The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,45
my bones." Ash radiated pride and contentment, making it obvious he supported my decision.
Nick clapped his hands, then rubbed his palms together. "All right. Pick your poison—I mean, your pack." The sense of intrigued relief from the Newberry Springs people was palpable. "And so you know, when we get over to town, I'll be making this same offer to any pack members who aren't present to choose for themselves."
Speeches finished, Nick and I shook hands, and he promised all new and returning Lucerne Valley pack members would arrive by sunset the following day. As I hugged him, I couldn't help but think how weird riding back to pack lands without Nick would feel. Even though I knew this was a good decision all around, change was hard. Especially after we’d ridden together for so long.
Touching his forehead to mine, Nick clasped my neck and settled my frayed nerves. "We all hate change, Matty boy. But you said it yourself: our packs will be allies, and I'll always be a phone call and a ride away. Thank you for the gift you're giving me. This is going to be fun."
I pulled away, laughing and shaking my head. "Only you would walk into the situation Elisha prepared you for and call it fun."
Nick winked. "You forget, citing the law is fun for me. Fun, fun, fun. Maybe if we say it enough times, you'll believe it."
We reluctantly let each other go to greet our new pack members. Remembering Elisha's request, I kept it short and simple. "Thanks for choosing Lucerne Valley. Let's save our official introductions and swearing allegiance to me as your Alpha until we get back over there. It's damned hot out here, and a reception with plenty of ice cold beverages waits for us back at our pack lands."
With that, I escorted Elisha to his car, leaving Monty's body for Ash to dispose of however he saw fit. Squeezing Elisha's hand, I spoke barely loud enough for him to hear. "Let's go home, little wolf."
Ten
Elisha
After Paula’s fabulous luncheon, I really wanted a nap. But since anyone with a brain knew there's no rest for the weary, I got to work instead.
While Matt was biting wrists, greeting pups, and sizing up his deltas, Jared and I got busy assigning homes for the new pack members who had sworn their allegiance. The rest of their families wouldn't be here until tomorrow, but we were determined they would have homes waiting for them.
The unmated deltas were the easiest because we had the upstairs dorms for them, since the rest of the pack would be moving back to their own homes. Matt and I had already agreed incoming members could have a ninety-day settling-in period before they decided whether to rent or buy the pack housing we had to offer.
I was going down the list under my breath, making notes of everything necessary, when someone cleared their throat. Glancing up, I was prepared to answer their question and quickly send them on their way, but I found myself smiling instead at a familiar face.
"Christina! I never thought I'd see you again—when did you get here?" I searched the room for the rest of her family, waving at her mate and their children and gasping with delight when I saw her elderly parents seated with them. Setting my clipboard aside, I hugged my former teacher and allowed myself a few moments of break time.
After rocking me from side to side, Christina held me at arm’s length with a firm grip on both of my hands. "Let me get a look at you, Eli. Gracious, your papa would be so proud of you right now. And hubba hubba, by the way. Congrats on the hot alpha. Does this mean I have to be official now and call you Alpha Mate?" Even though she'd been one of my tutors, Christina was hardly ten years older than me, and we'd been good friends when I was younger.
"God, no." I dramatically shuddered at the very idea. "I have already told everyone here to call me Elisha. I don't need any fancy titles. Or, in your case, Eli." Smiling, I squeezed her hands. "I'm so happy to see you. I was hoping your family would choose to change packs, but I wasn't sure how Tony would feel about it. How are you here so soon? We aren't expecting the Newberry Springs people until tomorrow, except for the deltas who wanted to come swear allegiance today."