A Wolf's Pride by Jennifer T. Alli Page B

the
question didn’t even merit answering.
    “ Was this your
idea sweetheart?” Sebastian questioned, remembering his mate’s
penchant for getting into trouble and the situation at hand
definitely seemed to be brewing into one that his mate was known
for getting involved in. His hand gripped her side and pulled her
against him, a subconscious move to protect her from the likely
wrath of his cousin.
    “ Actually, it
was all Alex’s idea,” she smiled, confident that there would be no
repercussions from her and Alex’s joint excursion. The idea had
actually originated from both of them but they had agreed that it
would be better if the idea was laid at her door. She was the Queen
after all, nobody could question her decisions in the King’s
absence.
    “ She didn’t
used to be like this,” Ryan commented. “But now, once she has her
mind set on something it’s impossible to make her think differently
I think that aunt Yvonne has taught her too well. The one I feel
for is Tobias, she’s all set to take on the world but in her
condition all she does it make him worry.”
    “ Speak of the
devil,” Sebastian laughed and Chloe turned within Ryan’s arms to
see another pack of wolves approaching although this time there
were two human figures amongst them. It was difficult to make out
in the dark but she managed to make out the figure of a large man
carrying a much smaller person. As the new wolves approached,
Tobias returned to them, a frown etched onto his strong features.
When they were close enough, Chloe could finally see the figure
that had been carried amongst the wolves. The woman was small,
caramel skinned with wildly curling brown hair and as she neared
them, Chloe could hear her voice calling out to them.
    “ Tobias,” Alex
called out. Her voice was cheery though Chloe sincerely believed
that if she could have seen the anger on Tobias’ face she wouldn’t
have been so happy.
    As soon as
they were close enough, Tobias moved, removing Alex from the arms
of the guard he had assigned to her care and well being, pulling
her against him. The idea that another male had been so close to
her body had his wolf snarling within his mind and he had to agree
with the wolf’s sentiments. “Xandria, what are you doing
here?”
    “ I came to see
Ryan’s mate,” she laughed. “Put me down. I can still
walk.”
    The gentle
care with which Tobias lowered the woman to the ground surprised
Chloe but as soon as Alex’s feet touched the ground it became clear
why he had been so tender. Alex’s stomach was distended, the large
bulge telling Chloe without words that she was pregnant. The large
bump seemed too big for such a small woman and as she approached
her, Chloe noted that she walked very carefully, each step measured
and cautiously taken. It was rather amusing to see the man she had
initially been afraid of trail behind the woman as though she could
simply fall down at any moment, care and worry evident in his grey
eyes.
    “ Hi,” Alex
grinned when she was in front of Chloe, bright green eyes
practically glowing in the darkness. “I’m Alex.”
    “ Hello, I’m
Chloe,” she replied unwilling to be rude in the face of such
politeness.
    “ Good Chloe,”
Ryan whispered into her ear, his warm breaths feathering over her
ear and causing her to shiver slightly. “Don’t be rude to Alex. All
these men around her are prepared to give their lives to protect
her and if I know Tobias he’s probably told them to keep her safe
from everything, threats and insults included.”
    “ So you’re
Ryan’s mate?” Alex asked happily.
    “ I’m Ryan’s
nothing,” she replied simply and awaited Alex’s
response.
    Alex
chuckled, “I know that’s how you feel now, but things will change I
promise.”
    “ I have no
intention of developing this relationship beyond kidnapper and
victim.” She could hear Ryan wince loudly from behind her and she
struggled not to feel sympathetic towards him.
    “ I knew there
was