Chapter 42 – Jamie
42
JAMIE
S tanding at the registration desk, I shield my eyes from the sun with one hand and stare out across the gathering crowds. As Lynn predicted, most of the new arrivals spent the full moon with their own packs and are trickling into Dean’s territory in a steady stream this morning.
This new batch is all alpha lineages. You can feel their power thrumming in the air. Their parents were pack leaders, and these contestants only missed out on being alpha because of birth order. These are strong wolves who understand what it takes to run a pack, and what it means to be in charge.
And they want it. Badly.
The tension has palpably ratcheted up a notch as these super competitive shifters, many of whom know each other from pack visits or alpha training, size each other up and make it clear they mean business.
Nobody here from this point of the competition onward is here to play games.
You can see the wolves who made it through the preliminary round visibly shrink, doubting their chances now that the big guns have arrived.
Wyatt stood out among the others, bigger and stronger than most of those who came through round one. But now, the playing field is much more even. Many of the new wolves size him up, letting their displeasure at having to fight against a rogue be known, but they don’t fear him like the others.
And they have the good manners and professional decorum to keep their opinions to themselves, in the presence of Blake Steel at least.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!” He gives every wolf a warm smile and a handshake, directing them to our table and encouraging them to find their accommodations, get settled, and take a look around.
At each invitation Blake issues for these strangers to make themselves at home and wander around the territory, Dean bristles. I’m certain that’s why Blake’s doing it.
“Here you go, Naomi. There’s a map in there with your accommodation already marked and a timetable for the next few days. Any questions, you come and find us.” Lynn offers with a friendly smile to the stunning female in front of her.
“Us?” I say to Lynn, eyebrow raised as the rare alpha female smiles gratefully and pulls out the map before tucking the rest away in her backpack.
The eyes of dozens of men watch her every move, but she either isn’t aware or doesn’t care. She swings the bag onto her back and walks away in search of her room, pulling the attention of half those waiting in the queue with her.
“Yes, us. You’re Maggie’s daughter. No matter what happens with Dean, you’re one of us now.”
I blink back the tears that spring to my eyes unbidden from Lynn’s words of easy acceptance. It would mean everything to me to have roots somewhere. Anywhere really, but where my mate is, and my family? It’s too good to be true.
Lynn pats my arm gently before returning her attention to the next wolf in line, who doesn't hear his name being called, still preoccupied with drooling over Naomi.
“Next, please. Hello? Yes, you, come on.”
I can’t help myself, stealing a glance at Dean to see if he’s watching her walk away as well. With her flowing chestnut brown hair and legs that go on for miles, that’s the kind of she-wolf he probably wanted as his mate. Perfectly groomed, not a rough-around-the-edges rogue who’s forgotten what it’s like to be part of a pack.
But when I look at him, it’s not Naomi who his intense stare is fixed on. It’s me.
My chest tightens as our gaze’s lock.
Dean’s jaw tenses, as I swipe at a stray tear rolling down my cheek. He refuses to look away, our eye contact only broken when an exuberant young wolf leaps at him, and Dean’s forced to catch him, or risk being bowled over backward.
“Dean, I need to show you something.” The young boy tugs on his sleeve and gazes up adoringly at the giant alpha cradling him in his arms.
“Freddy, is that any way to greet your alpha?” Dean rumbles, pretending to be annoyed but really loving it as he bundles the tiny pup up in his arms. “I think I might have to teach you a lesson about proper behaviour.”
Intrigued, I watch on as Dean’s planned lesson becomes apparent. He tickles the youngster mercilessly, and Freddy wriggles in his arms, squealing in delight. The laughter attracts everyone’s attention, and the outsiders to the pack seem surprised to see Dean and the pup laughing and playing together.
They’ve yet to realise what I now know to be true. This man is good, through to the very core of his being. So good that he wants nothing to do with me if there’s any chance that I won’t be a positive influence on his pack. Watching him as he grins at Freddy, ensuring he’s steady on his feet before releasing him, makes me ache inside.
I don’t care how long it takes. Being chosen as the fated mate of a man like this is a blessing that I’m not going to let pass me by.
Re-focusing on the task at hand, I smile at the next shifter to step forward, a rangy wolf named Harry leafing through his documents before rolling them up and shoving them into his back pocket. He leans across the table, with a mischievous grin on his face and curls a finger toward me.
I squirm, knowing Dean’s eyes are still on me. Harry gets an indulgent smile, but I don’t budge, not wanting to encourage whatever it is he’s up to. Or anything that might result in him losing that finger.
“If I can’t find my room, do you think you could help me?” His face is innocent, but the twinkle in his eye tells me this is a dangerous wolf who knows how to charm the ladies. He smooths a black curl back from his face and waits, completely unfazed by my apparent lack of interest.
“No, she can’t.” Dean appears at his side, all brooding energy and angry frowns. “Consider it your first test. If you can’t find your own bedroom, you can’t run a fucking pack.”
With a bored sigh, Harry slowly straightens and lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “It was worth a try. I’ll see you around, Jamie,” he drawls, giving me a fake tip of a hat and a smile designed to melt the panties off naive women.
Dean’s hands ball into fists.
“No, you fucking won’t,” he snarls under his breath as Harry ambles off. When the shifter is out of sight, Dean whirls around to face me, eyes narrowed.
“How does he know your name?” he demands, eyes blazing silver.
Lynn helpfully leans over and taps the name badge I’m wearing while giving her alpha a look .
Dean’s eyes lock onto my name spelled out in neat block capitals, but rather than relaxing, he seems more agitated. He grumbles about the need for everyone to know my name and shifts his weight from one foot to the other, arms folded across his broad chest as he stares down anyone who glances over.
“Don’t you have better things to do than guard the registration desk? You’re scaring everyone.” Lynn asks pointedly. “Why don’t you put all that… excess energy to use in the clearing? To make sure the sparring contests don’t get out of hand?”
Dean blinks, only taking his narrowed eyes from the offending badge on my shirt when he shakes his head, Lynn’s words finally sinking in. “What sparring contest? There is no sparring on the timetable today.”
Lynn’s grin is wicked. “Oh, you know, the impromptu one that the wolves who arrived last night thought was a good idea. You know, to get some extra training in before the next round.”
With a weary sigh, Dean sucks in a deep breath and stares at me, hesitant to leave. I try to stay calm. No blushing, no fidgeting, no racing heart. A luna is tough, poised, and doesn’t fall apart in front of the pack.
He opens his mouth to say something, before turning abruptly and storming off with Callum hot on his heels. Only when he’s crested the hills and is out of sight do I relax, his presence and his alluring scent scrambling my brain whenever he’s nearby.
“Oh, this is going to be good.” Lynn laughs. “In that mood, he’s liable to climb into the ring and take them all on himself.”
That doesn’t sound good at all. Although the idea of watching Dean fight doesn’t sound bad either.
“All that adrenaline and aggression. You better find somewhere to hide or you’ll be marked within the hour.”