bites.
Leyden’s strong, though. He’d survive and when he’s gotten over the bond break he could find someone better…someone normal.
Connor’s wolf rumbled angrily inside his head. He wasn’t impressed with the way Connor’s thoughts were going.
“You’re catastrophizing again.”
Connor didn’t turn at the sound of Leyden’s voice behind him. “How’d you find me?”
“Our bond. You’re broadcasting distress like a beacon.” Leyden stepped beside him, close enough their shoulders brushed. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Connor.” Leyden’s hand found his. “I can feel you shutting down. Talk to me.”
Connor pulled away, creating distance. “I’m thinking maybe Lonnie’s right. It seems plenty of other pack members think so.”
Leyden went very still. “Right about what?”
“That I’m holding you back and that maybe the pack deserves an alpha mate who can actually fulfill the role in every way.” The words tasted bitter. “A mate you don’t have to constantly defend simply because that person doesn’t smell right.”
“Are you fucking serious right now?”
“It’s what I heard. It’s what the pack is thinking.
How you’ve sacrificed everything for me.
” Connor forced himself to meet Leyden’s eyes.
“Do I need to list it all out again? About how you lost your sex life, your pack’s respect, your father’s approval…
all because I’m too broken to be a proper mate. ”
“Don’t.” Leyden’s voice dropped to a growl. “We agreed you wouldn’t use that word to describe yourself again. Don’t do that. Not after all we’ve been through.”
“What else am I?” Connor’s control cracked. “I can’t give you what every other wolf takes for granted. Can’t even mark you properly with scent because we haven’t…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Connor, listen to me…”
“No.” Connor stepped back. “It doesn’t matter what I’ve already done for this pack, it’s not enough. I love you too much to keep dragging you down. You deserve better than a mate who makes your own pack question your judgment.”
Leyden’s eyes flashed gold. “When did this happen? Who said that to you?”
Connor shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”
“It absolutely matters.” Leyden moved closer, intensity radiating off him. “Someone undermined you, and I want to know who.”
“It’s not one person. It’s…” Connor’s throat tightened. He couldn’t lie to his mate. “Lonnie’s been spreading rumors. About how I’m inadequate, how you’d be stronger with a different mate. Other pack members are agreeing with him, so he’s not wrong.”
“He’s completely wrong.” Leyden grabbed Connor’s shoulders. “You’re exactly the mate I need.”
“I’m the mate who can’t even have sex with you.”
“Fuck! How many times do I need to tell you this before you’ll believe me?
You’re the mate who fills the loneliness I carried my entire life.
The mate who makes me laugh, challenges my decisions when I’m wrong, runs this pack’s security better than anyone could.
The mate who sat with that terrified kid for an hour and gave him hope.
Did you forget about Sam already?” Leyden’s grip tightened. “Sex is nothing compared to that.”
Connor wanted to believe him, but doubt festered. “A lot of your pack doesn’t see it that way.”
“This is our pack and maybe that same damn pack needs a reminder about who makes the decisions around here.” Leyden released Connor, pulling out his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling a pack meeting.”
“No.” Connor grabbed for the phone. “Leyden, don’t…”
“Mandatory gathering in thirty minutes.” Leyden typed rapidly. “This ends now.”
“You can’t force them to accept me.”
“Watch me.” Leyden hit send, then pocketed his phone. “I thought I made it clear. I won’t tolerate anyone questioning your position or spreading poison about our bond.”
“Making a scene will only prove Lonnie’s point…that I’m a distraction you’re too blind to see.”
“Making a scene will prove you’re my mate and alpha mate, and anyone who can’t respect that can find another pack.” Leyden’s jaw set in that stubborn line Connor had learned to recognize. “I defended you against eight now-banished enforcers. You think I won’t defend you against gossip?”
“This is different. Those enforcers attacked you physically. This is…” Connor struggled for words. “This is legitimate concern about whether I’m fit for the role.”
“Bullshit.” Leyden cupped Connor’s face, forcing eye contact. “This is bigotry dressed up as concern. And I won’t let it stand.”
Through their bond, Connor felt Leyden’s fury - white-hot and protective, directed entirely at whoever had hurt Connor. No doubt, no hesitation, just absolute certainty in Connor’s worth.
“You’re going to make enemies,” Connor warned.
“Let them be enemies. You’re my mate. End of discussion.”
“Leyden…”
“Nope. Not listening.” Connor didn’t have time to react when Leyden kissed him hard – brief but claiming. “I chose you. I claimed you. And I’ll keep choosing you every single day for the rest of our lives, no matter who objects.”
Connor let out a long breath. “I’m terrified you’ll regret this.”
“Never.” Leyden rested his forehead against Connor’s. “The only thing I’d regret is losing you because I didn’t fight hard enough.”
“You shouldn’t have to fight your own pack.”
“Then they shouldn’t give me reason to. It’s about time they remembered who the alpha and alpha mate of this pack are.” Leyden straightened. “Come on. We have a meeting to attend.”
Connor’s stomach churned. “I don’t know if I can face them, knowing how they feel about me.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just stand beside me looking your best intimidating self and let me handle it.” Leyden’s expression softened. “Trust me?”
Connor nodded, though anxiety clawed at his chest. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to remind everyone exactly who holds authority in this pack. And make it crystal clear that attacking you is the same as attacking me.” Leyden’s eyes flashed gold again. “Starting with Lonnie.”
“He’s just young and stupid.”
“He’s a troublemaker who’s undermined you far too many times already.” Leyden started walking back toward the pack house, Connor falling into step beside him. “That ends today.”
Through the bond, Connor could feel his mate meant every word. No compromise, no negotiation.
“You’re really angry,” Connor observed.
“Furious.” Leyden’s hand found his again, gripping tight. “You’re mine, Connor. My mate, my partner, my equal. Anyone who tries to diminish you answers to me.”
Connor’s throat tightened with emotion. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Which is why I’m about to scare the hell out of our pack.” Leyden squeezed his hand. “Fair warning - I’m not going to be diplomatic about this.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Depends. How do you feel about public declarations?”
Connor groaned. “You know how I hate being the center of attention.”
“Too bad.” Leyden shot him a fierce smile. “Because I’m about to make you the most important person in this entire pack’s life.”