The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,51

them, and while I wouldn't trust them any farther than I can throw them, they aren't as bad as Horace or Monty. At least, not from what I could tell. I'll forward you their numbers now." Because of course my productive beta would have contact information at his fingertips. I would expect nothing less of the man.

I couldn't help but grin when my phone dinged immediately. Taking a deep breath, I picked it up and studied the information before looking back at Jared. "Remind me of something, and please pretend I knew the information in the first place. Once I get alliance agreements, is a verbal contract enough, or do we need anything formal?"

Devon answered before Jared. "Definitely formal, Matt. The Supreme Council requires official alliance agreements be signed, notarized, and submitted to your territory chief. So you don't have people promising the moon and then letting your enemy into the back door. You can thank the Great Pack War in the 1890s. They caused so much shit back east, Chicago flooded, and both New York and Boston had fires. We were lucky the humans never discovered our existence while all that shit was going down."

Jared perked up with interest. "Didn't it all start because the New York alpha promised the New Jersey pack they'd have their back if anything happened with Long Island?" Devon was visibly excited, and the two of them geeked out on history. Tucker and Luci stood and stretched before heading toward the door. With a wry grin, Tucker glanced back over his shoulder. "Want us to drag the nerds out with us? Or can you make your calls with them yapping?"

I didn't need to answer. Jared and Devon rose and followed them out of the room without missing a beat of their conversation. Laughing softly under my breath, I steeled myself before making the first call. I wasn't sure what the reception would be, but Jared was right. If they didn't stand with me, their own packs would be at risk.

Twelve

Elisha

"I can't believe the businesses are already starting to reopen." Matt stared almost hungrily at a sign in the window of the Full Moon Diner. “I wish it was tomorrow. Then we could go in there and get a milkshake.”

Trying not to laugh, I poked his solid stomach. "Like I thought, there's no room after your second slice of pie. And don't get me started on how many finger sandwiches I saw you putting away."

He stared at me impassively for a few seconds before blinking. "Little wolf, are you… food-shaming me? Allow me to remind you—you're the one who suggested our daily afternoon snack time."

"Emphasis on snack, my love. Not a full meal." He looked so injured. When I couldn't feel anything through the bond, I immediately felt bad. "Shoot, Matt! I didn't mean it rudely. I was teasing you. I was originally picturing snack time a little differently than what it's turned out to be, that’s all."

When he started to laugh, I realized he'd been purposely closing off our bond. My mouth dropped open with an indignant huff. "You totally played me. How were you able to block me? It’s a neat trick, so obviously I need to learn it immediately."

He simply laughed harder, bent over right there on the sidewalk, bracing both hands on his thighs while he brayed. Before long, I was snickering with him. Still slightly bent, he stood taller so he could look me in the eye.

"I know I'm going to regret this, but I will absolutely teach you. I wasn't sure if it would work, but I shut myself off from the pack consciousness the same way during the challenge to avoid any distractions. However… I do have one condition. First, you have to tell me how you pictured snack time going because now I think you wanted me to sit at your feet and hand-feed you or something."

Tapping my chin, I hummed slightly as the imagery washed over me. "First, we have to act your idea out sometime because it sounds sexy. But only if I get to do it for you, too. So I had pictured something more romantic. In my mind, I was sitting on your lap while we shared food from the same plate. And kissed. There were lots of kisses."

His eyes darkened as a possessive growl rumbled from his throat. "I like the way you think, little wolf. Something tells me our snack times are going to be changing. No wonder you insist on