The Mark of Betrayal (by Cooper) novel Chapter 32

Samara

When the pack realized who I was, they all wanted to see me, tell me how sorry they were for the loss of my family, let me know how happy they are that their Alpha found me, and that I wasn’t alone any longer.

“She wasn’t alone. This pack is indebted to Alpha William, the Alpha who took in Samara when she was nine-years-old. He gave her his name to protect her and he looked after her until I found her. Remember that name, everyone. If ever anyone from Alpha William’s pack comes seeking asylum, or if Alpha William himself arrives on our pack lands for any reason, they are to be granted access,” Roman had said.

He had turned to me. “I can never repay him for what he did for you and for me. But I will try.”

And somehow, I’d fallen even more in love with him.

He called his parents that day. His father had been resistant to returning, but Roman gave him a vague response about having finally found my parents’ killers.

“Who?” Alpha Sterling had growled.

“Come home and I will tell you. I assume you want to be a part of the attack.”

“You know I do. You mother and I will be there tomorrow.”

The rest of that day had been chaotic, with the pack feeling antsy because of the coming war, the planned return of Alpha Sterling and Luna Devi, and, I realized, the plan for me to officially take my place as Luna of this pack. While Roman hasn’t said anything about it, I thought maybe we’d complete our bond last night. However, when we fell into bed, we were both still exhausted from the emotional drain of the last couple of days and the energy that is pulsing from the pack. He had curled himself around me, and I'd snuggled against him before we both fell into a deep sleep.

This morning in warrior training, Roman came at me much harder than he has during the last couple of weeks.

“What is this about?” I ask, as he helps me up for the umpteenth time.

“I know you’re a white wolf now. I know you can take more power from me and I know you’ll learn faster if I stop coddling you.”

“You were coddling me?”

“I was being careful with you. I didn’t know then what I know now. Besides being a strong wolf and an inherently intelligent fighter, I know you will want to be in the battle with me against Sawyer.”

“You would be right about that. I refuse to stay here while you avenge my brother’s death. Besides, if Althea is there and just had a pup, she and the pups will need someone to protect them while the others are fighting, and I don’t trust anyone in that pack, Roman.”

He takes my face in his hands. “That pack is your brother’s pack, your family’s pack, Samara. You can trust them, at least the ones who were there before Sawyer betrayed them.”

“But he’s their Alpha...” I begin.

“ONLY because Althea accepted him as her mate. They’re following her as a white wolf, not him. They will follow you for the same reason. Look at our pack, Samara. From the moment you arrived, they started falling in love with you.”

I smirk at my mate. “Does that mean if I wanted to, I could take this pack from you?”

“I have no doubt that you could, Samara,” he says seriously, making the smirk drop off my face. “Although, based on you never taking over Alpha William’s pack, I doubt you would. However, if you ever feel that I am not worthy of being your mate, not worthy of leading this pack, I hope that you will.”

I stare at him in stunned silence. He strokes his thumbs over my cheeks.

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