Alpha King Rejected Mate

34

"That many?" I asked, surprised. I supposed it was a good way to teach humans about wolves, and the Libra pack was all about keeping the peace—even between different species, it seemed.

"We've worked hard to try to change humans' perception of wolves," Ethan said with a slow grin. "Now let's get inside, I'm sure you're all exhausted after the journey. I know I am."

We followed Ethan into the hotel, while the Ophiuchus pack members from the other vans trickled in after us through the sliding double doors. The lobby was just as nice as I imagined it to be, with white marble floors and huge chandeliers, along with a small fountain in the entry. Ethan stopped at the front desk and spoke to a woman there, who nodded and then directed everyone to line up so she could pass out room assignments.

Ethan brought us an envelope personally with our keys inside. "I saved the penthouse for you two, I hope it's to your liking.”

Kaden accepted it with a nod. “Thank you, I'm sure it will be more than comfortable.”

“The conference rooms are also available to you for meetings of any kind, and you can even order room service. Basically, you have the whole run of the hotel for now. My staff will help with anything you require."

"That's most generous of you," I said.

"What about a place for the Leo Alpha?” Kaden asked.

“I have just the place," Ethan said. "He'll never be able to escape.”

“Perfect,” Kaden said.

I smiled at Ethan. “Thank you again for taking us in. We all really appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Ethan said as if the Libra pack hadn't been on the fence about allying with us only days ago.

I just hoped this alliance could last—and that coming here had been a good idea.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Kaden and I grabbed our bags and then rode the elevator up to the top floor, which turned out to be entirely the penthouse. It was just as lavish as the lobby, and the furniture was modern, minimalist, and clearly expensive. The couch alone probably cost more than I'd ever made in my years of working put together.

I walked to the huge window and peered out. The city of Toronto stretched out in the distance, glimmering lights switching on as the sun fell behind the horizon. The park was as close as Ethan had said, a spot of darkness between the city lights. But when Kaden stepped up beside me, he didn't look pleased.

“What is it?” I asked.

He bared his teeth a little as he looked outside. "I'd rather be in the forest. I don't think we can trust these city wolves. It's not natural for us to be among humans like this.”

“Well, I'm excited to explore the city,” I said and made my way over to the huge couch. I knew there would be an adjustment period, but I hoped Kaden could settle in here, along with the rest of the pack. The Libras had been the only pack who'd offered to let us stay with them, so we couldn't exactly afford to be picky about it.

Kaden joined me, sitting close enough that our legs brushed. I leaned my head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me. “I know this is different,” I said, “but it's important. This is the first time one of the Zodiac packs has offered to help us in such a big way. It could be the beginning of cooperation on a larger scale.”

“I just hope they can be trusted," Kaden grumbled. "I'm taking a huge gamble letting the pack live here among them. Maybe we should just go back to my original plan of taking over all the packs and killing anyone who stands in our way.” He only sounded like he was half joking, and I pulled away from him slightly.

“Absolutely not. I won't let you. The Ophiuchus pack is better than that. You're better than that.” I poked him in the chest, and Kaden let out a huff. “Besides, the other Zodiac Wolves aren't our true enemies, the Sun Witches are. The sooner the other packs see that, the better.”

“True,” Kaden said grudgingly, rubbing a hand up and down my arm in a soothing motion. “But when it's all said and done, will the other packs let the Ophiuchus pack back into the Zodiac Wolves? Will we ever be accepted as one of them?”

I opened and closed my mouth as I tried to come up with a response. I didn't have a clear answer, and Kaden knew that. “I don't know,” I finally said. “But we have to try. Our future as a pack depends on it.”

“You're speaking like the true alpha female of the pack now,” Kaden said, pulling me closer to him. I closed my eyes as he nuzzled into my neck. I tilted my head to the side to let him get better access, and let out a moan of pleasure as his hand slid to my breast, playing with my n****e through the fabric of my shirt. Kaden hummed, pressing kisses to the side of my neck and following it up with a few light bites, scraping his teeth against the tendon of my neck. I shivered, little bolts of pleasure running through me.

I shifted closer to him, feeling the press of his c**k through his pants against my lower back. I wanted to move against him, to get rid of the layers between us and take advantage of this brief period of peace, but duty still pulled at me.

“We should probably go make sure everyone is settling in okay,” I murmured.