“I doubt that,” I said softly as he winked at me and headed toward the front of the group.
My sister and father made sure I understood my place a long time ago.I was no one’s type.
“All right, everyone!” Dillon shouted. “I’m sure you’re all eager to see the pack lands. If everyone could shift, we’ll get going.”
Sunny shot me a pointed look as they started for the tree line, mind-linking me and telling me to get lost as she peeled off her clothes and shifted into her golden-blonde wolf.
I glanced around, noting the pack warriors that were accompanying the tour.
Harvest Moon was well known for its fighters, so Sunny would be perfectly safe as long as she stayed with the group, and since Alpha Caelan would be joining, I doubted she’d stray far from his side.
I slipped into the gardens, backtracking toward the pack house as they took off through the trees.
***
“Shade, there you are!” Taffy shouted as she cut her way through the welcome party crowd that evening.
I turned, ducking my head as she approached so I wouldn’t look her directly in the eyes. Doing so would be a sign of disrespect, while I wasn’t sure of her rank, I knew she was much higher in the pack than I was.
“Taffy, are you participating in the choosing ritual too?” I asked as I admired her purple sundress.
“Definitely not,” Taffy laughed. “Being with Caelan would be like dating my brother. Plus, I’m already spoken for.” She moved her hair, pointing at the crescent-shaped bite mark where her collarbone met her neck.
“Oh, I see.”
“Come on! I want you to meet him.” She pulled me toward a sharply dressed male with dirty-blond hair. I recognized him immediately.
“Dillon! This is her! The girl I was telling you about,” she said as we neared. “Shade, I want you to meet my mate, Beta Dillon. Dillon, this is my new friend, Shade.”
BETA Dillon?! That makes Taffy the beta female. Oh Goddess.I quickly unhooked my arm from hers and dropped my gaze to the floor, baring my neck in submission.
“It’s nice to see you again, Shade,” Dillon offered, trying to ease the tension. “I was disappointed you didn’t join us for the tour.”
“My apologies, Beta Dillon. I wasn’t feeling up to it.”
“There’s no need for any of that,” Taffy tsked as she encouraged me to raise my head. “We’re not that formal here.”
Despite her insistence, I kept my line of sight carefully trained on the floor.
“All participating she-wolves please assemble for the scenting,” a loud voice called out.
“Shade, you should join the others. You’re an eligible female after all,” Dillon suggested.
I nodded, hurrying off toward the end of the line. I passed Sunny, who shot me a warning glare before turning her attention back toward the drop-dead gorgeous man at the front.
What on Earth am I doing? I need to get out of here.
I started to turn when Taffy and Dillon came up behind me, both smiling encouragingly as the line moved a step forward. My pulse quickened, dread settling in my chest as I neared the handsome male wolf.
Oh Goddess. This is bad.
I watched carefully as each female offered their hand to the alpha. Alpha Caelan politely leaned forward and sniffed the underside of their wrist with that perfectly straight nose, testing his compatibility with their scent.
I stared, captivated by his perfect lips and sun-kissed skin. My heart hammered in my chest as I took another step forward, seriously thinking I might faint before I reached him.
I’d never seen a more breathtaking man in my life. Sharply chiseled features and sparkling hazel eyes made my breath catch as he bowed to each female before turning to the next. The smart navy suit he wore fit him perfectly, hugging his muscular form and highlighting every contour.
My hands shook as the girl in front of me stepped up to him.This is pointless. A wolf like that would never want anything to do with a female like me.
