She nodded and then tentatively asked, “Maybe you could keep that to yourself?”
"That was very thoughtful, Penelope. Thank you." Dillon dipped his chin. “And if anyone asks, as far as I know, the tray was simply sitting outside my door.”
"Jeremiah did send me,” she admitted. “But not with breakfast. He wants to see you as soon as you’re up. Better eat fast."
"Thank you, Nell."
She fidgeted, looking uncomfortable with the gratitude. “Welcome.” She started to turn slowly as if to walk away but then looked back at him. “So, are you staying?”
"Why do you sound like you’re asking me if I have a contagious disease?"
Her eyes darted to his briefly every few seconds, but she couldn’t hold his stare for long. He hadn’t noticed her doing that last night or even at the beginning of their conversation, which meant he was leaking some of his dominant power and making her wolf, dormant though it may be, cower in front of him. No doubt this was because of his thoughts about how Jeremiah dominated his pack. Dillon had managed to keep it under control with the alpha, and he would absolutely have to lock that crap down from here on out. Dillon attempted to get his emotions under control in an effort to help Penelope relax.
Her lips turned down as she lifted one shoulder. "I don’t mean to sound rude. It's just that Jeremiah doesn't like outsiders. He never has."
"Yeah.” Dillon chuckled dryly. “I got that impression already. I’ve asked for a probation period as a trial member."
Penelope’s eyes widened. "Seriously? Why?” she blurted and then once again seemed to sink in on herself.
“Because sometimes we need a new home,” he answered honestly. “And this one seemed like a good one.” He didn’t add “because my mate lives here.” No matter how badly he wanted to claim her in front of anyone and everyone.
Dillon didn't waste any time eating his breakfast. He quickly changed and threw his dirty clothes into his duffel bag. Before he left the room, he made sure to pull every ounce of his dominance into himself. “Keep your crap together,” he told his wolf. The beast was silent, which he took as a good sign.
As he headed out into the hall and began to follow his nose in the direction he’d come the previous evening, Dillon couldn’t help but think how things could have been different if he’d just stayed with his pack. Under other circumstances, Dillon wouldn't have had a problem walking straight up to Jeremiah and declaring Tanya his. But Dillon had never imagined he'd be meeting his mate after having a years-long affair with a human.
Stupid human, his wolf growled.
Thank you. You’ve already made your position on the matter quite clear, Dillon replied. But I’ve smartened up a bit. I'm not going to do anything that will provoke the alpha … at least not yet.
He took several deep breaths and shook out his hands at his sides. As he walked, he passed several pack members. He nodded politely and made brief eye contact but didn’t stop. Dillon was going to have to play things Jeremiah’s way if he wanted to be able to stay, and by “stay” he meant stay alive. Tanya would come home eventually. When she did, they would hash this out, and he’d make her take him as her mate. Though, he might have to beg, but that was okay. He’d do whatever he had to, dignity be damned. Dillon would latch onto her leg and make her drag him around the pack grounds if that's what it took.
When he reached the door that he recognized from the night before, Dillon pulled his shoulders back and latched onto his inner submissive persona. “We don’t have an inner submissive persona,” his wolf grumbled, sounding highly offended. “Use your imagination,” Dillon growled back.
"Come in," a gravelly voice said after Dillon finally knocked.
He pushed the door open and scanned the room. This time he paid more attention to the details, taking in how spacious it was, with a fireplace on one wall. Exposed wooden beams, polished to a sheen, ran along the ceiling. Dillon had trouble imagining Jeremiah atop a ladder, holding a rag in one hand and a can of polish in another, scrubbing those beams himself. No doubt he had someone do it for him. Two large glass doors led out to a wooden balcony, giving a view of the surrounding woods for miles. The mountains dipped and rose around them in all their glory. Dillon was surprised to see a full bookshelf lining one wall. As much as he couldn’t see Jeremiah dusting, he also couldn’t see the alpha reading. The office smelled of cedar and pine.
Jeremiah sat behind a large desk made of dark wood, with what Dillon thought was a forced smile upon his face.
"Good morning," Jeremiah motioned to one of the two armchairs across from his desk. “I trust you slept well.”
Not at all, considering all I did was worry about your daughter. "I did, Alpha. Let me thank you again for your hospitality. The food and the accommodations are outstanding." Was he laying it on a little thick? Probably. But men like Jeremiah liked their ego stroked.
"No problem at all, Dillon,” Jeremiah made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “I can't have it thought amongst the packs that the Colorado alpha treats guests or potential new members with anything less than care and respect."
"They won't hear that from me." Dillon smiled as he rested his left ankle on top of his right knee. “So far, I’ve got nothing but good things to say.”
Jeremiah leaned back in his chair and steepled his hands in front of himself. His eyes narrowed and seemed to hone in on Dillon like a hawk seeking its prey. “I called up the Montana pack and spoke with your former alpha.”
Dillon tried to keep any surprise or emotions from his face as he nodded. “I would expect nothing less.” Though he’d actually hoped, albeit in vain, that Jeremiah would have waited a bit before he started looking into him. He’d hoped that his honesty would have gone a little further in instilling some faith in him. Apparently, that was a big fat no.
“Let’s just cut to the chase, Dillon.” Jeremiah sounded annoyed. “You’re here for your mate. Where is she? Because, if she was here, you’d have certainly claimed her the minute you stepped through my door.”
Dillon ran his palms down his thighs and nodded. “No disrespect, Jeremiah, but that is a topic that needs to be handled between me and my mate before I discuss it with anyone else. You, especially as a respected alpha with a beloved mate, must understand this.” Dillon waited a moment to see if the alpha would respond. But the man seemed to be waiting to see if Dillon would say more. “When we have figured it all out, then we will need a pack, a home. And I’m hoping that will be here. I still need a fresh start, and I truly hope this can be it.”
There was a tense moment while Dillon waited to see if the alpha would lunge across the desk and rip his throat out. When that didn’t happen, Dillon tried very hard not to let out a sigh of relief. He really didn’t want to have to fight his mate's father. In all honesty, he wanted this to work. Even if he did have to live under Jeremiah's arbitrary rule. He’d do it for Tanya.
"Very well." Jeremiah rubbed his hands together. "I will continue to give you the benefit of the doubt. Though, as I’ve warned you, my wrath is swift once my judgment is made. I do hope that this will all work out, especially with your mate involved. It’s not just you that you have to think of."
