“Duh…have you seen the shitholes my pack members live in? How would it look if the Alpha lives in a fucking palace…or at least one big enough to be one.”
“No, no, no! You got it all wrong…your members expect their Alpha to live in a large house for several reasons,” Heath said. “A large, well-maintained Alpha house is viewed as a deterrent to other Alphas who might be itching to take over your pack.” Then seeing Tristan’s confusion, he continued, “Wolf shifters in a pack love…and I mean…reallylovestability and security. They want to believe their Alpha has everything under control so they can go about their daily business of living, whether it’s raising their pups or enjoying their old age, without worrying about anything. That can’t happen if the Alpha appears weak.
“Josiah is…was…the perfect example of a strong Alpha…a shitty one, true. But one of the reasons none of his pack members left was that they knew he was strong. Unfortunately, that same belief in him allowed him toget away with almost everything, including murdering another pack. While his pack members might not like that, they’d view it as just part of the Alpha’s job to keep them safe.”
“That’s a fucked up way of thinking,” Tristan replied. “It basically gives the Alpha carte-blanche to do anything—legal or illegal.”
“True, and as seen with Josiah, it’s easy to do,” Heath said.
“And no one objects.”
“That’s the inherent weakness in every pack. The Alpha reigns supreme, unless he’s challenged. It would boggle your mind to know how many bad Alphas are out there…ones that are drunk with the power of being Alpha, or ones that see the position as a means to line their own pockets. In the case of Josiah, he was both, and the result is a pack that has suffered.
“A good Alpha always puts his members first, and that makes for a strong pack. Housing, food, and health care are critical. But they cost money…money that a lot of Alphas hate to spend. The Silver Point Pack is lucky because you’re nothing like your father. Do you know why Jackson gave you his approval?”
“Because he didn’t have a choice?” Tristan replied, smirking.
“Funny…but Jackson had other choices, and I have no doubt he would have settled for one of them if he had to,” Heath said. “I listened to you at your meeting with Jackson and not once did you ever put yourself first. Your focus was all on getting your members the basic necessities and, even tonight, your reluctance to live in the Alpha house while your pack is suffering proves you’re gonna be a great Alpha…and I’m so fucking proud to be your mate.”
Blushing, Tristan was moved by Heath’s declaration. “Thanks, but the same goes for you. You are perfect for me in every way, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together, Alpha Mate,” he murmured into his mate’s ear. “Let’s go to bed so I can show you how much I love you.”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard today,” Heath replied, giving his mate a mischievous smile. Then grasping Tristan’s hand and pulling him to his feet, he added, “But this time, I’m topping.”
~/~/~/~/~
“What the fuck is taking you so long?” yelled Norm.
“You told me Shining Star had something special planned, didn’t cha?” asked Smokey, standing in front of the bathroom mirror. Looking at one side of his face, then the other, he was satisfied with the results. “I’m almost through.” After slapping on the after-shave cologne he saved for special occasions, he took several steps back and stared at his body in the mirror. He had an idea of what Theo was planning, and his excitement was evident both in his eyes and his semi-hard cock. And while he could do something about one, there was nothing he could do about the other. Smokey’s cock had seemed to be in that perpetual state ever since he’d met his mates. “Not my fucking fault,” he muttered, throwing a bath towel into the hamper.
“Smokey…Theo’s waiting for us…hurry up willya?”
“I’m coming…calm your titties,” Smokey growled, turning off the lights before leaving the bathroom.
Norm’s gaze locked onto his naked mate walking toward him. He knew that even if he lived a thousand years, his reaction to Smokey would be the same—love, desire, and need.
Stopping when he reached Norm, Smokey felt the same feelings that shone in his mate’s eyes. “Eagle Feather,” he whispered before running his finger down Norm’s cheek. “You are fucking beautiful.”
Norm shivered at his mate’s touch, wanting so much more, but his need would have to wait for later. Raising a hand, he grasped Smokey’s arm, stilling its movement. “If you continue touching me, you will have to explain to our mate…our mate who is dealing with a shit ton of pregnancy hormones…why we’re so late.”
“Fuck! Don’t say that shit!”
“Why not?”
“That’s why.” Pointing down at his now-soft cock, Smokey growled, “Look at what you did.”
Norm burst out laughing. “Oh my gods, you’re afraid of our mate.”
“Not Shining Star…just his pregnancy hormones…damn straight, I am. I’ve heard about them and, no siree, I want no part of being the reason that triggers them.”
“Aww…is my big, strong, fuzzy, wuzzy bear afraid of a few hormones?”
Snorting, Smokey walked around Norm, heading for the dresser. “And you aren’t? I call bullshit.” Pulling open a drawer, he searched through it until he spotted a blue, denim shirt. Grabbing it and a pair of jeans, he turned back to his mate and asked, “What’s on the agenda tonight?”
“Can’t tell you,” Norm muttered, staring at the clothes Smokey held before shaking his head. “You can’t wear those tonight.”
“Why not…they’re clean.”
“Because Theo wants you to wear these instead,” Norm replied, pointing to the bed.
