The Mark of Betrayal (by Cooper) novel Chapter 19

Roman

Samantha’s kindness was unexpected but very welcome. I’m not used to others looking out for me like that. Yes, the pack takes care of each other, and yes, I know my warriors would lay down their lives for me. But at the end of the day, I’m the Alpha. It’s my job to protect the pack and set aside my feelings and emotions to look after and protect them. When we had gotten in the car, I'd felt raw from our conversation about Theo and his family. Rather than use that against me like I expected she would, Samantha had proven to me that she is all Alpha and beyond worthy of being my Luna. She’d engaged Eric in pleasant conversation, giving me time to collect myself.

I step out of the car, seeing the pack members already assembling. I’m not surprised. My pack would have heard about me being in a room with Samantha long before Sawyer did.

“What’s this?” Samantha asks as I walk around the car to stand beside her.

“The pack heard that I had an unknown, unmarked female in a private room alone in my restaurant. Since that’s not something that I’ve ever done, they’re curious and they’ve probably guessed your importance to me,” I say, seeing Austin, my Beta, walking up to me while everyone else stays back.

“Alpha, we weren’t expecting you home quite so soon,” he says, his eyes flickering from me to Samantha.

“Beta Austin, please meet my mate and your future Luna, Samantha,” I tell him.

“You found her,” he breathes. I know the whole pack was secretly hoping that I’d finally find my mate.

“Don’t get too excited, Austin. She’s not happy to be here,” I say, low enough that only he can hear me.

He frowns and looks at Samantha.

As if proving me wrong, she smiles that fucking brilliant smile and holds out her hand. “Hello Beta Austin. I’m Samantha Chapman.”

“Alpha William’s daughter?” he asks, frowning and looking at me. He knows Alpha William only has the one heir, a male who is twelve.

“Adopted daughter,” I clarify.

“Ahh. Well, welcome to our pack, Luna.”

I raise an eyebrow waiting for her to say that she’s not his Luna. She surprises me yet again by not saying anything. Since she doesn’t, I step behind her, putting my hands on her shoulders and facing my pack.

“Everyone, I have found my mate,” I say and the entire pack begins cheering. I feel Samantha tense under me and I rub my thumbs into her shoulders, letting the pack howl their excitement while I subtly relax my mate.

“Do you want to introduce yourself, Samantha, or do you want me to do it?” I ask quietly, leaning down to her ear.

“You can,” she says, turning her face so that our lips nearly touch.

I hold her gaze, daring her to pull away in front of our pack.

When she doesn’t, I smile. “Okay.”

I stand and refocus on the pack. “Please welcome Samantha Chapman to our pack.”

“Are you okay saying hello,” I ask her softly.

“Of course,” she says, pulling away from me.

Almost as one, the pack pushes forward, anxious to meet their new Luna. I growl softly, letting them know they shouldn’t crowd her. Once again, my mate surprises me by turning to me and growling softly, as if saying ‘Butt out, I’ve got this’. Then she turns back and begins charming my pack. I stand back, leaning against the SUV, crossing one ankle over the other and my arms across my chest as my mate weaves a magical spell over my pack. There’s no other way to describe it.

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