Mate (Bride, #2)

by Ali Hazelwood

“Under Were custom, I cannot keep this from Lowe. He’s your Alpha.” “Is he, though? I didn’t, like, go to the DMV to sign paperwork—” “To the what, now?” “—and I didn’t take a blood oath. You said it yourself, that I have no pack—” “You are not an official member of any pack. You are, however, affiliated with the Southwest. The alternative is for Were society to deal with you as a rogue Were, and you do not want that.” “I don’t understand, why does it matter—” “Correct. You don’t understand. Were packs are not chummy extended families, killer. To safely set foot in a pack’s territory, you’ll need to be affiliated with that pack or with their allies.” “And if I’m not?” He gives me a flat look that— Okay. Got that loud and clear. “Can I change? If I were affiliated with the Northwest, then it would be okay for Lowe not to know, right?” “That would make me your Alpha.” “Would you mind that?” He stares like I’m trying to sell him a pouch of magic beans. “To be clear, I know that I’m being played. I’m just allowing it because I love the idea of telling you what to do that much.” I cannot help my smile. “Very well. Deal. Now that I’m officially a Northwesterner—” “Not a name we go by.” “—in the name of Alpha-member confidentiality—” “Which doesn’t exist.” “—I ask you to please not tell Misery that I’m…I don’t know, regressing to my Human self? She already has plenty to be nervous about.” I chew on my lower lip for a moment. “Will you take me in, then? It’ll ease the pressure off...