Chapter 16

It’s my last day of patrol. I can’t wait to see my Gypsy. I finish shading in the drawing that is going to be my next tattoo: Gypsy’s wolf surrounded by gypsy roses. I need to see her wolf again to make sure I have the fur right. I know the eyes are perfect. I’m always staring into them.

My alarm buzzes, and I leave my room in search of my mother. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about Trixie yet, and it’s been bothering me. I could just tap in to my mind link, but I like having the privacy. Ignoring everyone and everything became a habit, but if I’m going to be running this pack, I should really step it up. I run my fingers through my hair and let out a deep breath. Here goes nothing. Father? Is Mother around you?

I feel his shock through the link. Yes. We’re in the kitchen having lunch.

I pass several pack members that respectfully clear out of my way. A few acknowledge me with a simple nod or a greeting of “Beta.”

I sit down across the table from my mother. Trixie is in the seat beside mine. Her ass kissing really pisses me off. I nod my head to greet my parents then turn to the bitch. “Trixie,” I growl out in warning. She looks to my mother for some sort of twisted backup.

“Ashton, that’s no way to behave to a lady.” My mother actually sticks up for her.

“How right you are, mother. However, you’re the only lady at this table.” I turn my head and glare at Trixie. “Get lost.” Trixie huffs but leaves the table.

“That was very rude, Ashton,” my mother admonishes me.

I shake my head. “Mother, I have no respect for that entitled brat. I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to force her on me. I will never make her my mate. She’s a two-faced liar, and I want nothing to do with her.”

“Your mother just wants to make sure you have a strong companion by your side. She’s just looking out for you. Trixie is a sweet girl. You used to be the best of friends.” My father sides with my mother.

“Yes, Father. We used to be friends, but those days are long gone. Trixie is not as sweet as she seems. I don’t trust her, and I never will. I understand that having a luna is important, but please let me find her on my own. You trust me to lead this pack when you step down—trust me to find my own luna. And Mother, please stop letting Trixie dupe you. You’re intelligent enough to see she wants nothing more than to be luna.” I can see that Mother wants to argue but that would look bad on her. I stand before she can respond. “I’m glad we had this talk. I need to get going; my patrol starts soon.”

Father stops me. “One moment, son. I have a few things to discuss with you.” He leads me away to his office that is soundproof and safe from eavesdroppers. I take my seat and wait for him to speak. “I will not push Trixie at you, but I am not going to lie and say I’m not concerned.” I give my father a nod, and he continues speaking. “You’ll need the respect of the pack when you do take over, so I would like you to reengage your link. It’s most important during patrol to be able to communicate with your partner.”

I understand, but I prefer to be left alone. “I'll work on it.” Father lifts his brow. I know my response is not what he wants to hear, but I’m not willing to give up my privacy just yet. I’ll open myself to him and Mother for now.

Father gives me a nod. “One last thing. That hunting lodge and the land south of our territory. I need you to mark it as our territory.”

My heart sinks to my stomach and I swallow down the discomfort. “Sir?”

Father gives me a patronizing glare. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m referring to. I know you’ve been hiding away there for years.”

“I had no idea that it was a hunting lodge,” I tell my father.

“Yes. The old man, Horace, used to hunt wolves—that’s why it was declared off limits in the days of my father. Horace had dementia; it’s an illness that humans get. He just passed with no relatives to claim it. I bought it this morning. Instead of stopping at the river, our territory now goes all the way to the canyon ridge.”

Oh shit. How am I going to be with Gypsy now? I love having her sleep in my arms. Now she’ll have to sleep in her own room. I have to stop her from leaving the cave. She never has been in our territory, but I’m not about to put her in danger. Even when she pulled me from the river, she still hadn’t crossed the line. I know she thinks she did. I’ll have to explain everything when I see her.

I look to the clock on the wall. “It’s almost time for my shift, Father.”

He shakes his head. “I’ll have someone fill in. We need our territory marked.”

I give my father a nod then step out of his office. I grab a quick sandwich and rush out of the pack house. Marking the territory takes about half of my designated patrol. I join up with the two on guard and perform my duties at the northern edge of our territory.

Everything is quiet, like always. We haven’t had trouble since the rogue attack nine months ago. The south side of our territory is protected by the canyon wall, so the majority of our patrol is to the three remaining borders. One wolf can guard the whole southern side, but we have two. We work in teams, always.

After another boring shift, my replacement greets me, and I sprint to the other side of the territory, to the cave, and most importantly, to my Gypsy. I’m a little early, so I do my normal checks to make sure we’re going to be alone when she gets here. No one can know about her.

I cross the river then slow down. I hear giggling coming from the cottage. Not even a day and already my sanctuary is displaced. I recognize the scent before I get to the cottage.

Trixie is at the door with wet hair and covered in a towel. I growl to get her attention. She spins on me. “Oh, Ashton. I just went for a swim. Luna Madeline told me about the new territory. It’s so exciting. I remembered this old place, so I thought I’d check it out.”

Damn. I was hoping for more time. I step in front of the door and cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t want you anywhere near this place.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “It’s not like you own it, Ashton.”

I growl at her, but she still manages to reach around me to open the door. Gypsy’s scent wafts into my nose, and I just know Trixie can smell her too.