by Reese Morgan
Hayden ignored the two as they began arguing. Over their heads, she examined the door Cole had disappeared through not too long ago. He was contacting his company to inform them of his absence, and afterward, he would try to reach the other Alphas to confirm their location.
Consequently, he wasn’t present to watch over Hayden and reprimand her if she lingered over to the other side of the patio.
Addie already bridged the gap between the two packs, speaking with another female about the destruction of the pack house. Hayden didn’t need to hear the conversation to know how disheartened she was about the lost home. The whole pack was devastated over the loss, but they were trying their hardest to remain positive and refrain from mentioning it.
Cole reassured them they would rebuild. Hayden couldn’t share his optimism. While they were safe for now, she had a sinking suspicion that things would only get worse before they could get better. Nicolas wouldn’t chase them out of town only to allow them to crawl back to Albertville to rebuild.
He had something bigger in store.
“Now would be the time to go.”
Hayden craned her neck backward in order to glance at Nathan, who was sitting behind her. “I know what I’m doing. I don’t need you to order me around.” She looked forward again, intentionally relaxing for another few minutes.
When she was sure Nathan understood just who was in charge, Hayden stood gracefully from her lounge chair. As she left her pack behind, she could have sworn Nathan scoffed at her petty attempts at showing dominance. He was probably just frustrated that she continuously showed him his place.
The closer she approached Celeste, the more stares she received from the other females. They watched her with open curiosity, though some scrutinized her with an air of condescending skepticism. Hayden kept her gait slow and languid with a hint of arrogance. Instead of acknowledging the attention she was garnering, she kept her eyes on Celeste alone.
The redheaded Alpha was sitting at a table next to a dark-haired female. Judging from the other woman’s authoritative posture, Hayden assumed she was Celeste’s beta. Said beta turned to watch Hayden’s approach through narrow and distrustful eyes.
With only one hand gesture from Celeste, the dark-haired beta complied and attempted to clear her face of any hostility. She didn’t succeed.
“Hayden,” Celeste greeted pleasantly. She leaned back in her chair as Hayden came to a stop in front of her. “I’m surprised to see Cole hasn’t scared you away from us.”
Hayden tried not to reveal just how much truth that speculation held. “He tried,” she jested. “I just thought we didn’t get off to a good start. By the time we got to the cabin—”
“There is no need to explain, I understand. It must have been a tiring ordeal and you were eager to reunite with your pack.” Celeste graciously saved Hayden from any ineloquent excuses she may have stumbled her way through. “Please, sit.”
Meeting Celeste’s pale eyes weren’t any easier after the initial meeting, Hayden realized. Nicolas had the same effect on Hayden, and Cole too, when he harnessed his Alpha authority to intimidate her. There weren’t many Alphas who had such presence.
Hayden sat on the offered chair and carefully met Celeste’s scrutiny.
A pleased smile curled Celeste’s lips as Hayden fearlessly maintained eye contact. “Hayden, I would like you to meet Sophia, my beta.”
Sophia noticeably came from a mixed heritage. Her skin was soft mocha and her dark curls were tied to the nape of her neck for simplicity. Deep, brown eyes watched Hayden closely, as if waiting for any sudden movements that would initiate an attack. She had a fighter’s physique, but unlike Hayden’s long-limbed stature, she was short and stocky.
She would have been relatively pretty if it wasn’t for the permanent scowl on her face.
Hayden smiled past her initial dislike. “It’s nice to meet you.”
When silence came from the other female, Celeste leaned forward. “Sophia, why don’t you help Addie and Lisa with dinner if you cannot be polite?”
Sophia hardly seemed fazed at the instruction and only offered Hayden a glower before leaving the table. Hayden watched her go, marveling at the open hostility. Would it even be possible to convince Celeste to fight with them when she had pack members that clearly disapproved of their very existence?
“Don’t mind her; she is only territorial over her position as beta.” Celeste reclaimed Hayden’s attention. “She worked hard to get where she is. Many of the pack members strive for the position of second-in-command.”
“You don’t name your own beta?” Hayden asked curiously.
She knew Nathan could always challenge Blake for the position as beta, but everyone knew Blake had the upper hand when it came to physical strength. Besides, Cole always seemed to support Blake for his second, though he often threatened to revoke his position if he ever slipped up.
“Oh no.” Celeste appeared amused. “That is one thing I don’t meddle in. I trust all my pack members and I have enough confidence in all of them. Any of the girls would make a capable beta. It’s up to them to agree on who that will be.”
“It has nothing to do with dominance?” Quite frankly, it sounded like a democracy.
Celeste straightened from her lounged position. “It has everything to do with dominance and abilities. When I said I let them agree on who will be beta, I meant they deal with it on their own terms.”
With her clarification, Hayden wondered what those ‘terms’ entitled.
“How are you enjoying the cabin, Hayden?” Celeste inquired. She placed her chin upon her hand and surveyed Hayden closely. “After all these years, it still hasn’t lost its splendor. But maybe I’m just biased.”
When Hayden had imagined speaking to Celeste, she had been prepared to carry the conversation and control its direction. Instead, it appeared as if she was at the mercy of Celeste.
“I think it’s really peaceful,” she responded truthfully. “You’ve been here before?” It was a pathetic attempt to turn the conversation in her favor. She wanted to ask questions, not answer them.
Green eyes sharpened before they narrowed humorously. Apparently, Celeste knew all too well that Hayden was trying to switch roles in the conversation. “I was here many times before, with Logan.”
“Cole and the others mentioned Logan last night. He helped build the cabin with Xavier Slayter, didn’t he?” Hayden was curious how Logan was tied in with Celeste and Cole’s family.
“He was more help with finances as opposed to the manual labor. He was never a really hands-on man like Xavier.” Celeste smiled sadly. “Logan was my husband, my mate. I lost him two years ago to the Hunters, around the time Xavier and Marie passed away.”
The revelation surprised Hayden. Because of Blake’s insistence that Celeste despised men, Hayden had originally believed she’d never been mated before. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, recovering quickly.
“It was a hard year. I was good friends with Marie and Xavier as well.” Celeste’s tone was gloomy, yet she remained serene and regal. “I would never claim Logan’s death was a fortunate tragedy, but after he passed away, I was able to find my self-identity. I was no longer the female Alpha to his pack, but I was my own Alpha.”
Hayden watched, entrapped with both her story and her compelling tone.
“Many men are intimidated by my pack,” Celeste continued, never moving an inch and never letting her eyes waver from Hayden’s face. “They don’t know what to think of an all-female pack, especially an all-female pack that can fight and fend for themselves. They say we despise males and are too haughty for our own good.”
“And you don’t?” Hayden pressed. “Despise men?”
Celeste smiled briefly. “I see your pack has already gotten to you.”
“I don’t always agree with my pack,” she insisted. “I’m just curious.”
Celeste’s red hair was piled neatly on top her head, exposing her swan-like neck. As she tipped back
her head to laugh, the length of her neck was only accentuated. “I admire that about you. No matter how overwhelming it may be in a male-dominated pack, you are still able to keep your footing.” Red lashes lowered as she assessed Hayden. “I don’t hate men, no, but I cannot say the same about the women in my pack.”
With a sweeping look around at her pack, Celeste leaned closer to Hayden, lowering her voice. “I took in many females who were mistreated by men. I taught them how to fight and fend for themselves. I gave them a purpose in life, something they had never been given before. Their mistreatment naturally gives them reason to despise males.” She paused. “Of course, I’m not naïve enough to believe all men are created equal. There are many males I respect and adhere to, and I expect my pack to look past their discrimination and give respect to where it’s due.”
Cole said Celeste would try to manipulate Hayden. If this was her attempt at manipulation, Hayden would readily admit that it was working. She respected Celeste. She was impressed with her fearlessness to step outside the general mold and make a difference for those who were susceptible to mistreatment.
What Celeste was trying to achieve by manipulating Hayden, she didn’t know. If it was true, and Celeste had her own agenda, it would probably be with the aim of enticing Hayden enough to join her pack.
But Cole had nothing to worry about. If Hayden didn’t have such a remarkable pack, the idea of joining Celeste would be extremely tempting. However, the very thought of leaving everyone behind was not even an option.
“It’s very admirable of you,” Hayden acknowledged honestly. “I think that more people could benefit from knowing about your pack.”
Briefly, she thought of Rachel and how the other woman would have quickly taken advantage of Celeste’s pack had she known about it. Unfortunately, the ones that did know about Celeste were judgmental about its origins and refused to pass the word on to others.
“Having more people aware of my pack would be beneficial, but I plan to expand eventually.” Celeste appeared livelier at the mention of her future plans. “I’d like to have other branches with a few betas running their own packs. Our main goal would be to train women and reverse the gender roles that have been forced upon them. After the training, they would be free to leave and rejoin the pack they came from.”
Hayden nodded, remembering when Rachel described how the females were groomed after century-old traditions of being compliant to the males. “It would give them more confidence, more of an equal footing. They wouldn’t be so vulnerable.”
It sounded ingenious, really. Females would have the option of taking on a more active role within the pack.
Without warning, Celeste’s expression turned grim, and just as quickly, a shadow loomed over Hayden. A hand curled around the back of Hayden’s chair and calloused fingers brushed against her shoulder possessively.
“Cole,” Celeste greeted carefully. She met his eyes boldly, appearing quite capable. “I was just getting to know Hayden better. You are lucky to have such promising potential in your pack.”
“I know.” Cole barely spared Celeste much notice before nudging Hayden. “I got in contact with Adolf. We will be leaving here tomorrow afternoon and meeting him near the border of Montana.”
Hayden was forced off her chair and she flashed Celeste a fleeting smile. Trust Cole to come barging over, banging his fists against his chest after Celeste and Hayden just finished discussing a female’s place in the pack.
“Before you go,” Celeste started, standing and looking at Hayden expectantly. “I’m curious to know if you’ve ever bowhunted.”
“No.” She pulled away from Cole’s domineering hold. “But it’s something I would be interested in learning.”
“Tomorrow morning, then.” Celeste moved around the table and stood next to Cole, only an inch or two shorter than he was. “There is enough game in these woods for target practice. You’ll be an expert before you leave.”
Both Cole and Celeste watched Hayden expectantly, the former disapprovingly and the latter keenly. Cole wouldn’t want her to accept the invitation, but surprisingly enough, he remained silent. She half-expected him to forbid her from going in order to assert his authority.
So, she quickly consented before he changed his mind. “I’d like that.”
Before she could properly get the words out, Cole led her away by the shoulder. His lips were pressed into a thin line, a clear indication he was upset over the situation. She’d experienced his disapproval enough not to be intimidated, but this time, she could feel the negative vibes through their link.
“You have nothing to be upset over,” Hayden reassured equably.
“Well?” Nathan stood from his chair as soon as they were within proximity. “Did you broach the subject of her allegiance?”
Her mind went blank and her expression must have conveyed as much.
Nathan’s face fell and he appeared genuinely disappointed. “You didn’t even mention it,” he assumed, correctly. “I should have expected as much. Sending an impressionable little girl into the hands of an extreme feminist would undoubtedly lead to nothing worthwhile.”
Blake sat up, flashing Nathan a repulsed look. “Lay off her, Nate.” It was rare Blake ever lost his good humor, but there was nothing approachable about his current countenance.
Nathan’s words were harsh, but Hayden forced herself to endure them. He was right. They were all right. Hayden had gone into the conversation, prepared to address Celeste’s support against the rogues. Instead, it had completely slipped her mind.
Had that been Celeste’s intentions all along? Had she known Hayden intended to ask for her help and distracted her with tales of female heroism? Were the things she claimed even true? They had to be. Why would she lie about something like that?
She sat on the chair, feeling the inquisitive stares from her pack members. They had predicted this would happen. Even though most of them didn’t voice their concerns, they had believed Celeste would get the better of her. And Hayden felt mortified that they’d been right.
“She’s going out with Celeste in the morning. I’m sure she will address the topic at that time.” Unexpectedly, it was Cole who covered for her. He stood over Hayden, appearing neutral, but his stance was protective. “It’s better if Hayden gradually introduces a proposition of an alliance, as opposed to springing it on Celeste.”
Hayden gazed at him with disbelief. He’d been the most vocal about the dangers of courting Celeste, yet there he stood, defending her. It would have been justified if he rubbed her failure in her face and delivered the famed ‘I told you so’ line.
But he stood there, a solid wall of defense between her and the pack.
She pressed her fingers against the crown of her forehead and smiled sadly. He could be an overbearing Alpha at times, but it was times like these that she was reminded of his genuine aspiration to protect her.
“I won’t fail,” Hayden vowed, knowing only Cole would detect the appreciation in her tone regarding his actions.
He inclined his head. Whether he truly believed she could do it or not, it didn’t matter. What mattered was she had a true confidante in Cole.
15. Chapter Fifteen
“But why?”
Addie tried to smile at Hayden’s insistent questioning, but it came out strained. “It just doesn’t appeal to me, that’s all. I think many of the females would agree with me.”
Hayden found herself biting her nails and watching Addie bustle around the kitchen. Unsettled with the discussion she shared with Celeste, Hayden had wanted to talk to someone regarding the topic of an all-female pack and the other things Celeste had mentioned. She hadn’t wanted to talk to any of the males, so she had approached Addie. She needed to confirm that she wasn’t the only one who thought Celeste had notable ideas.
Unfortunately, Addie didn’t think they were that great.
“I still don’t understand,” Hayden persisted. “I think training the females and sending them back to their
packs, with the knowledge of how to defend themselves, would be a step in the right direction.”
Addie set down the pot of uncooked roast and began chopping potatoes. “And what direction would that be?” she asked mildly.
“Females would have more of an equal footing with men.” Hayden tapped the distressed countertop her nails, unable to believe Addie wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with her. “They would be able to obtain ranking in the pack if they wanted to. They wouldn’t be forced into obedience.”
“There are so few Alphas.” The woman’s blue eyes finally looked up from the sliced potatoes. “And when I mean Alphas, I mean female Alphas. These female Alphas are a whole different breed from the rest of us.”
Hayden’s face soured and Addie chuckled.
“I don’t mean it as an insult.” She was quick to backtrack. “I just mean they have different interests. Most females are not concerned with learning how to fight. Contrary to what you’ve heard, they are quite comfortable where they are and what they are expected to do.”
Hayden couldn’t quite grasp what Addie was implying. “But you don’t have a choice. Since the beginning, the males expected the females to cook, clean, bear children—”
“No.” Addie’s face was stern. “I’ve had a choice. We all have a choice. If we wanted to learn how to fight, there are many men who would be willing to teach us. But I enjoy cooking and cleaning. I enjoyed raising a family. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.”
Addie proceeded to occupy herself with adding the carrots and potatoes to the roast before beginning to season it. Hayden watched her, trying to come to terms with such a different perspective.
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, Hayden,” Addie said smoothly. “I admire you for your strength. You make a very impressive Alpha and I feel comfortable with you leading the pack with Cole. But just as I don’t expect you to adhere to my ways, I wouldn’t want you to expect me to adhere to your ways.”
Straightening from her slouched position, Hayden frowned as the words registered. Could it really be true? Could there be females who just didn’t want to step out from the shadows? Hayden had assumed, from the women she’d talked with, that females were forced into meek and submissive roles.