"Looks like I'm the last mateless one in our group." Xavier scowled, shaking his head.
I frowned. "You'll find her soon, Xavier."
He shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe I will."
Blaine's hand darted around my waist and he placed a kiss behind my ear. He watched Xavier, closely. "I'm Blaine, her mate. It's nice to finally meet you, Gamma."
Xavier chuckled lowly in response. "I'm her best friend. Nothing more than that, Alpha. I respect your matebond, and you both as Alpha's."
Blaine gave a terse nod.
Alphas are much more protective than regular pack wolves. It's in our blood to be territorial, especially with our mates. I expected his reaction to Xavier. Xavier was an unmated male wolf that I had been sleeping with. Honestly, I expected worse.
"Riley," I said before she glanced over at me with a smile. "You and Gabe may leave. I'm sure you two want to get to know each other."
She nodded her head feverishly. "Thanks, Sis!" Her arms interlocked with his as she ushered him out of the room.
I stepped up to the front of the room to address the twenty or so pack members that made up the council. They occupied each seat around the table. "Thank you for coming this morning."
Their heads whipped toward me expectantly.
"All of you know about the rejection that took place two years ago between me and Nolan Albright. Because of this, we all assumed I would lead this pack mateless."
Looks of pity crossed over their faces.
"However, I was lucky enough to find my second chance mate at my Alpha Ceremony. He will run this pack alongside me as of now. This is my true mate, Blaine Huntington." I glanced at him.
Blaine stepped forward and flashed a breathtaking smile that made my knees weak. "I'm Alpha Huntington. The fates blessed me with Alpha Maxwell as a mate and I'm thankful to have the chance to run this pack by her side."
"Thank you for being the mate she deserves," one of the female elders said.
"Just make sure you treat her right," an older man said.
Blaine's lip curved upward. "Don't worry. I'll love her as a soulmate should."
Smiles appeared on the faces of the council members. It filled me with pride. They had watched me grow up, and they became my family as Dad ran the pack.
I cleared my throat. "Now down to business, I called this meeting today to discuss the Lockhart pack. They've been quarreling with us for some time now over the territory in between us."
They nodded their heads. This wasn't surprising. Alpha Lockhart and my father had an obvious dislike for each other.
"There has been talk of them launching a full-scale attack on us. Now, this may be just talk, but my gut is telling me differently." I paused, wondering how they would react to what I was about to say. "I want to double-up patrols. Nobody patrols alone. Always have a buddy when scouting pack lines."
The room broke out in agreements before quieting again.
"Are there any other concerns or comments anyone wants to bring to attention?" I asked.
"No, Alpha Maxwell," an elder spoke up for them. "We are confident in your abilities."
"Good. If anyone needs anything you know where to find me. You are all dismissed. Remember what I said. And please—be careful." I waved them off.
I followed everyone toward the door and acknowledged the pack members who had come, thanking them for their time. Xavier and Cole were the last to leave.
Once it was just us, Blaine slammed the door.
I let out a gasp as he pinned me against the door tightly, both elbows rested at each side of my head. The closeness of our bodies set off an explosive sensation through me all the way down to my toes.
A smirk lingered on his features as I heard the door lock.
"What're you doing?" I mumbled, his face inching toward mine slowly.
"What I've wanted to do since I first met you." His voice was husky, and his hand slid behind my head.
I closed my eyes and arched into him at the contact of our lips, kissing him with everything I had. My arms went around his neck as he hoisted me up by my thighs while I wrapped my legs around his waist. He walked us over toward the oak table and laid me down softly, breaking the kiss.
His eyes stared into my own. "Let me mark you." His voice was hoarse.
My heart skipped a beat. I'd been waiting for this moment my whole life and I couldn't believe it was about to happen.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head over to one side, exposing the flesh. "Okay. Mark me."
He said nothing else; he didn't need to. The only thing I felt was his canines biting into my soft flesh. The pain lasted only a second before pleasure invaded my body like an upsurge. I grabbed his hair and small moans escaped me. He held my body down as I convulsed. It was a feeling of pure electricity and I couldn't get enough of it.
He withdrew and kissed his mark, breathing heavily. "Sophia."
I buried my face into his neck and kissed him where I wanted to place my mark. I loved the thought of bearing his mark, but I craved to do the same to him.
"Make me yours, as you are mine," he said.
I flipped him over onto the table to straddle him. His eyes went wide as I pinned his arms down. I bent forward and extended my canines, biting him in the crook of his neck. My teeth pierced his flesh like butter, and another wave of desire hit me as I heard his moans of pleasure from my bite. The blood tasted of metallic, but it couldn't bother me.
I pulled myself away from my mark and kissed it softly. I slumped over on him and closed my eyes. Our panting synchronized as we lay tangled together.
"I didn't know marking was so exhausting."
He yawned, holding my body to his. "Let's sleep then."
"In the meeting room?"
"You're the Alpha. You can
