The Alpha King's Invitation

Chapter 12: Confronting The Ex

Raelynn’s POVI scooted closer to Callan. Not entirely because I was cold but because he made me feel better about confronting the pack with my good fortune.

I knew that none of them would say anything to our faces about their hatred for me, but the bitches in the pack did seem to hate me. Whether it be because I was close to the future Alpha, Beta, and Gamma or because I’m pretty I really don’t know. All I knew was that I wasn’t looking forward to the glares of the she-wolfs.

Part of me wanted to make out with Callan in front of them and yell ‘eat your heart out. Look who I got.’ But that wasn’t who I was. Sure, I could be petty from time to time but I wasn’t the kind of person who would throw my good fortune into someone else's face. And I wasn’t the type to go looking for attention.

I began to shiver slightly, not because of the cold but because of the thought of everyone staring at me and be not being able to slink away out of the spotlight. I’d always been able to stand comfortably in the background because Maya was there to take the spotlight. But now there are two spotlights and she’s in the brighter one and now I have to get accustomed to my spot.

But I’m not just the center of attention in a new circle, but now I have a leadership position. I’m the future Luna of the Red Nightwalker Pack. I’m the second most important figure in the second strongest pack in the country. I never expected to be in any sort of power position.

I looked up at Callan, did he feel burdened by being in a leadership position? He’d been in charge of a pack for years and all without a Luna, I’m sure he’s happy that I’ll be able to help him and lighten his load.

I was about to ask him when I heard the sound of a bus approaching.

“Looks like they’re here.” Callan said shielding me from the wind. “Maybe we should go back inside.”

I just nodded, biting my lip as I let him lead me back inside. Walking back inside make my body feel warmer but it only made me more worried than I was about the task I still had to do.

Xavier had stood up, Owen had probably mind-linked him. He turned toward us and raised an eyebrow. “I thought you would stay out there. Owen is excited to see you. He’s psyching himself up to meet your mate.”

“Great.” I groaned rolling my eyes. He better not go all ‘protective big brother’ on me, trying to be intimidating with Callan. I could see that happening though both him and Brett would pull that.

“He’s just worried about you.” He shrugged turning towards Maya and William.

“You know it’s not too late for us to just go barricade ourselves in our room.” I said batting my eyes hopefully towards Callan.

He chuckled, “As tempting as that is, it wouldn’t be the best idea now my love.”

I sighed and nodded, “Well let’s get this over with.”

We stood next to Xavier, the proverbial bottom of the totem pole, as the doors opened and my old pack came spilling into the lobby.

“Welcome Light River Pack, to the site of our mountain retreat.” William called in a commanding tone.

I took a few deep breaths. "As you know." Maya said, "I have mated with the future Alpha King. But earlier today my best friend, Raelynn, found her mate as well."

"Now I know," Xavier’s voice had never sounded more authoritative, "most of you if not all, are not Raelynn’s best fans. But as her home pack, we will wish her the best and support her in her new role, moving forward, as the future Luna of the Red Nightwalker Pack."

I heard the collective gasp from the girls and saw a few shocked and skeptical looks from those I could see.

Just think, Charity said lending her support, this is the last you'll have to deal with them till you move out.

I took another deep breath as they stepped forward and wished Maya and William happiness, greeted Xavier, and then got to me. For the most part it wasn't that bad. Most of them just said congratulations and moved on to find their rooms but there were those few interactions that weren't part of the whole. 

I moved a bit closer and showed Callan off when it came to the girls that used to tease me. Of course, I'm sure they'd b***h later but their attitudes were not my problem anymore. Owen and Alex, well they were a whole thing.

Owen smiled at Maya and shook William’s hand, completely ignored Xavier, and pulled me into a big hug.

"I'm so happy for you Ray. You look happy. Is he treating you well?" He asked spinning me around.

"Yeah, I'm fine Owen now put me down so I can introduce you."

He did then extended his hand to Callan, "I'm Owen Langley. Ray's big brother. Nice to meet you."

Callan gave a small smile, "Nice to meet you as well. I'm Callan.” He returned Owen’s handshake and I saw Owen’s face wince slightly.

“Ok, It’s my job to hold his hand.” I said grabbing Callan’s hand and releasing Owen.

“We’ll have to talk some more later and get to know each other.” Owen chuckled, rubbing his hand on his pants.

“Sure.” Callan’s face seemed a little too proud.

I glared at him for a second before it was Alex’s turn. Alex smiled and congratulated Maya and William, nodded at Xavier and then turned to me.

“Hey Ray. So you found your mate huh?”

I nodded, smiling, “Yep. Alex, this is Callan, my mate. Callan, this is Alex, he's my friend.” I tried to keep Alex’s introduction smooth. I’d tell him after Alex was on a totally different floor. Or unless he asked but when would that ever come up?

“Alpha Callan.” Alex said, giving a bow to show his neck. Not sure that was wise but ok.

“Hello.” He replied tightly. Strange. “Are you and my Raelynn close?”

Goddess not a follow up question. Just say hello and we’ll move on.

Alex gave a smirk. “Yes. Ray and I are close. Then again she’s close with a lot of guys.”

I can’t believe that he just said that.

But I didn’t expect what happened next.

Callan’s POVHe was just as tall as her brother and Xavier with brown hair and brown eyes. He wasn’t anything special, why would Raelynn choose him to satisfy her? Was he good in bed or something?

“Hey Ray. So you found your mate huh?” His voice wasn’t anything special either.

Ray nodded and was smiling, “Yep. Alex, this is Callan, my mate.” I love how she claimed me. “ Callan, this is Alex, he's my friend.” She may not have meant to but she hesitated for a fraction of a second between my and friend. Was she going to tell me? I’d like to think that she would. Maybe I’d have to give her an opening to talk about it.

“Alpha Callan.” Alex said, giving a bow to show his neck. I imagined myself slicing it, it made me feel a little better knowing he was deferring to my dominance.

“Hello.” I replied. I tried to un-clench my jaw enough to talk normally. I hoped that Ray wouldn’t notice my curtness. “Are you and my Raelynn close?”

I had to ask that while claiming her. There Raelynn, I gave you an opening. Or I gave him an opening to admit it. Of course maybe here wasn’t the place. But what would he come back with?

Out of everything I didn’t expect to see him smirk. “Yes. Ray and I are close. Then again she’s close with a lot of guys.”

Blaze threw himself to the surface and before I could stop myself I punched him. Blaze was murderous, he was ready to kill the bastard. How dare he insinuate that my mate slept around. Even if she did, he had no right to insinuate it here.

“Callan!”

I wasn’t sure who yelled it if it was Will or if it was Ray but I knew who touched me as soon as she put her arms around my arm.

Blaze turned his attention to her breathing hard.

“Stop.” She said firmly, looking straight into my eyes. They must have been black as onyx but her eyes didn’t waver. “Stop.” She repeated stronger.

I pushed Blaze back and raigned my temper back. This wasn’t the way to handle it. I stood up and as one last way to lash out Blaze kicked him in the side.

“Callan.” She scolded then pushed me into the nearest chair.

I was still breathing hard as she glared at me with her hands on her hips. We didn’t break eye contact but I saw her brother help him up. I opened my mouth to say something but then I felt a sting against my cheek and the force knocked my head to the right.

Blaze whimpered and backed up to the back of my mind, his tail between his legs. I let out a growl.

She grabbed my hand and made me stand but turned towards Xavier, Alex and her brother. “You disgust me.” She spat and then she dragged me towards the elevators.

The whole ride up to our floor I wanted to say something but every time I was about to say something she shot a glare at me. She just leaned against the railing and glared at the door like it had puched her f**k-boy too.

She dragged me to our room, opened the door and pointed for me to enter.

I felt like a boy who was about to be scolded by his mother. But apart from still being thoroughly pissed at Alex and upset that she’d hit me in front of people, I couldn’t help but find her bossyness and authoritative actions extremely sexy.

She didn’t say anything, just walked into our room then into the bathroom. I followed her but sat on the bed and waited for her to say something. She didn’t, I heard the water and then she came out with a wet washcloth.

I sat still as she came over and put the cold washcloth on my face where she’d smacked me and just held it there.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” she said finally.

“I know.” I muttered.

“Not you. Your wolf.” She snapped.

“I know.” I repeated.

“Then why did you do it?” she groaned.

I debated telling her that I knew who he was but I just decided to be honest. “He insulted you.”

She grabbed my hand and made me hold the rag to my face. It was warm now so it wasn’t doing anything but I kept it there.

She walked to the door then back to the bed pinching the bridge of her nose with both of her pointer fingers then letting her hands drag down her face. She was clearly annoyed and trying to choose her words carefully. Finally she let out a loud groan and leaned against the door.

“He did but he was just salty because…. Well because he used to be….”

Was she trying to tell me? “He used to be what?” I asked, trying to keep the  hardness out of my voice.

She took a deep breath and then walked over gently putting her hands on either side of my face. “We used to be f**k-buddies. But I never had any romantic feelings for him. I suspect, and now I know, that he had feelings for me though.”

I reached out and pulled her close to me, “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

She pulled away from me and looked into my eyes before pushing away, “How did you know?”

I stayed silent, I had told Xavier I wouldn’t spill.

She came back and pressed her nose to mine, I could feel her breath brush against my lips.

I wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss away this conversation. I’d flip her onto the bed and make her forget his name. To make her scream my name and beg for more.

“Xavier.” She growled, taking steps back before I could make my move. “I’m gonna kick his ass.”

“Dont.” I said reaching for her.

She reached out and gave me her hand but refused to budge when I tried to pull her closer. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t bury him in snow and leave him there?” She glared.

I chuckled, really? Bury him in snow was the best she could do? She was so cute when she was trying to be mad. “Because he wanted to prepare me for what I was walking into. That I was about to meet the guy who has had a thing for you for years and who you were f*****g until this trip.”

She flinched when I put it so simply. I used her moment of weakness to pull her to me and once she was wrapped in my arms, she didn’t try to get out.

“He wanted me to know that he might do something like he did, because he’s mad that your mine now.” I said leaning close to her.

“I still don’t like it. It wasn’t his place.” She muttered. I could tell that she was losing her fight with how close we were.

“It wasn’t but, you weren’t telling me.”

It was the truth but I saw guilt flash through her eyes. “I was going to Callan. I really was. The lobby just wasn’t the place to do it.”

I nodded. “Yeah I know. But I’m not sorry that I beat him up.”

She chuckled, “Me neither. I wish I’d gotten to hit him.”

“But this way you get to be the good guy.” I commented.

She leaned over and I felt her breath against my ear, “Well then, how should I punish you.”

I couldn’t help the shiver that ran down my spine. From the tone of her voice, I was going to like this punishment.