Chapter 49: Jamie

49

JAMIE

“Y ou’re late,” Callum remarks with a knowing smile on his face as we appear in the field, cutting it far too close to the starting whistle. We should really have made it in time to help set up, but I couldn’t force myself to let go of Dean until our racing hearts had calmed, and the storm of emotions inside both of us simmered to a contented, blissed out feeling.

“That’s no way to speak to your Luna.” Dean quips, keeping his fingers tangled with mine as he hits Callum with a swift slap to the back of the head.

Callum smiles broadly and dips his head to me in a show of respect. “Welcome aboard, Jamie. It’s a pleasure to have you in the family.”

His words are genuine, and I feel another surge of emotion at his easy acceptance.

Dean squeezes my hand to check that I’m okay and to reassure me.

I smile up at him, needing to make sure he knows I’m fine. Emotional, but fine.

“How are they getting on? Where’s Wyatt?” I ask, staring out across the ten stations spread out across the vast expanse of open land.

“Late. But…” Callum bites his lip, unsure whether to continue.

I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow at him. “You started, you have to continue now.”

Callum hesitates, and Dean growls at him. “Do as your Luna says.”

Rolling my eyes, I rest my hand on Dean’s arm. “You can give that a rest alright. I’ve been marked for about two hours. Let’s give it a chance to sink in before we start snarling at everyone.”

To our left, two males scoff, and Dean rounds on them instantly. “Have you got something to say?”

They look me over, full of hatred, and back to Dean. “She’s not my Luna. No rogue is going to tell me what to do.”

Dean’s expression turns ice cold.

“If she’s not your Luna, then I’m not your alpha. You can find another pack to go to.”

The two men scramble to take their words back, but Dean continues to speak over them.

“There are plenty of alpha’s here that might take you in. Or maybe not once I have a word with them. Then let's see if you’re so high and mighty when you’re sleeping on the streets.” He turns away. “I’ll let you decide. You can apologise to Jamie by sundown or fuck off somewhere else.”

Suitably chastened, they bow their heads to me.

“Apologies, Luna.”

“Sorry ma’am.”

We don’t need any more drama around here. I nod, accepting their apology, and Dean pulls me protectively to his side.

“Where’s Wyatt?” Dean repeats, staring at Callum, letting him know he expects him to spill the beans.

Callum rubs the back of his neck before sighing and pointing out to the far side of the field, where Wyatt’s big frame is visible, standing a head above the spectators surrounding him.

“He’s been in terrible form since you were hurt. I thought now that you’re awake he’d be okay, but he’s getting worse. I’ve no idea what’s gotten into him, but if he starts a fight with someone, or someone starts one with him and he ends it, we’ll have to kick him out.”

Squinting, I stare at my brother. His shoulders are tense, and his brow is furrowed. He’s not happy about something.

Damn it. Is it my fault? He hasn’t had the best preparation with all my antics.

“I’ll talk to him and see if I can figure out what’s up with him.”

He has a big crowd gathered around, curious about the mysterious rogue. Maybe that’s what’s bothering him. Wyatt was never one for being the centre of attention. But he needs to get over it if he wants to win. Being an alpha means that someone’s always watching you. If he can’t handle a few spectators, how will he handle an entire pack watching his every move?

DEAN: He’ll be fine. I’m sure he’ll be back to himself once it all kicks off again, and you’re there to support him.

Nodding, I squeeze Dean’s hand and squash the feeling of unease inside me.

JAMIE: What’s wrong?

WYATT: Nothing. Good to see he let you back out, Sis, I was getting worried you were locked in that cabin again.

JAMIE: Don’t change the subject. Why do you look like you swallowed a wasp?

WYATT: No reason.

JAMIE: But…

WYATT: Leave it, Jamie.

Dean sees my stunned face.

Me and Wyatt rarely argue, and it’s always playful. This is different. He’s really pissed off.

I watch Wyatt as he stares at a nearby group of she-wolves. Unlike last time, there will be more than just one woman in the next round. Alpha females, from some of the strongest families, have turned up to show how well they can keep up with the boys.

Wyatt scowls, dragging a hand through his hair and storms off. Ryan Williams stands off to the side, laughing, an ugly smile on his smug face. I hate that guy.

I can’t tell from here who Wyatt was staring at. I need to get closer.

“Let him go. We’ll find him later,” Dean whispers, sensing my agitation. As his hand skims lower, settling over the curve of my ass, my cheeks heat. Not from embarrassment at the public display of affection, but at the need I feel unfurling inside me already.

I grin up at him and hold his hungry stare.

JAMIE: Let’s go.

I squeal as Dean bends and presses his shoulder to my stomach, throwing me over his back, despite how I kick and giggle.

“Callum, get everyone ready to start. We’ll be back soon,” he orders.

“Back soon? You shouldn’t be so proud of that,” Callum quips but Dean’s too happy to care.

His pack grins as they watch him slap my ass gently, tossing out a farewell salute as he pretends to walk away from the gathered crowds.

Or at least, I thought he was pretending.

“Dean, I was joking. We only just got here. We can’t just leave again! Everyone knows we’re only going home to mate!”

He turns his face and nips my backside hard, his fingers sliding higher between my thighs until he discreetly brushes my pussy, causing my core to clench.

“You’re Luna now, you can do whatever you want.” His voice is deep and gravelly, and my insides melt, my pulse picking up, anticipation building as the cabin comes into sight. “And I don’t joke when it comes to just mating . I take my duties very seriously.”

Grinning, I let my hands slide down his torso and start to unfasten his belt as he walks, eliciting a deep rumble from his chest that hints at what’s to come.

Take his duties seriously? That he does.

That he fucking does.