My wolf rides me, fighting for my skin. He wants to rub all over her. I hold him back with a strained laugh.

“We need to go. Otherwise, I won’t be responsible for losing control.”

She takes my offered hand. Angus and Benedict fall into step a few paces behind us.

Hundreds of candles line the paths until we reach the staircase descending to the main hall we entered through earlier. The back has a terrace leading to gardens through the drape of willow vines. Warm light and music spill from the open doors, inviting us in.

A banquet table laden with food lines the far wall of the long room. The ceiling is open to the twinkling night sky, the moon casting a bright glow. Many are already here, dancing and drinking. The volunteer packmates from each group serve wine in goblets.

Callie comes in, escorted by Liam. Avery hugs her.

“You look amazing!”

Callie beams. “Thank you.”

Several shifters’ attentions snag on Avery as we make our way across the room. My wolf grumbles in warning at anyone looking at her for too long.

Thank the Fates my claiming bite is a beacon to all of them. She is mine. If they try anything, I’ll end their existence.

Alistair’s chuckle sounds behind us. “I remember what it was like during the summit when the mating bond with Regina was fresh. I nearly broke the accords at least four times, going mad with jealousy.” He claps my shoulder with immense strength. “You’ll get through it.”

“It was closer to six,” Regina corrects with a wry smile. “And you still haven’t forgiven Rooke Bell for bringing me a drink.”

He grumbles. “He did it on purpose to cause an incident.”

“Thank the moon goddess I had the good sense to pass it off to someone else before your temper got the best of you,” she says.

I scan the room with a fresh sense of dread. No one will dare try any bullshit like that to take Avery from me. My wolf paws the ground, stalking back and forth right up on the veil. I guide her to our seats and open my mouth.

She holds up a hand before I speak. “No, I won’t be accepting anything from anyone. But you can get me a glass of wine.”

My tongue traces my lip as it curves at her assertive tone. “Yes, mate. As you wish.”

I pour her drink as the others take their seats, then hold her gaze as she takes a sip, admiring the bob of her throat. A pleased throaty noise leaves me. She tilts her head and it highlights her mating mark. I touch it, not giving a damn if we’re being too open when I tease her across the bond.

She stifles a faint moan and hisses, “Caden.”

“Yes, my heart?”

She purses her lips at the mischief lacing my voice. Narrowing her gaze slyly, she sips her drink. It’s my turn to cover for myself, grabbing blindly at the back of her chair to fight the tantalizing sensation of her nails skating down my chest and stroking my abs lower, lower, fuck.

“Sit down,” she says.

I collapse into my seat at her side, brushing my knee with hers under the table. “When I get you alone…”

She hums, cheeks flushing. I snag her wrist and bring her hand up to kiss.

Callie sighs from her spot diagonally across the table. “I should be grossed out because you’re my brother, but it’s sweet to see you two together. I hope I find my True Mate someday.”

Avery’s blush deepens. “I’m certain you will.”

I frown, not wanting to think of the males she could be fated to. “But not for a long time.”

Callie clicks her tongue. “I’m only a few years younger than you. At some point you have to stop treating me like a baby.”

“Not happening.”

The banquet begins with a toast to our continued harmonious unity. Once dinner is underway, Alistair leans across the table to talk to me.

“I hear you’re making your first bid this year.”

“I am. It’s a proposal to update trading with Silver Falls Pack.” His brows rise in interest. “As it stands, we share resources in spring and summer.”

“We hope to foster a strong, fruitful relationship between our packs year-round,” Avery says.

The corners of his eyes crinkle. I fight not to tense under his scrutiny of us. Shit. Have I misstepped? I watched and waited to make my proposal until after I felt out how the other packs would respond so I wouldn’t come on too strong.

“What’s that smile for?”

“It shows great initiative. And dedication to your pack. I’m proud to see it since I feel like I had a hand in preparing you to become an alpha,” he answers.

Avery puts a hand on my back. I relax.

“It’s good to be a young alpha.” At the chorus of bawdy laughter from the others near us, Alistair inclines his head. “Not for that reason. He’s not stuck in most of the old ways like the rest of us.”

“A young mind has young ideas,” Alpha Bell muses a few seats away.

“Which isn’t a bad thing,” Alpha Shepherd from Twin Rivers Pack says further down the table.

“I certainly have my full strength,” I offer with a smirk.

Alistair’s laughter booms. “That you do. But don’t think I couldn’t match it just because I’m old enough to be your father.”

“It’s been a while, but if you’re looking to be my sparring partner again, I’ll take you on,” I joke.

He raises a glass in toast. I clink my goblet against his.

Partway through dinner, Taryn makes her way down the table to refresh drinks. She stops to talk to Callie and Kyra Bell, the three of them giggling. Atlas slips from his seat by his father and joins them, standing close to Taryn. She’s amused by whatever he says. He gives her a lopsided tilt of his mouth, not being too subtle about his interest in her.

She empties the pitcher into Kyra’s cup and rolls her eyes at Callie, trudging back towards the kitchens. He follows her after a beat, stopping her by the door. She sets the pitcher down on a pedestal and he leans into her space, hand propped against the wall by her head. They’re too far to hear what he’s murmuring.

Liam watches the entire exchange with a set jaw. The moment Atlas cages her, he moves from his guard position with the other betas to intervene. Atlas looks between them with confusion, backing off with his hands raised.

Taryn huffs, spinning on her heel to enter the kitchens. Liam shakes his head, staring after her for a beat before he returns.

“What was that all about?” I ask when he passes me.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it,” Liam mutters.

I smirk, arm draping over the back of Avery’s chair. Dinner begins to wind down as we finish our meals. I’m only paying half my attention to the conversation with the alphas, more focused on using the bond to trace Avery’s mating mark. She squirms while she chats with Regina, touching it, finding I’m not actually touching her.

I keep doing it when groups break away from the table, guiding her around the room with her hand tucked in the crook of my arm. A male we talk to from Moonlight Lake Pack eyes her mark with a glimpse of envy.

I draw her closer into my side, kneading her shoulder so my fingertips brush over the bite mark. Her breath hitches. I keep my hand resting on her shoulder, thumb caressing her nape. The bond lights up with her enjoyment. The male tears his attention from her mark at my rumble, clearing his throat in apology.

A satisfied grin twists my mouth. The best way to keep any of them from coveting Avery is to rub it in their faces that she’s mine.

The banquet takes on a new purpose for me now that I’ve found a way to enjoy the festivities. I go out of my way to talk to as many in attendance as I can, relishing introducing my mate and her coy reaction each time.

35AVERY

The feast is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’ve only been to parties on packlands, never something as extravagant and enchanting as the Pack Summit. It’s wonderful to see the leaders and their delegations from each pack come together in support of each other.