Alpha's Girl

Chapter Six

Declan's POV

After the Introduction Ceremony, Cole disappeared into the crowd. Owen had reminded me silently that we would have to stay behind to talk with any pack members who liked to stick around after these things. I had hoped that Cole would want to hang around as well, and get to know a few people, which in turn would save me from having to talk so much. Clearly he didn't feel like doing this anymore than I did, as he took off before I could even attempt to convince him.

"That boy Xavier and his friends have been racing in the woods when it rains! They're leaving mud trails! It is unacceptable for me and my husband. Our wolves, we are older, if we were to get stuck we could be hurt..."

"There's a strange smell coming from behind the pack school house. I think the children may be pulling pranks again when they do their business as wolves...it is unsanitary and disgusting!"

"That human from the town over has been calling asking about purchasing land on our side of the woods again..."

I couldn't help but allow my thoughts to trail. These types of conversations were not my strong suit. I glanced over at Owen. He was talking intently with Mary and her husband. I had sent them over to him after they complained about the mud in the forest because I couldn't keep a straight face. I kept thinking about how she might react if knew she was talking to the man who had been challenging Xavier to a race in the storm just a few days ago. When Owen met my gaze, his eyes narrowed in the slightest, making me want to laugh more. He knew he was in this position solely because of me, and he wasn't happy about it. I winked at him, knowing he had my back even if he wanted to kill me.

Time to tell them that these conversations will have to take place during another time, I mindlinked to him.

Be professional. You are their Beta, and they are looking to you for guidance. At least pretend to be interested. Owen snapped back at me with a slight attitude. I guessed that Mary had something to do with it. She was rambling about a puddle on the main road that had inconvenienced her yesterday.

Dude, tell her your an Alpha, not a weatherman! I mindlinked back. He responded by cutting the mindlink off and shifting his stance slightly away from me.

Of course I was interested in the pack. I just didn't favor talking to the members who liked to whine about everything. Before I could get cornered into another hour long conversation, I retreated into the shadow of a larger tree, leaving Owen in the spotlight. I mindlinked that I was going to take a quick bathroom break, which wasn't a lie, so that when he turned it back on he couldn't get pissed that I had snuck off.

Behind the shadow of the tree I relieved myself, enjoying the few minutes of peace and quiet I had alone before returning. The conversation was seeming to die down now that I had stepped back, making me hopeful that we would be on our way to Mel's in the next fifteen to twenty minutes. My stomach was growling. The thought of having a double burger was becoming too enticing for me to resist much longer.

Crunch. My reflexes were instantaneous to the noise behind me. At once I spinned around, but relaxed when I recognized the figure.

"Vanessa," I greeted her as she walked towards me. Still in her ceremony clothes, I couldn't help but allow myself to look her up and down. She was gorgeous. Quickly I stepped out from under the tree and walked towards her.

"Dec, hey, I thought I'd find you here!" She wrapped her arms around me in a brief embrace and stepped back. The moonlight shined brightly on her mixed complexion, and her dark eyes glistened as they met mine.