The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,25
glasses off, wiping them on his shirt. "I'm not questioning you, Alpha Matthias. Do you think having a group of strange alphas here with everything else already going on is wise? I understand you're friends with them, but surely you can see why I might have cause to be concerned."
I nodded to acknowledge his fears. "I get it, Fredo. But you can trust me when I promise these alphas are different. If anything, seeing us together might break a few stereotypes about whether or not alphas can peacefully coexist. In all our years, none of us ever felt the need to be in charge of our MC. We voted democratically on anything important. Equal voices all around, believe it or not."
He put his glasses back on, thankfully a little less nervous. "If you say so, then I will take your word for it."
"Thank you. I appreciate your trust. And by the way? I'm not one to stand on formality. This Alpha Matthias shit has to go. Unless we're doing something requiring titles, I'd prefer it if you all called me Matt. That being said, let me explain why I'm calling my buddies in. With all of our deltas and able-bodied men taken to Newberry Springs, we're sitting ducks for Monty or any other Alpha to show up and try to take over. I'm not looking for all-out war, but I will not allow members of this pack to be enslaved."
Since they all seemed shocked, I nodded confidently. "Elisha shared some interesting information about an illegal mining operation Monty is running right under the government's noses. Make no mistake, he didn't take our men to beef up his security. He wanted fresh backs he could put to work. I'm not sure if you're aware, although I would hope you are, but the moment you swore your allegiance to me, Monty would've felt the loss. And since I plan to claim the rest of the pack present today, he will know for sure another Alpha has come to Lucerne Valley."
Jared held his hands up with a rueful grin. "I knew, yes. I suppose I was hoping you would be able to handle it if he shows up."
When I playfully flipped Jared off, everyone laughed. "Way to throw me under the bus, buddy. Seriously, though, I don't expect him to show up here. He's the type to gather his information before he strikes. And since he knows I don't have any delta fighters, he won't be worried when I extend an official challenge. Nobody would ever expect me to show up with a pack of alphas as backup. Hence why I need my buddies’ assistance. With them, I feel confident I can handle a challenge with the dirtiest fighter. Afterwards, you have my word—fixing our town will be my next priority. Any questions?"
"One from me." Jared pulled out his phone and started tapping. "Do you want to greet the pack in the ballroom or out on the lawn? You heard Elisha earlier—we have eighty-two people, counting yourself. Subtracting the six of us and Elisha leaves seventy-five pack members for you to meet, if not claim."
I started asking why I wouldn't be claiming everyone, until I remembered the children. Thank fuck kids under eighteen were automatically linked to their Alpha through their parents. I wouldn’t have to bite any babies. "I haven’t checked the weather. My answer depends on whether it's under or over ninety today."
Eyes crinkling with laughter, Jared glanced up. "It's exactly ninety degrees in the shade. Ballroom?"
"You even have to ask? Also, let's lose the whole ballroom thing. We aren't a fancy pack. Call it the party room or something, but let's not pretend we're bougey enough up in here for a damned ballroom."
The meeting ended, and we went our separate ways while I called Tucker. By the time I got off the phone with his nosy ass, I had their word: the West Coast Wolves would be here tomorrow morning. They would've come sooner, but they’d headed upstate this morning and would have to circle back. Tucker tried to give me shit about making them waste fuel, but I didn't buy it. They should've known I would be calling. The way I saw it, it was on them for not thinking ahead and already camping out somewhere nearby.
Jared had everyone in the ballroom when I arrived with Elisha at my side. Oh, yeah… meeting up with my mate for an update and a few kisses had been a necessity beforehand.