Chapter 347

As soon as Christopher said he would take Grace as his mate, Louis and | saw red. Oh yes, this asshole is going to die. No one is taking my mate from me. No one. He’s faster than | expected, able to move at the last minute to avoid my punches. He gets a few in, but in my furious state, | hardly feel them. We're dancing around and | realize a moment too late what he’s planning.

When he grabs Grace, threatening to mark her now, | freeze. | have no idea how remarking a Guardian when their mate is still alive will work. But | don’t care, she’s mine and he can’t have her. Louis is thrashing around in my head, wanting to rip this guy to shreds for threatening our mate.

“You've invalidated the Alpha challenge by pulling my mate into this.” | tell him. “Your challenge is now forfeit.”

“It doesn’t matter. No one will be able to defeat me once I’m mated to a Guardian.” He says and I’m about to jump on him when Grace winks at me, her eyes bleeding to solid gold. Maia.

| watch, stunned, as she turns in his arms, her hand punching through his chest. I’m not sure, but it looks like she takes his heart in her hand. The look of shock on Christopher’s face is priceless and | hear a collective gasp from the pack.

“No one forces their mark on me.” Maia says, before ripping his heart out of his chest. His shocked expression remains on his face as his dead body drops to the ground. | look back up and see Maia turn to the crowd.

“Anyone else think they can use me against my mate?” She says, crushing Christopher's heart in her hand before tossing it to the ground.

You could hear a pin drop it’s so quiet, but every pack member begins to adamantly shake their head, no.

| walk over to her, taking her in my arms. “Are you okay, love? Did he hurt you? Maia turns to me. She hasn't given control back to Grace yet. “Only you and Louis get to sink your canines into me,”

| smile down at her, kissing her passionately. Whether she meant it or not, she just claimed me in front of our pack again.

Goddess, | love this woman.

“And no one but you and Grace can sink your canines into me.” | tell her before kissing her nose. “Now give Grace back control so we can continue the Alpha challenge.”

+IS BONDS When her eyes go back to their normal milk chocolate color, | turn to Carlos. ” Let’s continue.”

Carlos looks like he wants to protest but changes his mind. “You two,” he says, pointing to Christopher’s friends. “Get his body out of here.” They don’t object. but they give Grace a wide berth.

Carlos looks at his sheet. “Next up, Noah.” This isn’t the fight | want to have right after Christopher’s death. My mind isn’t completely in this fight, but the sooner we finish this, the sooner this pack can get back to normal.

Noah steps forward. “I would never risk weakening our pack by challenging Alpha Eli to the death. His death would most likely cause the death of our Guardian, Luna Grace.” He turns and looks at the pack. “Every one of you has seen what these two have done for the pack in less than 48 hours. Can you imagine what they will do with years as our Alpha and Luna.” He turns back to me. “It is because of this, and because | believe that you are worthy of being our Alpha, that | withdraw my petition to battle you for the position of Alpha.” He says before stepping back.

“However, if | may Alpha, | would like to spar with you at some point in the future.” He says, grinning at me.

“Deal.” | say, smiling, before turning back to Carlos.

The next two contestants for Alpha both rescind their challenges, and the battles are over. | am officially the pack’s Alpha again.

I stand in front of the pack, pulling Grace to my side.

“You all know that we have much work to do to rebuild this pack. | have some ideas for how we can bring in some money for the pack and | will be speaking with the Alphas of our neighboring packs, Alpha Rik and Alpha Liam to discuss. this, as well as how we can make this an official pack. Once that is completed, | will be scheduling an official Alpha, Luna and Beta ceremony so that everyone of you can pledge your loyalty to this pack and we can begin using a pack mind link.”

I stop as a cheer goes up around the group.

“Your Luna is already making changes within the packhouse, and | believe everyone has seen some of those changes in the meals that have been prepared since yesterday.” Another cheer.

“If anyone is still looking for a work assignment, please let me, Luna Grace, or Beta Carlos know. We will find a place for you.

Finally, | know many of you have +15 BONDS either not found your mate or have lost your mate whether through death or rejection. When | speak to Alpha Rik and Alpha Liam, | will be discussing having inter—pack gatherings so you can try to find your mates among our neighboring packs.” | stop, as more cheering occurs.

“You are always welcome to come talk to your ranked members. You do not need to fear mistreatment in this pack. We are a sanctuary for all those that need a safe place. If you have any concerns or questions, | want you to feel safe and welcome in coming to the three of us.” | open my arms to include Carlos and Grace.

“Okay, everyone. Back to work!” | dismiss them. | send Grace inside to shower. Several individuals come up to congratulate me, many want to talk about the patrol schedules that I’ve been working on.

| send Carlos in to take care of his duties and | tell the group to meet me in the dining hall in 15 minutes and we can go over the schedules. As | head in to shower, | see Noah.

“Hey, Noah.”

“Alpha.” He says, showing me his neck in submission.

| put a hand on his shoulder. “Have you ever considered becoming a Gamma?”

He looks at me, startled. “I hadn’t ever given it any thought.”

“Well, | need one, and I'd like it to be you. So, think about it and let me know.” | tell him before walking off, leaving him looking stunned.

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