An Agreement - Halley's POV

An Agreement - Halley's POV

My wolf shifts slightly under the surface. Sam and Reed flank me, ensuring that I have back up should I need it. They all stand before me as one unified force, cold and unyielding.

I’m shocked to see them all standing here. Why would they come here? Surely, it isn’t out of peace. Marcus looks at me with a grim smile.

“We came for answers,” he says, keeping his voice low. “We want to know what the fate of the packs are. The council are spreading rumors that there is a woman with alpha blood causing destruction. It was easy to put the pieces together and realize that we all know one who would cause a ruckus.”

“And?” I ask, my voice hesitant. “Do you stand with them or are you willing to change all the rules?”

His grin widens. “Of course I’m here to break all the rules, though I’m a little disappointed you chose him over having two.”

“Or four,” one of the Howler brothers claims.

“There was never going to be another one for me,” I say sweetly, with a pained smile. “But I was forced to date and try to find someone else. If anyone had found out, then I feared what would happen.”

“Doesn’t seem you care about that now, considering you're mated to the beta,” Marcus snaps, mostly as he looks at Sam. “But I can’t say that I blame you. A fated mate is hard to find, so having them is… hard to resist, even if it means changing everything you know to have them.”

My wolf pushes harder beneath my skin. Her growl rolls through me, ready to take them on if needed. Of course, I don’t trust the men in front of me and neither does she. The timing feels off.

Sam steps slightly forward, his shoulders loose but ready. He tenses slightly when Reed shifts his weight from foot to foot. I know they’re preparing to move if one of the men even twitches wrong. I don’t want that though. It may cost them their lives.

I take a slow breath. “Well, I’m sure you didn’t come here to comment and talk about my mating. What do you really want?”

Marcus huffs out a soft laugh. “No, though trust me, that topic has come up multiple times with all of us on the trip here.”

His brother rolls his eyes. “All of us knew you’d have to choose, but I have to say I’m severely disappointed.”

Sam’s jaw tightens. “Choosing me was the best thing for her. Now can we move on with this conversation.”

“We don’t support the council,” Marcus adds. “And we’re not too sure about those who want to rise against you. We came to tell you that we will fight at your side.”

“But?” I ask, feeling like he’s leaving something off.

“We want you to add more to your mates. All of us are more than willing to share,” Marcus says.

“No, absolutely not,” Sam argues, but I block him with one arm.

Reed blinks a few times in disbelief. I’m staring at them as if they’ve all grown multiple heads. Is this real? Are they serious about me taking more than one mate?

Just when I think things are about to explode, Marcus bursts out laughing.

“We’re not expecting you to take a harem. Chill, it was just a joke.”

My breath leaves in a low, shaky exhale as Marcus wipes a stray tear from beneath his eye. He’s been laughing so hard, he’s actually crying. The tension in the air splits slightly, but my wolf remains ready at the surface. She’s not fully convinced that this isn’t some elaborate setup. Sam looks one second away from throat punching Marcus for making the joke. Reed’s brows are still arched. I’m afraid they may never go back to normal after this.

Marcus snorts again. “Seriously, Halley. Did you really think we came here to propose some kind of combined mating pact? The look on Sam’s face is priceless, though.”

Sam growls low. “Try that joke again and you’ll be walking home without teeth.

“Sam,” I warn. “Not now.

Marcus lifts both hands in defeat. “Okay. Point taken. I won’t do that again.”

The clothes are smirking, though they’re trying to keep it contained. Not one of them looks as hostile as I thought they would. However, the mood is still uneasy, like we’re standing at the edge of a cliff and someone is about to jump.

Tyler steps forward, shaking his head. “Look, we didn’t just want to come here to make jokes and because of the rumors. We came because they’re plotting to attack, though I’m not sure how well that will go for them.”

“They’ve told people you are unhinged,” Marcus adds. “That your bloodline is dangerous and that your mate bond shouldn’t exist. I’m not sure most buy it.”

“Cowards,” Sam scoffs.

“More like desperate for control,” Reed corrects. “They know they’ve lost control and they’re being idiots because of that fear. Give it a week and I’m sure more will move away from their guidance.”

I swallow hard, my throat tight. “And the ones who split from us, do they believe it?”

“It’s going to fizzle,” Tyler says. “Their plans are already falling apart. If we stand beside you openly, then it’s over. They won’t try you again.”

I bite my lower lip, thinking about what they’re saying. “What are you proposing, if not having me take in a harem? What do you want for your help?”

They all glance around at each other, then back at me. “We want mates. We want fated ones and hope that you will help us find them.”

“You want me to be a mate finder for you all?”

“Yes, and we think you’d be good at it.”

My eyebrows raise as I stare at them. Of all the things I thought they’d ask for, this is the least expected. I don’t even know how to find mates for them.