That’d give them enough time to develop a battle plan.The growing throb in her shoulder told her in more than words that these two were the ones for her.She’d be the balance between the seething strength of Madden and the hidden power of Keller.
And that didn’t scare her nearly as much as it should have.Like, at all.
Madden watched her walk away,watched the sisters Wickham push and nudge through the throng until they were hidden from sight.
His wolf waspissed.
His heart thundered, pounding against his chest like a thousand horses racing across the plains.He couldn’t draw air into his lungs, couldn’t breathe.
His beast clawed and scraped and scratched inside him, snarling because he and Keller had let Scarlet leave.
The woman awed him.Not only did her body call to him, her mind proved she’d be a good match for them.She hadn’t walked into the Gathering blind.No, their mate had come in armed, prepared to battle with the overbearing Alphas.
Madden never doubted they were arrogant.Alphas, as a rule, wanted things done now and their way.Period.
Their Scarlet would be a good supporter and adversary at the same time.
“She’s beautiful.”Keller’s voice was pitched low, but Madden had no trouble hearing his partner Alpha.
And he agreed.She had luscious curves in all of the right places, nothing like the trim unmarked female wolves who threw themselves at the Ruling Alpha pair.Female wolves were great for a tumble, but their temperament didn’t provide proper balance, hence the magic that forced Alphas to find their mates amongst the human Marked.
And their Marked, with her round hips and lush breasts, was perfect.
Her long brown hair had seemed to gleam and glow in the ballroom, catching the light with her every shift.Her eyes… Her eyes were dark chocolate, the deep hue tempting him and luring him closer.
And, wolf or no, he was a chocolate lover at heart.
Keller’s elbow collided with his stomach, and Madden grunted.“What?”
“What do you think?”
He had only one thought, and he and his wolf were in complete agreement.“Mine.”
“Ours.”
The wolf growled but quickly recognized their partner’s claim.The beast knew they couldn’t rule, couldn’t claim Scarlet, alone.They needed Keller.Keller was as bloodthirsty as he was, but the other wolf managed to keep him out of trouble.His presence prevented Madden from spiriting Scarlet away and locking her up somewhere safe.He could protect her if she stayed inside.In his room.He suddenly realized why princesses were locked in towers.
Madden nodded.“Ours.”
The low clearing of a throat forced him to turn his attention from the point where Scarlet disappeared, to the man beside them.“Alphas.”
The Captain of the Guard.That’s right, they’d booted the asshole duo of Quentin and Garron.He hated both men.Their dominance tended to lean a little closer to mean than he liked, but each Alpha pair was entitled to join the Gathering and to search for their mate among the attending Marked.
Marked.He’d found his, theirs.
“Captain.”Madden’s attention remained riveted on the guard.
“The Colson Alphas were secured transportation to their home and given an escort to the airport.”The guard glanced at his watch.“Their flight leaves in one hour, twenty-seven minutes.”
“Excellent.”Keller joined their conversation, turning away from a pair of Alphas who’d approached them.
Keller’s gaze fell to him, eyes dark, brows furrowed and lips pinched in a solid white line.Already his partner had to be feeling the effects of their mate’s absence.
Scarlet?Keller spoke with his partner Alpha telepathically, a benefit of being part of an Alpha pair.
Madden rolled his eyes.Like I’d ever forget about ensuring her safety.“Captain, please locate the sisters Wickham.I want them to have round the clock protection.Pull in whomever you need, but I want a guard on their asses at all times.Like fucking glue.”The Captain raised a single brow but remained silent.Madden refused to sate the guard’s curiosity.The packs would learn about Scarlet soon enough.“That’s all I need.”
The wolf bowed and retreated, disappearing into the sea of men and women.