Page 2 of The Alpha's Daughter
Chapter Two
GUNNAR
It felt strange to be back on Bravemaw pack lands after so many years. While the time had been kind to the small town, there were still a few differences from when I was a kid. Businesses changed, and landscaping evolved. But the town square with its large field and wooden stage was still bustling with just as much activity as it had been on my final day. I tried to remember the last time I had stood looking up at the podium before my family had been cast from the pack, doomed to live short lives as lone wolves or find a new pack in an unfriendly region. I had been twelve — that was half my lifetime ago.
“Hey Alpha, I checked us in and let the event registrar know we arrived,” Declan, my Beta, strode up next to me and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You sure you want to do this?”
I looked in his direction and knit my brows together. This might have been the craziest thing I had ever done in my life, trying to come back here to a place I had been banished and act as though nothing was wrong. I had only recently taken over as Alpha of the pack, and I was intent on gathering as much intel as I could on the other packs. If we could come to an understanding, great. If not, I wanted to accumulate as much knowledge about them and their traditions as I could.
“Yeah,” I squinted my eyes against the midwestern sun and looked around at the few members of my pack that had wanted to take part in the Moonmate Ceremony. I stayed on alert, not entirely sure how well we would be received. No matter what, I would keep my pack safe. Of that, I was certain. “What time is it?”
Declan glanced at his phone. “Just after five. Should be starting soon, I guess.”
“Make sure the teams are on standby and ready to make a quick exit if needed.” He nodded and stepped away, phone already pressed against his ear. I whipped my head back around toward the stage when the Whiteclaw Alpha began making the welcome and introductions, but I heard none of it. Instead, I found myself unable to rip my eyes away from the pretty young wolf standing there alongside him.
I blinked my eyes hard to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. That was Lou; I was sure of it. When planning this trip I had absently wondered if I would see my childhood friend again but damn… she had grown up. My mouth went dry and I couldn’t stop staring. Even though she was partially hidden toward the back of the stage, I could tell she was exactly my type of woman. Her short blonde hair fell in beachy waves just below her chin. Her curvy body had my heart racing and without realizing it I had put my hand up to my chest as though I could force it to stop.
She was looking for someone. At least, that’s what I thought she was doing. I clenched my jaw as I saw her scan the crowd, willing her to look over in my direction. That’s right, Beautiful… just a little bit more to the—
“Earth to Gunnar,” Declan snapped his finger in my face and I growled, still refusing to look away. He swung his head back and forth between me and the stage, probably wondering what it was that had me so twisted up before clearing his throat. If he only knew. I rolled my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Everything is set?” I ground out, ignoring his question.
“Uh… yeah. Yes,” he hesitated and now had my full attention.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well uh, it’s just your mother. After I talked to Echo squad she called and wanted me to pass along a message.”
I sighed. Of course, she did. “Alright, let’s have it.”
“She said to tell you it wouldn’t kill you to find a mate of your own while you were here.” He stuck his tongue out and did a little jog in place.
I snorted, "No she fucking didn't."
"Actually, she did," he cleared his throat. "I told her that it's none of my business where you bury your dick, but I wouldn't be surprised if you brought home a little blonde surprise." Cheeky bastard. Maybe he did know what had me distracted. I half-assed a swing in his direction, but he chuckled and stepped back just out of my reach. I couldn’t help looking back at the blonde woman in the red dress. Maybe, for once, my mother was right.
