“The first clause of the second law does say that each Marked must submit to the Test of Proximity.”
A gurgling gasp came from Garron, and the Alpha turned to her with a wide, toothy smile.“Continue Miss Wickham.”
“The law governing the Test of Proximity indicates it is the Marked who initiates and concludes the test.An Alpha pair may request the test, but, outside arranged Gatherings, no Marked isrequiredto submit.”She glanced back at her sisters.“I didn’t agree to anything, did you?”Both Gabby and Whitney shook their heads, wide smiles in place.“So, my sisters didn’t agree to the Test of Proximity.I didn’t agree to the Test of Proximity, and I know for damned sure this is time set aside for registration.Thus, no required submission.”
She tilted her head to the side.“In fact, I do happen to recall that direct violation of Gathering laws in relation to the Marked, and their treatment, results in immediate expulsion.The laws are in place forourprotection, not so you can come in and be a dictator.We are balance.We are your cherished.We sure as hell aren’t here to get barked at and sniffed.”
Garron’s reddening face paled, and the other wolf, Quentin, growled low.Apparently the other half of Garron’s pair didn’t care for what he heard.Well, she didn’t like being around assholes, so they were even.
The stocky man tensed, hands flexing and then they became claws.A rolling growl overrode Quentin’s, and the wolf quickly quieted.
“Thank you, Madden.”The lean Alpha’s voice was calm, smooth and not hinting at the tiniest bit of stress from holding Garron still.“Miss Wickham is correct.She asked you to move.Twice.You made demands of her and her…” He glanced at her, eyebrow raised in a silent question.
“Sisters.”
“You made demands of the Sisters Wickham.”The unknown Alpha pushed Garron away and, for the first time, Scarlet noticed the guards surrounding them.“Have this Alpha pair escorted from the grounds.”
Way to make an entrance.
Snarls and growls filled the air as the two asshole Alphas were drawn from the area, the guards doing their jobs as ordered.Which left Scarlet and her sisters with a thinning crowd and two massive, fuck-me-now Alphas.
“Um, thank you?”
The leaner of the two smiled, a slight quirk of his lips.“I’m sorry it was necessary.Unmated Alphas can come on a little strong and push the laws a little, but those two are too aggressive to remain.Apologies.”He bowed ever so slightly, bringing him nearer, and it took everything in her not to reach out and run her fingers through those slight curls.“I’m Alpha Keller Aaron, and this is my partner Alpha Madden Harris.”
Gabriella gasped, but Scarlet ignored her sister.She was too interested in the gorgeous men before her.
Keller continued.“We welcome you to the Gathering.If there’s any assistance we can provide, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Keller glanced at Madden, and their gazes remained locked as if they fought in a silent battle.Finally, Alpha Keller’s attention returned to her.“At this time, if you are amenable, we would like engage in a Test of Proximity.”
Scarlet blinked.Then blinked again before turning her head to look at Gabby.“Do you want to go with them?”
Her sister’s expression went from a mixture of wide-eyed fear and surprise to completely blank and devoid of emotion.She’d have to ask Gabby about that later.“They don’t want me, hon.”
“Whitney?”
That sister raised her brows.“Dude, I don’t evenhavea Mark.”
She stood there, stunned.Okay, her Mark was doing a happy little pulsy thing and the tinglesweretraveling on to her pleasurable pink bits, but… Her?
Scarlet turned her attention to Keller and Madden.“Me?”
Keller winked and Madden…smiled?Sort of a mix between a grimace and a smile.A smilace?She saw the vulnerability in his eyes, the wariness and unwillingness to let her in.In one sweeping glance, she caught it all.This was the big, bad pack protector who probably didn’t let anyone in.Keller would be the politician.Granted, the man could probably tear off a wolf’s head without hesitation, but Madden would be the one knocking heads around first and asking questions never.
At least Garron and Quentin were able to walk away.
“Yes, Miss Wickham, you.”
She looked to Madden for confirmation.His nod didn’t do anything for the butterflies in her stomach.“Um, okay.I don’t know how… Do I… Like, lean forward and you can sniff me or…”
Scarlet waved her hands, gesturing between them.She so wasn’t knowledgeable about wolf-land specifics.Sure, she’d absorbed the laws Gabby had spouted, but she hadn’t bothered with the rest.Hell, she didn’t even know who the Ruling Alphaswere,hadn’t seen a picture or learned their names.She just knew that they were their starting point in Operation: Help Whitney.
Once again, like when she was a child, she should have paid more attention.
“Why don’t we meet in the hotel’s restaurant for dinner?We can talk and…see how things go from there.”Keller’s words were soft and soothing while a sexual, predatory gleam lingered in Madden’s eyes.She imagined him unleashing his pent-up need.On her.
She shivered, a brush of arousal traveling down her spine.Okay.Yeah.Dinner.She licked her lips.“That sounds good.Seven?”
