MATED TO THE ALPHA AND HIS BETA - Season 5 Episode 74

I’d spent much of my adult life in this house, and as much as I’d enjoyed living among the wonders of Brightsky, I had to admit that it felt good to be home. Really, really good to have my own space, a place for my belongings. Room to stretch out and breathe that did not include three other adults.

“You good?” Xander asked with a rap of his knuckles on the doorway to the small office I’d claimed as mine. “I’m taking my brother out and about to check out the packlands. Figure we’ll be gone for a few hours, then come back in time for the afternoon meetings. You sure you don’t want to come along with us?”

“Dude. No.” I laughed at his sour expression. “I want to sit on my ass and read a book with a glass of whiskey and a cigar, and I want to do it in this little room, and I want to do it all on my lonesome. I’ll be ready for the afternoon meetings by the time you get back. Right now, all I want is the sound of my own breathing.”

His lip curled, and he let out a growl, but it wasn’t a serious one. “That sounds fucking amazing. No lie.”

“I’m sure it will be. As soon as you get your ass out of here.” I grinned at him, enjoying the chance to rib him a little bit.

All of this felt good. The ability to take a break. To laugh. Yeah, we had a shit-ton of work ahead of us as the pack adjusted to all the changes we’d be bringing, but hard work was a lot different than running for our lives. In fact, I welcomed the hard work, since during the time we’d been in Brightsky I’d ended up feeling mostly like I didn’t have anything important to do.

Back here in Constantine, I had a good, solid place. Responsibilities. A job.

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And for now…I had a book, a cigar, and a glass of whiskey.

Well, at least I had the book, the cigar, and the glass. As it turned out, my decanter was empty. Considering I hadn’t been using my office for months or longer, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was annoyed. I could’ve rang for someone to bring me more, but I figured I could get to my relaxing much faster if I did it myself.

Not much had changed in the mansion while we were gone. New staff faces, but it wasn’t as hard to get around as it had been in Brightsky. I made my way to the storage room without a problem, grabbed a bottle of The Macallan from one of the shelves and took a long minute to admire it with a wide, satisfied grin.

“By the Moon,” I said out loud. “It’s really good to be home.”

“Oh… Sorry.” A soft female voice had me turn. “I didn’t realize you were in here.”

I didn’t recognize the young blonde woman standing in the doorway. “No problem. I was just grabbing a bottle of whiskey.”

“I came to get a bottle of…wine?” She sounded hesitant, then got a more confident look on her face and took a step closer. “If that’s okay. The woman in the kitchen said that the…uh…the Alpha was um…well, it’s a welcome gift? I’m new.”

“I’m Zane. The Constantine Beta.” I looked her over curiously. “I hadn’t heard anything about Xander offering newcomers access to the liquor storage. But welcome. What brought you to Constantine?”

“I heard it’s going to be a sanctuary for anyone without another place. So long as we abide by the rules and are useful and kind.” The girl lifted her chin. “My name is Elleah Whitehaven. I’m a rogue…but I’d like to be part of the pack.”

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“Welcome to Pack Constantine, Elleah.” I nodded, still studying her. I stepped aside. “What kind of wine were you looking for?”

“Oh. Red.”

I laughed. “Well, we have Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot…you name it, we probably have it. Orion really loved his alcohol.”

“I hadn’t thought much about it. What’s the best?” She paused, looking embarrassed. “I don’t mean the most expensive. Just, like…the best tasting.”

“You don’t drink much, huh?”

She shook her head and bit her lower lip. “Not really.”

I plucked a bottle of a red blend from one of the alcoves on the shelf and handed it to her. “This is a nice one. Fruity, not too sweet.”

“Thanks.” She hesitated. “It was really nice to meet you, sir. I look forward to being a part of the pack, and I promise to do my best to fit in.”

“Great to meet you, too, Elleah.” I watched her walk away down the hall.

Then I took my whiskey and returned to my office where I could enjoy my relaxation. I made a mental note to ask Xander what we were doing about new arrivals, since if we were going to be giving away free bottles of wine to anyone who showed up, his dad’s stash was going to dwindle fast. Maybe that could be one of my new duties, I thought with a grin. Official alcohol orderer.

I made myself laugh at the thought, and then settled in for a few hours of alone time.

Life was good.

I just hoped it stayed that way.