Page 106 of Starting a New Life

Nix nodded, eyes darting across the packhouse before settling back on me. “Yeah. They’re awake. And they’re worried.”

They weren’t the only ones—Nix was projecting his emotions like crazy. I rubbed my chest and leaned in to give him a kiss. He sighed into my mouth, tension melting for a second only to snap back when we parted.

He gave me one last tentative smile, then disappeared into the packhouse.

Rhett waited another second for his footsteps to fade, then turned to me, the biggest grin on his face.

“You work fast, man!” He laughed, slapping my shoulder. “First kiss yesterday, mated today? Congrats. I’m happy for you. A little disappointed I didn’t get a text, but damn… I’m stoked for you.”

I wrapped my arms around Rhett, letting his well wishes wash over me, then playfully shoved him away.

“I can’t remember getting a text when you mated Levi.”

“Dude?” Rhett raised his brows. “I called you because I was freaking the fuck out about him randomly passing out.”

Oh right.

“But you didn’t call me to tell me you were mated. You called me because you were afraid you’d accidentally hurt him.”

Rhett rolled his eyes. “I called you. It counts. A call actually trumps a text, so… anyway. Not important. You said you already got a plan?”

I did, and for what it was worth, my pack let me explain before they started objecting.

“No.” Rhett shook his head emphatically. “Dude, you always said duels are barbaric and a relic from the past that should’ve been abolished centuries ago.” He stared me down, holding eye contact for ages, his warm amber eyes boring into me, his worry on display. His wolf wanted to submit to my wishes, but Rhett fought like hell to stand up to me.

“I’m not saying those fights aren’t barbaric. I’m saying that I don’t see any other way. Do you think I want to go fight someone in a glorified pissing competition to win the rights over another person? It’s deeply fucked up.”

Rhett shook his head again, a vein in his neck pulsing as he leaned in, eyeing everyone in the room. “You can’t be with him on this, right?”

Heath cringed. “To be honest, I kind of agree with Gray. I know packs like Connie’s. And I know Alphas like Otto.” He rubbed his shoulder where I knew a fierce slash of scars was located. His Alpha had nearly killed him in a cage fight.

Just because he could.

He’d arrived at our pack fighting off a nasty infection, the wounds inflamed, his muscles torn so badly Jasper had been doubtful Heath would ever gain back full range of motion in his arm.

But he had.

Mostly.

“What?” Rhett turned to him, and Heath pulled his lips back in a grimace.

“You can’t solve a conflict with diplomacy if one party only understands violence,” he explained, outwardly calm, but his eyes darted to me. I nodded, letting him know he should go ahead. “So, I understand why Gray challenging the other Alpha is the only option. However, I’m not sure about infiltrating the pack to get that mage out.”

Next to me, Nix went rigid, head snapping to Heath, eyes spewing venom.

“Non-negotiable,” I said.

It was our only chance to get to the mage.

“Alpha…”

I shook my head, levelling Heath with a hard glare. “We’re not leaving him behind.”

Tension built between us until Heath averted his eyes, tilting his neck to the side. “Yes, Alpha.” His words sounded chopped, unwilling. “Can you at least listen to my objections?”

“What’s there to object?” Nix asked, voice quiet, yet he still pulled all the attention to himself as he leaned forward as far as he could, his torso almost lying on the desk as he stared at Heath.

Heath squirmed, eyes everywhere but on Nix.