friend’s hair. “You’re always so supportive of me,” she said.
“I have no choice. I love you.” Layla batted her hand away. Chuckling, both froze as they heard her mother calling.
“Duty calls,” Elle said, standing.
“At least your mother can cook. Chilli is delicious, and all the pack loves it. My mother makes macaroni cheese, and it’s horrid. I’m sure she curdles the milk,” Layla said, cringing.
Chuckling, Elle followed her friend downstairs.
Vivian was grating cheese and putting a few components together. “Hey, girls. I’m getting everything ready. Another hour or so and we’ll be able to get the table ready.”
Elle took the cheese from her mom and started grating the stuff into a pile. Her thoughts returned to Brandon as her bandaged wrist caught her eye. The wound pulsed, and the slight burning made it irritable.
She listened to the conversation between her mother and friend with half an ear. Her pussy melted as Brandon invaded her mind once again. His big presence and alarming scent were hard to simply ignore. She’d spotted the wolf tattoo across his back, and all she wanted to do was lick the tat.
He was covered in tats , and the power oozed out of him.
Stop thinking about him.
Another bunch of howling came through the night air. She closed the window opposite the counter. The night air sent chills up her spine.
“They’re really howling some tonight. I’ve never known them to be like this,” Vivian said.
Her parents had moved to Grace Hill when she was sixteen. She’d liked the decision then, but now that she was due to be mated to Brandon, she hated it. Her friends kept in touch with her, but she stopped them from visiting.
Grace Hill had rules, and she’d been taught to abide by them. Letting out a sigh, she continued grating the cheese, trying to block all thoughts of the alpha from her mind.
Chapter Five
Brandon stood in the centre of the forests waiting for his pack to gather. The first bell had just rung letting the humans know the change was coming. He stared up at the full moon in the sky feeling the power it held over him. His muscles flexed as he watched each member of his pack moving through the clearing. Darcy, Drake, and Lewis stood beside him. He spotted Daisy as she came through with her mate. Matthew had his arm wrapped his mate. Several other mates were snuggled against each other in bliss. He saw Lori coming toward him.
He raised his arms in the air gaining their attention. Silence descended on the gathering.
“I want to thank you all for coming tonight. The full moon is powerful, and we use this night to give ourselves over to the night and the beast.”
Cheers rang around the pack along with howls.
“Tonight I bring great news as well. Today I was mated.”
Gasps went around the group. Lori smirked , moving forward. She clearly thought he’d claimed her.
“Who did you mate?” Daisy asked, stopping Lori from moving any farther with an arm around her waist.
“Get off me, bitch,” Lori said.
“Alpha will speak before you , slut.” Daisy threw her to the ground showing she may be old in years but not in strength.
“No more,” Brandon said. He yelled the words as Lori went to attack Daisy. She stopped as his command brought her obedience. “I mated with a human. The fates have seen fit to match me with a human, and she will be your queen.”
“What? A human by your side? Have you gone mad?” one of the men asked.
Lori glared at him with hands on hips. “How can you pick a human to help you lead this pack?” she asked.
He listened to them rant and rave.
“Shut the fuck up,” Drake said, yelling. His beta gained their attention.
“Who is the bitch who’ll be by your side?” Lori asked.
Brandon charged to her side, wrapped his hand around her neck, and squeezed. “I don’t want to hear those words coming from your lips. Do you understand me?”
He waited for her nod before he let go.
“The last time I checked I was