Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games

"Understood. She's going to be thrilled with the idea, but I understand."

"Out of respect, we should run it by the council too, Kyle," Cole suggested

Kyle cringed. "I already did. They voted unanimously 'yes.' You weren't invited because of a conflict of interest."

Cole frowned. "Will I be asked to step down from the council?"

"No. We all agreed there's benefit to having one of my betas in a more administrative role and part of the council."

He smiled, like he was relieved to hear it.

"Okay, well, any questions or concerns?" Kyle asked.

"No," I said, "and thanks for the offer, Kyle. I really appreciate it. I'll give you my answer after I discuss it with Elise."

"The pack meeting is Sunday, but the pack run is tomorrow. Do you think you could have an answer by then?" Cole asked me before addressing Kyle. "I think it may be best to introduce him fully and make both announcements then before the run."

"That's a good idea, Cole. What do you think, Patrick?"

look it. I think we could have a decision by then. I'll let you

have you all whipped. Just glad it's not me. I'll be happy if I never

we'll be there to remind you

"Never going to happen."

for the kitchen to tell Mary I'd have to

Chapter 196

on, here," she said, shoving a pair of pot holders at me. I quickly removed the cookies from the oven. "Wonderful." She linked her arm through mine and led me to

how are things going

was the truth, and we were finding our

"Do you love her?"

anything back. "Very much," I

then smiled like she was satisfied with my answer. "Let me tell you a

his sons taking true mates. He and Ma had not been true mates, only compatible mates, but I was old enough to remember the change in him after her death. He never seemed to realize that had they been true mates and properly bonded, he never would have felt that pain, as he would have followed her into death peacefully. "My little girl must love you too," she continued. "Most shifters are so thrilled to find a true mate that the pull of the mating call is enough, but not our girl. She needs love, and lots of it. She could never

hasn't said it yet,"

her how you really

that she wouldn't or couldn't say it back, though I

ponder it thoughtfully. "She'll come around to saying it.

we were completely together. I felt like she gave herself to me. There were little things too, like how she snuggled into me on the couch watching TV, or the sly smiles she gave me when others were