Sheba thought about what he’d said, and it sounded fair. “Hey, you’re not just a pretty face, are you?”
“Nope, I also have a brain.” He laughed, throwing the covers off and getting out of bed, showing his glorious naked body. “Now, let’s shower and go kick some butt.”
Ray stood waiting on them as they arrived downstairs, his face inscrutable as always. Stepping forward he grasped Fox’s hand in a firm grip. “Welcome to the Dark Moon Pack, Alpha.”
Fox returned the handshake, smiling. “Thank you, and thanks for saving my hide. You’re one impressive Wolf.”
Ray grinned, shaking his head. “Think nothing of it. You’re the one that impressed me that day. Holding your own against those rogues with a trap on your leg was the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m glad to see you’ve recovered.”
“Thanks, but I didn’t really have a lot of choice in the matter. It was fight or die and I didn’t want to die.” Fox shrugged.
“I hear ya,” Ray replied, turning to Sheba. “We need to talk, Sheba.”
“Good or bad news?” she asked as she walked toward the kitchen, the smell of bacon calling to her.
“Bit of both.” Ray and Fox following. “As you know, we got rid of the rogues. Not just from our land. We’ve worked with the surrounding Packs and helped them to oust the lot of them. But, I’ve heard a few rumblings within the Pack . . . about Fox here. I thought I’d give you a heads up before you went out.”
“Shit, just what I need.” Sheba sat down. “Well, I refuse to deal with it on an empty stomach.”
Fox chuckled as her mother rushed around producing a veritable feast. “Jeez, there’s enough here to feed an army.”
“It’s nothing, eat up, and it’s nice to see you two out and dressed for once.”
“That’s my fault,” Sheba said, shrugging. “I wanted to put off all this bullshit for as long as I could.”
Ray snagged a plate, piling it high with food. “Thanks, Alisha, I’ve already eaten but who could say no to your cooking?”
“Aww, shush, Ray. You couldn’t say no to anybody’s cooking!”
“Hey, I’m not greedy, I’m just always hungry,” Ray quipped back as he started to eat.
Fox filled his own plate then looked at Ray. “Is it going to be bad for Sheba? I hate to be the cause of any problems for her.”
“It is what it is, Fox. You are her mate, plain and simple. We stand together on this, as do most of the Pack. There’s always a few that are stuck in their backward ways. Sheba, if I may make a suggestion?”
Sheba stopped with a piece of bacon right at her lips. “Sure.”
“You can make up your own mind, of course, but unless something is directed to you specifically, I’d let Fox deal with things. He’s new here and has to make his stamp in the Pack, as not only your mate, but as his place as Alpha. That means he’s going to be tested as such, and with you being the first female Alpha, this is new territory for everyone. You and I have seen him in his Shifter form, we know how he looks . . . fucking huge and deadly to boot. Maybe the Pack needs to see that too. In my mind, the sooner the better. That might shut them up once and for all.”
“Sounds good to me,” Fox said firmly. “I’m ready to deal with anything anyone says or does. I’ve dealt with a lot in my time, Ray, so a few barbs won’t faze me, but I’m more than willing to put on a show to get people to back off, from me and Sheba. But, I need you to know something, I’m Sheba’s mate and she is Alpha, first and foremost. I’ll support her at all times, but I don’t want to rule this Pack. Just want that to be clear to everyone, especially you.”
“I’m aware of that, Fox” Ray gave Fox a sly look. “Sheba would never have mated with a man that wanted to rule over her…or the Pack.”
Fox chuckled. “I can see why you two are best friends, and why you’re Beta, and I think the sooner we put a stop to any rumblings in the Pack, the better.”
Alisha walked past, patting Fox’s shoulder. “I, for one, can’t wait to see your Lion.”
Fox looked over at Sheba, giving her a wink. “I’ll try and let everyone know that they can’t mess around with either of us. If they do, then they’ll find out soon enough that neither one of us will put up with any shit. Right, Sheba?”
Sheba had listened to them talking, mulling everything over and came to a decision. “If there is no direct confrontation to me then I’ll let it slide and allow you to deal with it, Fox. But I’m telling you, if there is even an inclination that they think I’m not a fit Alpha then I’ll be the one to step in and I do not want you involved. I’ve worked too damn hard to gain the Pack’s respect to lose it now just because I’ve got a man by my side. I love you, you know I do, but I won’t let our love rule my head when it comes to ruling the Pack.”
Ray’s head spun quickly to Fox who pursed his lips then nodded. “Fair point. I can’t say I understand the politics within a Wolf Pack because within a Pride it’s not unusual to have a Queen rule. So if it’s been difficult for you then I’m truly sorry for that. I’ll always have your back,
