His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,25

the designated time was wasted.

They’d left their mates home; although they had a good standing with the Huning Prowl, they still weren’t sure about the Blaze Pack. Especially since they weren’t sure if it was going to be a hostile situation. Kenny was still pissed about what they’d learned about them turning away Morgan.

“Are you sure about meeting them?” Clyde asked.

Dezi sighed. “After what Morgan told us, no, but Kenny said we should.”

All eyes were on him, and he knew they wanted an explanation. “I called the beta of the Blaze Pack to let them know the meeting was off. He insisted that we still meet.” Kenny shrugged.

There were a few side eyes, but no one argued with his decision. Kenny was glad Dezi had agreed to it. If a fight broke out and Kenny happened to end up fighting the alpha who had hurt his mate, then so be it.

The first to arrive was Huning Prowl. The Pride had a good relationship with them, as they were also a small, tightknit group. The alpha, Hodge, helped another man out of the car. Hodge appeared to be the same as the last time they had seen him. Except a little happier. Three others, one female and two males, also got out of the car. One Kenny knew to be the beta of Huning Prowl, and the other two were new to him, but not surprising they hadn’t seen their allies in a while.

Hodge and the other man came face to face with Dezi.

“Dezi, I see your taste in T-shirts hasn’t improved,” Hodge remarked with a smirk on his face.

Dezi laughed. “I will have you know my mate gave me this shirt. It happens to be one of my favorites.”

The shirt Dezi was referring to had a T-rex on it with a claw grabber and the phrase “I am Unstoppable.”

“Mate?” Hodge asked. He glanced around at each of us. “And where is this reclusive mate?”

“Home. He isn’t exactly in a position to come out.”

Hodge’s head tilted to the side, and the man standing next to him took a step forward.

“True mates?” the man asked.

Dezi crossed his arms. “Yes.”

Hodge seemed to relax, along with the other man. The others around them did the same.

“Good. Can’t wait to meet him. This is Rudd Davis, my true mate,” Hodge introduced.

Rudd shook Dezi’s hand before taking a step back to stand next to his mate. “I didn’t think there was another set of true mates so close,” Rudd said.

Dezi laughed. “Oh, you would be surprised.” He clapped Hodge on the back. “Congrats on your mating.”

Hodge smiled ear from ear.

“Kenny, it’s always good to see you. If Cinxia wasn’t the best beta, I’d steal you away from Dezi.”

“Ha, you wouldn’t be able to,” Dezi said.

Hodge shrugged, and Kenny stayed out of the alphas’ discussion. “We both have new people, but we are waiting on the Blaze Pack, correct?”

“We gave them a different time. We have ten minutes before they get here,” Dezi said.

Hodge sighed. “Well, introductions are in order.” The other three walked closer. “Our beta, Cinxia, Indigo, and Mavi,” Hodge said.

Dezi stepped forward. “Our beta, Kenny, Rhy, and Clyde.”

They each shook each other’s hands, and Cinxia bumped shoulders with Kenny. She was just as tall as him.

“Are your alphas just as lovey-dovey?”

Kenny fixed her with a look, and Cinxia laughed. “Stiff as always, I see. Now, what should we be prepared for when Teris gets here?” Cinxia asked.

Kenny liked her, joking aside. Just like him, she tended to get right to business. Both alphas looked their way, and Kenny stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention.

“My mate was attacked and near death when he made his way back to me.”

The shocked and appalled looks around confirmed Kenny’s thoughts that their partnership with the Huning Prowl would be a good one.

“It was his old pack. They still run their pack based on the belief that runts are to be killed or become their own personal punching bag.” Kenny had to fight back his anger. His snow leopard wanted nothing more than to tear apart those who dare touched his mate.

“I’m guessing they didn’t let him go, but he ran?” Cinxia asked.

Kenny gave a curt nod. His anger burned at the back of his throat.

“Not only that, but with the child of the alpha,” Dezi said.

“What? Why a child?” Rudd asked.

“It’s his niece, and she is fourteen and hasn’t shifted,” Clyde answered.

Short, blunt nails bit into the palm of Kenny’s hand as he thought about Ava getting hurt.

“And if