My Mate....The Alpha (new version)

19. Preston

The sun shone through the partly opened curtain making me blink and turn before burying my face against Ryker's chest making him wrap his arms around me.

"Morning," he whispered his voice husky and rough from sleep.

"No," I mumbled making him chuckle and I whined at the vibration of his chest against my ear, "sleep."

"Okay," he replied as he pressed a kiss to my forehead, "but just for a few more minutes, love."

I nodded and snuggled closer to him, before letting the darkness of his chest lull me back to sleep only to be woken up by Ryker lightly shaking me.

"Five more minutes," I grumbled but he shook me again and had the audacity to pull the covers off of me when I pulled it over my head to block the light of the sun from my face.

"Preston," he huffed, "we have a meeting with Alpha Dawson in half an hour."

I groaned and reluctantly opened my eyes, blinking against the sunlight that filtered into the room. Ryker was already up, his muscular frame outlined by the golden rays peeking through the window. He stood by the dresser, dressed in a simple white shirt and black jeans, a look of amusement on his ruggedly handsome face as he watched me struggle to wake up.

"Come on, sleepyhead," he said, his voice still rough with sleep but there was a hint of playfulness in it now. "We can't keep Alpha Dawson waiting.

"I grumbled in response, rubbing my eyes before finally sitting up on the bed. Ryker moved closer to me, his hand reaching out to gently tug on my arm, coaxing me to get up. I reluctantly complied, stretching my arms above my head as I yawned.

As I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up, Ryker remained in the bedroom, his eyes following my every move. I could feel his gaze on me, warm and affectionate, and it made my heart skip a beat. Despite the early hour and the impending meeting, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for having someone like Ryker by my side.

After quickly showering and getting dressed, I joined Ryker in the living room of our small cabin. The morning was crisp and fresh, the birds chirping outside and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees. Ryker had prepared a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, and I couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness.

We ate in comfortable silence, the only sounds the clinking of cutlery and the occasional sip of coffee. Ryker had a focused expression on his face, lost in thought as he planned out the day ahead. I watched him, admiration swelling in my chest for the strong, capable man sitting across from me.

After we finished breakfast, we made our way to Riverside Pack where we were meeting with the alpha to discuss a possible pack alliance with our pack. Riverside was already allied with Aunt Alaska and Uncle Tyson. We climbed into Ryker's car and drove down towards the pack house that was a good hour and a half away from MoonLit Oasis.

The sun was high in the sky now, casting a warm glow over the forest as we drove towards the boarder before Ryker parked the car and we walked through the forest towards the pack house. Ryker walked beside me, his hand brushing against mine every now and then, a silent reassurance of his presence.

As we approached the pack-house, we were greeted by Alpha Dawson and his Beta, a stern-looking man with a commanding presence. They led us inside, where a group of wolves were waiting to discuss pack matters.

****

The pack-house was a grand structure made of dark wood and stone, nestled among the tall trees of the forest. As we entered, the air was filled with the scent of pine and the sound of muted conversations. Alpha Dawson led us through the bustling corridors, his Beta following close behind.

We entered a spacious meeting room, where a large table dominated the center of the room. Around it sat several wolves, their eyes fixed on us as we approached. Alpha Dawson took his place at the head of the table, his Beta standing at his side.

"Welcome, friends," Alpha Dawson said, his voice deep and commanding. "I am pleased to see you have made the journey to visit us."

Ryker and I exchanged glances before taking our seats at the table. The wolves around us shifted in their seats, their eyes flickering with curiosity.

"We have much to discuss," Alpha Dawson continued, "but first, allow me to introduce my Beta, Marcus."

Marcus inclined his head in acknowledgement, his face impassive. He was a large, imposing wolf with a scar running along his cheek, a testament to his strength and prowess in battle.

As the meeting began, the wolves around the table discussed pack matters ranging from territory disputes to hunting strategies. Ryker and I listened intently, offering our opinions when asked. Alpha Dawson and Marcus led the discussion with authority, their words carrying weight among the gathered wolves.

After the formalities were concluded, Alpha Dawson turned to us with a smile. "Now, onto more personal matters. How is your pack faring, Ryker?"

Ryker leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We have faced some challenges," he admitted, "but we are strong and united. Our numbers have grown, and our territory is secure.

"Alpha Dawson nodded in approval. "Good to hear. Unity is key to the strength of a pack."

The conversation turned to lighter topics as we shared stories of our pack's victories and defeats. Laughter filled the room as we recounted humorous tales of hunting mishaps and rival pack tensions.

As the meeting drew to a close, Alpha Dawson stood and raised his glass in a toast. "To friendship and unity among packs," he declared.

The wolves around the table raised their own glasses, echoing the sentiment. Ryker and I joined them, the warmth of camaraderie filling our hearts.

As we bid farewell to Alpha Dawson and Marcus, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with these wolves. Despite our differences, we shared a common bond—our loyalty to our packs and our commitment to protecting our territories.

As we made our way back through the corridors of the pack-house, the sounds of laughter and conversation fading behind us, I knew that this visit had strengthened the ties between our packs. And as we stepped back out into the cool night air, I felt grateful for the friendships we had forged in the heart of the wolf pack community. Our journey home was filled with the echoes of laughter and the promise of future meetings with our newfound allies.