Capítulo 48

"It's about time," Jason said. "I was beginning to think you'd stay in your room all weekend."

"It was tempting," William said without a trace of embarrassment.

Lily, on the other hand, blushed. Jason was tempted to say more, but Phoebe elbowed his shoulder to stop him, adding a warning look. Jason wisely held his peace. Sensing his mate's disquiet, William grasped her hand and kissed it. The contact made Lily shiver with pleasure, and her face suddenly warmed in response to something William undoubtedly mindlinked.

"Will, that is uncalled for," Phoebe admonished, sensing the exchange.

The Alpha jerked around to stare at her. He briefly wondered if she somehow picked up on the silent communication but dismissed the idea. It was far more likely she was inferring the content from Lily's reaction.

"Just because Lily's brother is an Alpha doesn't mean she's prepared for one's libido. You have to let her have her moments to catch her breath without constantly being reminded of it."

Reed, who was drinking his coffee quietly, watching his sister, suddenly choked on his drink as the she-wolves at the table broke into laughter. It was William's turn to blush deep red. Even if Phoebe couldn't hear another's mindlink, her observational skills were second to none.

"Is that what you really think of me?" Jason asked when he was able to speak, just as stunned as the rest.

She turned her shimmering silver gaze to him, asking, "Are you going to tell me you've had anything else on your mind since you pulled me into your lap?"

This time, Lucille nearly snorted out her drink as Jason struggled to maintain a neutral expression, unwilling to join his friend in mutual embarrassment. Phoebe had been so quiet and demure at their first meeting, he wasn't prepared for her to be so frank and assertive. Yet, it was her mindlink that had him undone.

"Should I tell them about the bulge I'm sitting on?"

Jason growled as his blush deepened, unable to speak even as his pants became more uncomfortable. He was certain she had no idea how turned on he was by her growing confidence.

"There, you see Lily," Phoebe looked again to their guest. "That is how you put an Alpha in his place. Don't let him intimidate you. His wolf will always take your side, so it's three against one, and you will always have the advantage."

"Now just a moment," William finally found his voice, "that's not true."

"Oh? Why don't you ask your wolf?" Phoebe challenged. "What does he think?"

William fell silent, no doubt listening to his wolf respond.

Jason turned his attention to his own wolf. Lobo's answer was immediate, even before he could pose the question:

'Mate can do anything she wants!'

Jason might have complained if Phoebe didn't suddenly begin running her hands through his hair. Her fingers traced circles along his scalp, sending ripples of shock and pleasure coursing through him. He couldn't argue with his wolf.

"Well... we won't stand for mutiny, right Jason?" William announced, no doubt having just received a similar message from his wolf.

"Give it up, Will," Lucille chuckled when Jason didn't answer. "My brother is officially whipped."

Jason shot his sister a glare and growled, but there was no rage behind it and it came out more like a purr. This only earned him more chuckles. But he really wasn't all that upset as long as Phoebe sat in his lap, her scent surrounding him and her touch making his skin tingle.

Before anyone could say more, a sudden commotion at the entrance caused them to turn as a young Alpha, not more than twenty, with a she-wolf on either arm, strutted in, followed by his guard, also accompanied by an equally voluptuous she-wolf. Phoebe eyed them coldly as her eyes shimmered silver.

None of the she-wolves were mated, and as far as she could tell, they were neither rejected nor had they rejected their fated mates. Like many she-wolves, their instincts attracted them to strong, powerful males. Only a few ended up like Camilla or Katrina, so infatuated with power they rejected their true mates. Most eventually settled with their fated mates once found. It was too soon to know whether these three she-wolves were the former or the latter. Their clothing was very revealing, bordering on trashy, and inappropriate considering the room was filled with Alphas, Lunas, and pups.

"Lily? What is it?" William asked, sensing his mate's sudden fear. "What's wrong, baby?"

"It's him..." she tried to stifle a sob.

"Who?"

"Her first mate," Reed growled low. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Guards say the Alpha is from Big Sky pack," Luke said after mindlinking the wolves tasked with guarding the road. "I don't remember hearing any succession ceremonies happening, so his father is probably still leading the pack. He probably sent his son to act as his proxy."

"If he's with a Montana pack, it stands to reason the pack you sent him to couldn't stand him either," Jason said, recalling Reed had sent Lily's first mate to Texas in order to spare her.

Lily trembled, eliciting a growl from William as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, letting his scent, touch, and presence soothe and calm her. His wolf was raging, ready to rend the Alpha's escort to pieces.

The young Alpha and his group sauntered to a table, parading in front of the others as they took their seats. Pounding the table, the Alpha declared, "Bring us meat!"

His escort chuckled at the Alpha's brazen declaration. As an omega passed, he smacked the young she-wolf's ass, saying, "Come see me later, babe."

Shannon shuddered, shuffling away. Jason growled, intending to confront them, but it was Phoebe who stood first. Calmly, she walked toward the group, her gaze shimmering silver. Jason momentarily panicked and moved to stand, but Lobo halted him with a whimper,

'Mate is... furious!'

His wolf cowered in the back of Jason's mind as he watched Phoebe reach the omega she-wolf. She hugged the other female, whispering comforting words before sending her to the kitchen. Once the she-wolf was a safe distance, Phoebe turned her gaze on the males.

"What? You want to be first, honey?" the warrior asked with a leering gaze. "You're not much to look at, but I'll be happy to make room for you."

A soft gasp traveled through the dining hall. Jason's aura was already rising with his rage at the disrespect shown to his Luna, to say nothing of the solicitation. In contrast to the rage burning within him, Phoebe's anger was calm and cold, though no less penetrating, as her aura rolled over the group.

"I would have expected these she-wolves to have more self-respect," Phoebe glared at the scantily clad trio. Her nose wrinkled at the unmistakable scent of sex, explaining why the party was so late.

"What's it to you?" the boldest of the three asked, even as she shivered under Phoebe's scrutiny.

"There are pups present and you don't belong here. Leave."

"Excuse me? What makes you..."

"Leave!" Phoebe snapped with a growl. "If you aren't off this pack's land in five minutes, you will be tossed in the prison."

"...But we drove here. How are we supposed to get home?"

"I don't care," Phoebe answered. "You have two working legs, four if you shift. It's not like you have to worry about your clothes getting ruined. Figure it out."

The she-wolves hesitated, looking at their escorts for support, but both the Alpha and warrior were silent, captivated by Phoebe's aura.

"I said GO!" Phoebe's eyes flashed as her command filtered into her voice. Unable to fight it, the she-wolves finally fell silent and obeyed. Phoebe didn't spare them another glance as she focused on the males.

"Y-you better know some good tricks to make up for that," the warrior finally managed to break his trance.

"Silence!" Phoebe snapped, her eyes practically glowing. Despite this bravado, the warrior was rendered speechless. "Someone else will deal with you, so be patient and wait your turn. As for you..."

Phoebe's gaze turned to the young Alpha. He shuddered, not knowing why he feared her.

"Name."

"...L-Liam."

"Is this how you intend to run your pack?" Phoebe demanded. "Showing up late to an official gathering, sauntering into a room filled with Alphas and Lunas with a pack slut on either arm?"

She didn't care for the term herself, "pack slut." Many male wolves were far more promiscuous and yet weren't given any derogatory nicknames. Most went on to find their fated mates and would remain loyal to them. But she needed to shock him if she was going to have the proper impact.

"And what if your mate was here?" Phoebe asked. "She would have watched you walk in here with those she-wolves, smelling like them. What do you think she would think about that? Should we ask? What about you, Nina?"

Phoebe's gaze shifted to one of the young she-wolves she spoke to at the pool. The she-wolf sat with her friends uncomfortably close to the scene that had just played out. Though they were a few years too young to sense their mates yet, no doubt it still left an impression on them.

"Nina, what do you think about what you just saw? What would you think if this young Alpha was your mate?"

"I think it was disgusting! I wouldn't want him to touch me! Ever! A chosen mate would be better than him!"

"Well, that says it all," Phoebe's gaze returned to the young Alpha. "I'd count myself fortunate if I were you."