Sure enough, April was on the stage with a microphone. Two other women Asia didn’t recognize stood with her.“April, you’ve always been a wild one. I dare you to mate with the first wolf that catches you. By the tradition of the mating hunt, I declare a hunt for you. Now which males will take on this female permanently as theirs? April, will you accept the hunt for you?”“Crap Victoria, that’s not fair. I look like a coward if I say no. So, fine, but I think you are disappointed when no one declares their intentions.” April wasn’t in her diplomatic persona, which was odd enough, but she usually wasn’t crude like that either. Asia wasn’t sure what to make out of this.“Anyone was to take on a lifelong challenge?” Victoria waved her hand dramatically at the crowd of mostly male attendees.One male stood up and finally three stood, but when the first two saw a smartly dressed wolf at the back stand up, they promptly sat.“That Gerald, we’ll at least he’s aged well.”“I, Gerald Holt Alpha

April didn’t know what she was going to do. She wanted a man. No, she needed one desperately, but every male she could think of did nothing for her. Mind you, she was avoiding thinking of the darkly handsome Gerald. Gods, what changed her like that? Her phone went off with a message. “This came into my inbox. You must watch it. Asia.” April clicked on a video file and watched herself be humiliated. He’d given chase. What happened? Why didn’t she remember? Oh, she remembered Victoria or. Vicky as she insisted everyone call her. She was trying to match make everyone because she’d just mated herself to a west coast alpha. She’d annoyed April to no end with her fake southern accent and syrupy sweet fake manners. They’d argued that night. April now remembered that. Vicky insisted April needed a mate sooner rather than later. Three wolves stood, but Gerald, as intimidating as ever, made the others back off with his mere presence. But there he was, chasing after he

It distracted Gerald throughout most of the meeting. Thank the gods he only had to observe and take up a seat. He didn’t think he could have contributed if he had to. His mind was on the sweet little mate of his.He didn’t like the idea that she didn’t remember what happened. Gerald didn’t think he’d hurt her or harmed her in any way. In fact, every sign she gave was that their encounter, though in wolf form, was what she wanted.She’d moved her tail aside after the prerequisite mating chase and he’d played with her to get her comfortable to his overtures. When he mounted her glorious beast, she’d been more than ready. She needed the relief mating would give her.Now he wondered what it would be like to take her human form. Would she be as willing? He’d knotted inside her. It took hours to find his relief and been able to leave her hot core.As wolves that ensured a mating ending in pregnancy. It was one way the mate ensured they had pups. Gerald had to catch the grin of pure joy on h

“What do you mean, he’ll be here in an hour? Gerald will be here, are you sure?” April thought she’d have a few days, but not today. What would she say? What could she say? “Would you please breathe? It’s not that bad. He’ll come and meet you. Then you can talk to him face-to-face and get some answers.” Asia tried to reason with April, but it wasn’t working. She was in one of her rare panics. “Answers, yeah, he’s got a lot to answer, for that’s for sure. Why did you let him come here? He’s done some sketchy things. I don’t think I like his idea of courtship.” “April, he was highly traditional. I agree it’s outdated and barbaric. But the problem is where and when it happened. If I fight him on this, we could have issues with inter-pack politics. Then we have two alpha families in one pack in a few years. I hate this as much as you do. You know exactly what you’d advise me to do if anyone else was in this situation.” Asia struggled with this. She felt like she was

April watched the vehicle pull up to the front of the packhouse and she recognized Gerald exiting the vehicle. Her belly did a somersault, and she wasn’t sure if the queasiness she felt was for the man she just saw, her nerves, or her pregnancy. April was hiding on the upper floor of the packhouse, and Asia just left to greet Gerald. She wanted to have a talk with him before April saw him. April knew she could get behind that. Now, if only Asia could keep him talking forever, then April would be ecstatic. What did she feel she’d lose to him? Freedom? Her identity? Her independence? The life she’d built for herself on her own merit. All other the above? She’d watched strong women go from being their own person to being Mrs. so and so. Losing their very name. Would she be able to do as she liked? Or they would expect her to drop everything and fulfil other peoples’ expectations? Would they hold her to traditions and values that she didn’t hold? These were all questions April feare