Page 66 of Dominion

Zolla lowered to one knee and bowed his head, holding his fist in his hand in the position of respect for their alpha. Mark and Stanley went down next. Shayla dropped, too, and strangely, she wore a smile almost like a proud parent might give their new graduate. One by one, the wolves dropped to the floor at his feet, showing their subservience to him.

When even Ashley copied the gesture, balanced on her crutches, a shudder ran through him—a sign of the rightness and importance of the moment.

Humbled, he mimicked the gesture, clasping his fist and bowing his head. “You honor me,” he said. “I will do my best to defend and serve you as your leader and your brother wolf.” He dropped his head back and howled in the direction of the moon.

The entire pack joined him, raising their voices to mingle with his, filling the metal building with the reverberation of their united song.

When the howls died down, he said, “I will take any old or new business in a moment, but first, I’d like to introduce you to my mate.” He reached for Ashley’s hand and helped her to her feet. “This is Ashley. She is part wolf and my salvation—the female who rescued me from my worst self. I know humans are not usually a part of these activities, and I know it’s unusual for an alpha to mate with a human, but I hope you will make her as welcome as you would a full-blooded wolf.” He hardened his gaze as he swept it across the crowd, showing them a hint of warning so they would understand he was giving them an order, not a request.

He squeezed Ashley’s hand, sensing her nervousness but knowing she would overcome any objections anyone had about her. Hell, she had won him over in about five seconds flat.

“Does anyone have business that has to be discussed tonight, or can we go straight to the food?” he asked with a grin. Wolf meetings typically included a potluck at the end, in which food was shared, along with socializing. For this meeting, he had told Stanley he’d provide the food, which he’d had catered by a local Mexican restaurant.

“Let’s eat,” someone called out.

He grinned. “All right, the food’s in my car. If a couple of you could give me a hand, I’ll get it set up.”

Ashley was already swinging her crutches toward the door. He grabbed her waist and pulled her back. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get the food.”

“How exactly were you planning on carrying it?”

She leaned the crutches against the wall. “I don’t think I need these things,” she said.

He fixed her with a stern look and pointed at the couch. “Sit down and don’t move until I come and get you or I will roast your behind.”

She looked like she was going to protest, so he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her to the couch, where he deposited her.

“Stay,” he commanded.

She grinned, her blue eyes bright against flushed cheeks. “Woof.”

He winked as he headed out to the car where several people already waited to help carry in the food. They made quick work of it, bringing it in and setting it out on folding tables along the back.

Shayla appeared at his side. “It’s about time,” she said.

“What?”

“This pack has been waiting for you to get your head out of your ass and take charge for three years now,” she said, her hands on her hips.

He sucked in his breath. “I don’t know how to be like Leon,” he said, admitting his biggest concern.

She touched his arm. “You’ll be like Ben,” she said with a smile. “And that will be enough.”

“Thanks,” he said, stunned by her vote of confidence.

“Leon would be proud of you,” she said. “He always said you’d be great at whatever you decided to do.”

Ben blinked and rubbed his nose as his vision went wavy.

Shayla lifted her cheek for the Latin American kiss, then wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. “I’m happy for you, Ben.” She nodded toward Ashley. “She’s obviously wonderful.”

“Thanks, Shay. I appreciate it,” he said. His chest felt so full and warm he feared it might burst.

He made his way back to Ashley, which took a while, because he had to stop to accept regards from various wolves along the way. When he reached her, he pulled her up to stand and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing the top of her head.

“Congratulations, alpha,” she said.