The Dancer (Dark Side of the Moon #1)

Chapter Six

Elias

Quinn allowed me to bring her back to my pack compound after a lot of begging, knowing I wouldn’t leave without her. But she wouldn’t stay in my home. I understand her reluctance to be alone with me. Alphas aren’t exactly known for having restraint, especially regarding their mates. Or any omega for the most part.

But my wolf is less understanding of the situation. I spent the entire evening pacing my home office and holding onto the little control I had. My wolf constantly pushing to break through and hunt down our mate. The need to simply be near her is riding both of us hard.

Logically, I know she is perfectly safe staying with David and Linda. They are an older mated couple and have been part of the pack for almost fifteen years. They will take care of her and make her feel welcome. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to break down their door and cart her back to my home and my bed.

I can’t get the image of her out of my mind. Lying on the couch in that back room, exposed and on display for my pleasure. I swear I can still smell her arousal, but I know it is all in my mind.

That doesn’t stop my cock from responding, though. I have had myself in hand more times than I can count in the past six hours but still, my hard-on remains. I don’t think it will subside until I have my mate beneath me, taking my knot.

There is a knock at my office door before Maddox enters.

“You look like battered shit,” my brother points out.

“I will kick your ass if you start your crap with me today. I am barely hanging on as it is.”

“I come in peace,” he says, his hands lifted in surrender. “Last night was a little tense, and I just wanted to check in.”

“A little tense?” I chuckle darkly. “Brother, last night was unhinged.”

He nods before taking a seat in front of my desk. It takes me a moment to get my body to cooperate, restless energy thrumming through my veins, but I sit behind my desk.

“The pack has been talking about the new female,” Maddox says softly.

A red tinge falls over my vision, and I grip the edge of my desk harshly enough that a loud crack sounds in my office. It takes several moments for me to be calm enough to talk to my brother.

“And what are they saying?”

Maddox carefully observes me before speaking. “Not much. It’s more out of curiosity. They wonder who she is, where she is from, and why she is here now?”

I nod, not saying a word. Of course, all my pack members would be curious. We haven’t had an outsider join our pack in over a year. And now, a mysterious woman appears in the middle of the night.

“Call a gathering. In an hour, all the council members must be present,” I demand.

“Do you think that is wise?” Maddox asks with a raised brow. “The female hasn’t accepted you as her mate.”

I glare at my brother. “What is your point?”

“I am just thinking that waiting until your mating is finalized may be a good idea. We don’t want anyone using her against you to try to get the upper hand.”

Tilting my head, I study him. He is hiding something from me.

“Who?”

“I didn’t…”

I cut him off with a snarl, my beast much closer to the edge than either one of us thinks.

“Tell me!”

“Daryl. He has been trying to make waves for a while.”

A chuckle falls from my lips. “Let him talk. He isn’t worth my time. And if it weren’t for the respect I have for his father, I would have killed him ages ago.”

“Elias,” my brother says and sighs. “You need to be careful.”

“No. I need you to leave me the fuck alone.”

With those words, I effectively dismiss my brother, no longer interested in hearing his warnings. I want to plan how to woo and win my mate—not listen to his paranoia.

****

I make the council wait for me. Yes, I called the meeting, but I won’t have them place demands on me. Everyone wants to know about the new female, and I will gladly supply the answers when I am ready.

Already, they are forcing my hand.

When I enter the great hall, a space my great-grandfather hand-built almost a hundred years ago, I see all twelve council members seated at a round wooden table, patiently awaiting my arrival.

“Finally,” Daryl says when he sees me approach. “You know the rest of us also have lives and things to get to?

“Don’t push it,” Waylon says from behind me. “Your Alpha may take offense at your shitty attitude.”

Daryl’s gaze jumps from me to Waylon before looking away. Coward . This behavior is precisely why I’m not worried about the lesser Alpha. He may be a member of the pack council, a position he didn’t earn but was handed down by his father, but he is worthless. Born an Alpha, he believes he deserves to have everything handed to him, especially the role of pack leader, but he is not a leader. He’s barely a man.

After I took leadership, he fully expected to be named my beta, but I couldn’t trust him and decided to promote Waylon instead.

He made a big scene, throwing a tantrum like a child, but I wouldn’t be swayed from my decision. I know there has been talk about him wanting to take the pack from me, but he can kiss my ass. If he wants to take this pack from me, he can challenge me outright and fight for it like a man. Something I know will never happen.

Waylon stands beside me as I face the council, my beta never far from my side.

“I won’t waste any more of your precious time,” I say, poking at Daryl and watching a muscle in his jaw tick in irritation. “Everyone is curious about the newcomer. As the pack Alpha, I don’t feel compelled to share information, but my brother has pointed out that I must keep my pack informed. That said, here is the information I am willing to share. Her name is Quinn, and she is my mate.”

“Your mate?” one of the female pack members cuts me off.

“Yes. She is my mate.”

“And why is your mate not living in your home?” Daryl interjects.

I feel the bones in my face shift and realign as my wolf rushes to the forefront, wanting to rip this pathetic little man to shreds. A hand on my shoulder is all that is holding me back, my teeth snapping in Daryl’s face and spittle landing on his shirt. After several deep breaths my animal recedes and I finally feel like I have enough control to reply. Fear pours out of the other male in waves as the rest of the council stare in shock.

“That isn’t your concern. But I do suggest you make it clear to every male that I will rip them limb from limb if they go near her.”