A Crown Of Smoke And Ash - Sloane Murphy Page 0,68

in as we speak."

Roman nods to him, and takes my hand again, standing stoically, waiting for his packs.

"Shadow Pack, they are going to be the most outspoken about you," he warns, his voice tight.

"Let them talk," I tell him. "You and I know the truth of who I am, they just need to see. Once they do, they will quieten down. They will have no choice."

"If they challenge you..."

"If they challenge me, I'll show them why it is I am worthy of being the mate of the Alpha of Alphas. I’m not some show pony, I am a warrior. I always have been. If I need to show them that, then I will." He smiles at my words as the rumble of engines approaches again. "At least they're on time."

He hums his agreement as the new envoy stops before us. From the dark green truck at the beginning, a man and woman climb down, approaching us in the same way Thorn did. Kneeling, with their fists at their chests.

"Welcome Anita, Alpha of Dark Moon Pack. Welcome Echo, Alpha of the Shadow Pack." Roman’s voice rumbles through the air, the edge of power in it making the hair on my arms rise. They stay kneeling until the power pulls back, then rise.

"It is good to see you again, Roman," Anita purrs, and I clench my fist. Jealousy is an ugly emotion, and if she wants to get a rise from me, she won't get it this way.

"Anita." Roman’s tone holds no warmth, he does not like games. "Glad you traveled well."

"We made good time, especially once we met with Echo on the road.”

"Alpha," Echo says, looking at our joined hands with disdain.

"Echo, I am glad you and your pack are here."

"We were called, and so we answered. They are intrigued to meet the Hunter you deemed worthy of calling mate. How a traitor can be trusted in such a position, is to be judged."

Roman snarls, but I put a hand on his chest.

"A traitor, for not slaughtering those who do not deserve it. I see that your education needs some updating. Maybe I can lend you a dictionary so that when we meet again, you do not show such poor judgement in your choice of words," I interject.

A bark of laugh escapes Anita, while Echo practically shakes with fury.

"Oh, I like her," Anita purrs giving me a wicked smile. "You and I will have some fun, Hunter. Let's go Echo, before you say something you'll regret."

He glares at me, and Roman growls, so he turns and heads back to the truck. "I'll keep him in line as best I can," Anita offers and I return her smile. Maybe she's not so bad after all.

Their envoys head to the right of the house, Shadow Pack’s lands being the furthest from here, either by choice or designation, I don't care. I'm just glad they are not close by. "When are the rest due?"

"Theron says that the Ebony Pack will arrive tonight before dinner, as will the Wind Winder Pack. The rest will arrive throughout the day tomorrow. So for now, we can go back inside and rest."

"Orrrrr we could go and say hello to the packs, rather than just the Alphas. It would be nice to get a chance to talk to people that aren't Alphas." I smile up at him, and laughter dances in his eyes.

“Yes, I suppose we could do that."

"Come then, let’s go find Thorn and his people. The kids will lose their minds when they meet you," I tease, and he huffs lightly but follows when I pull him to come with me.

After spending a few hours helping each of the packs settle in, I find myself back on the porch, with Roman pacing. I send off a quick message to the guys back home to let them know everything is going as planned for the most part, before pocketing my cell as Tobias runs towards us.

"They're here. Both of them. But Ebony are not happy, and they are not being quiet about it."

"Let them come," Roman orders, and Tobias speaks into the walkie talkie, I'm guessing to Nathan, from his words earlier.

Only minutes later, the rumble of engines approaches and Theron appears on the porch to Roman’s right, as Tobias stands to my left. A united front.

The envoy, much smaller than the last two despite there being two packs, comes to a halt in front of the house. Doors open on several of the cars, but only two