***
“Who made you the boss of me?” Troy growled right back.
“You do this to me,” Philip pointed at the cum on his jeans, “and then have the audacity to show me attitude immediately after?” Philip knew that was a low blow and totally uncalled for but he didn’t really care. Troy brought out the nasty in him. He almost apologized when all the fire went out of Troy’s eyes to be replaced by mortification.
“I apologized,” Troy said quietly, his face turning red. “Please, I really need to do this.”
“Alright.” Philip sighed. “At least take a shower first.”
Troy nodded and turned to go. Philip had to suppress his groan at the sight of his mate’s bare arse. It was so fucking perfect. Admittedly, it was nothing like the usual curvy feminine ones he was used to. But the alpha didn’t think he’d seen a sexier arse. The warm throbbing desire in his groin was a clear indication of just how sexy he found his mate. And that body… Troy looked as fit as fuck. As if he’d had a growth spurt. Philip couldn’t wait to have that body beneath him. He wanted to…
“Fucking pull yourself together, Philip.” He muttered to himself as his hand went to his zipper. At least he’d finally experienced the saying, ‘rub to bliss’. It was a popular saying amongst mated werewolves. “Rub to bliss.” Philip chuckled as he took off his jeans.
Mated couples saw that blissful caress as a form of foreplay, giving a mate a quick release, or a reminder of what was to come later in bed. Well, Philip planned on using that power in a totally different way. Anytime his sassy, smart-mouthed mate decided to open his mouth and spew trash, he planned on shutting him up with that erotic caress. He was going to enjoy watching Troy’s eyes roll into his head in absolute bliss right in the middle of running his mouth. Philip couldn’t stop grinning as he changed into clean jeans. Troy had no idea what he was in for.
***
“Bright side, there are going to be no attacks from all those jealous exes.” Stan drawled, staring at the monitors. “He’s been marked.”
Receiving the mating mark was a sure guarantee of Troy’s safety from anyone who wanted to harm him in any way. He’d been marked by an alpha. That mark would scare people with evil intentions away from Troy. No one in their right minds would dare attack an alpha’s mate who bore the alpha’s mark.
“Still doesn’t make it right,” Joel muttered. “The council is going to have Philip’s head for this.” He groaned. As a member of the council, he knew how seriously they took it when their rules were flouted.
“Aw, y’all should shove your rules where the sun doesn’t shine.” Stan snorted, making Paige, George, and Pete erupt with laughter.
“You know, that smart mouth of yours is going to land you in trouble one of these days, Stanley.” Joel snapped.
“I’m so ready for that day.” Stan grinned.
“In as much as I’m happy about the fact that my son isn’t going to be attacked by all those bitches, I hate that Philip didn’t show him the needed respect and courtesy by first telling him what he is to him before marking him. Travis should have given his consent before he was claimed. That’s the right thing to do. And for that, I have a bone to pick with Philip.”
“That’s what I said.” Joel sighed. “Silly boy wouldn’t listen to reason though.”
“You feel as if they’ve eloped huh?” Paige asked Gloria softly.
“More like he’s stolen my son from me actually,” Gloria growled low in her throat. “If he’d done it with my son’s consent, then we could have comfortably said they’ve eloped. But the poor boy doesn’t know what’s going on.” Gloria looked pissed.
“Maybe the alpha wanted so much to spare those bitches from your wrath, he didn’t think.” Pete, the head assassin interjected, hoping to tone down Gloria’s anger towards his alpha.
“I think so too, Pete,” Stan said as he took his seat. “You should have seen the determination with which he dug into the neck of that golden wolf. And boy, did your son enjoy it, Mama G.” He grinned, his eyes filled with a naughty glint. “The boy fucking drooled the entire time those fangs were buried in his neck.”
“Do you blame him?” Joel chuckled. “Receiving the mating mark is the most pleasurable bite ever, you know. Especially if it’s done during mating. The ultimate experience.”
“Which my son couldn’t experience thanks to your hot-headed son.” Gloria fumed.
“Aw come on Gloria.” Joel rasped. “You know Philip is not a hothead.”
“Well, Troy still got his happy ending, Mama G.” Stan laughed. “Those lustful whimpers and all that cum. Damn.” He muttered as he reached out to adjust one of the monitors. Everyone burst into laughter.
“You’re nuts, Stanley.” Gloria chuckled despite herself. “I can’t wait to see his wolf.” She moaned. When she went to see her son the day before in Philip’s suite, he’d been fast asleep. And he’d looked even more handsome and so fit.
“Oh, you’ll see him in all his golden glory at the run tomorrow,” Stan said. “Trust me, he’s dope as fuck.” He pushed a button on the console. “Kate, what’s that black thing on the tree to your left?” He asked the head warrior.
“I’ll check it out, boss.” Came Kate’s voice over the intercom.
The pack was to have their monthly run the next day. Stan, Joel, Gloria, Paige, George the head hunter, and Pete the head assassin, were in the Operations Control Room, watching as the warriors moved through the woods for a final check. Although Joel and Gloria were elders and not part of the monitoring team, they always made it a point to be present during a final check. As a former head warrior, Gloria always wanted to see for herself that the pack would be safe during their run. Like Gloria, Joel, who had acted as alpha of Stanwood Pack for years after the death of Sylvester Stanton, deemed it his duty to ensure that every detail had been covered. But for his mate, Philip would have been there too.
“It’s Black Knot, boss.” Kate’s voice was heard again. “We’ll prune and spray them next week.”
“Cool. Just be sure to dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s, yeah?” Stan instructed.
“Will see to it, boss.”
“He’s up.” Paige squealed. “Philip just told me. We can go and see him after we’re done here.”
“Good.” Gloria nodded.