After our little encounter in his room, Alpha all but dragged me down the stairs to the kitchen. As soon as we walked in, the room went silent.

“This is Dallas. You will treat her with respect.”

It didn’t slip my attention that he was looking directly at Jasmine. I could see the argument her eyes held but thinking better of it, she simply nodded and dropped her eyes to her plate.

A chorus of ‘yes Alpha’ and ‘welcome’ went around the table as we made our way to our seats. I wanted to sit as far from him as possible but he wasn’t having it. The only good thing about sitting next to him was the fact that I also got to sit next to Cordy.

She just gave off this warm vibe that the others didn’t. If anyone here were to accept me, it would be her.

Not that I was looking for acceptance, hell if anything, I was looking for a way out! I knew I couldn’t handle pack life and I wasn’t about to try and learn how now. I like being on my own, I like having my freedom, and most of all I like not having to answer to anyone.

“You can sit now, sweetie. I won’t bite you….well unless you want me to.”

Cordy said, her tone saucy and seductive as she winked at me then cracked up as Devin sent her a warning growl. I almost laughed at his reaction, everyone could clearly see she was joking. So, of course, I had to add to the fire a bit.

“Oh love, you can bite me anytime you want.”

I said, taking my seat. Even to my own ears, the sound was too husky, too seductive. I would have played it off with a wink and a chuckle if it weren’t for the loud throaty growl Alpha Daniels let out.

“No one, but I, will be biting you.”

I was slightly taken back by the conviction of his words, the absolute in his tone. Instantly I hated it.

“No one will be biting me, period.”

Locking eyes with him, I could see he saw my words as a challenge. One I knew he wouldn’t back down from, and that had me wanting to run from here as fast as possible. Ignoring the strange, unfamiliar pain that came with the thought of leaving. I only knew I had to find a way out of here as soon as I could.

“Ryker, dadd-”

Jasmine started but was soon cut off as Alpha Daniels snapped his head in her direction, glaring at her.

“You will not address me so casually.”

“But, Ry-I mean Alpha, you never had an issue with it before.”

I could hear the double meaning behind her words but didn’t care to think on what they meant. I figured, as an Alpha, he would have bedded at least half his pack by now. That’s how Alphas were. They fucked anything that could walk for shits and giggles.

“Oh please, silicone, he’s only told you like 80 billion times.”

I had to laugh at Cordy’s casual reference and use of my earlier name calling of Jasmine. It was too funny, and thankfully I wasn’t the only one who found it hilarious. As half the table laughed or snickered, I noted even Alpha Daniels turn and played his chuckle off as a cough.

“Devin you need to rein in your little pup! I’m sure daddy would love to hear about this.”

The smug smirk on her face told me that was a threat, she has something against Cordy. I could feel the rage coming off Devin in waves when he looked to his girl and she mouth for him to calm down.

“You threaten her, or any member of this pack again, and I promise you your father won’t hold such power. I didn’t give him that position to let him abuse it for your spoiled ways. If I find out that he did, I won’t hesitate to throw you both out.”

Looking like she had just been slapped, Jasmine got to her feet and headed for the door. Only to turn back and look over her shoulder.

“I’ll be sure to tell Tris you won’t be making it tomorrow.”

I looked around at all the faces at the table and saw that everyone had suddenly become very interested in their plates. I wondered what position her father held and why the mention of this ‘Tris’ had turned the Alpha red with anger.

“Get Richard here now. I think it’s time he and I had a little talk about her.”

The command was in full swing as Devin got up from the table and nodded. Jeez, he could at least let him finish his dinner. I thought, as I saw the beta kiss Cordy on the head and start to walk off.

“That was rude. You could have waited until he was done before you started barking orders.”

I huffed as I watched everyone at the table gasp and let their jaws drop. Shit, I did it again.

“Devin. She’s right, please come back and finish. Just link with him now and tell him to keep Tristian clear of Jasmine until I pick him up later.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I was slightly embarrassed by my actions but not enough to show it. I may not like the lad but I would never make him starve just so I could be a lazy ass and not take care of my own business. That was another thing I hated about Alphas, they just sit on their asses all day telling others what to do.

“You’re going to be good for him.”

I heard Cordy mumble before she started to dig into her food. I looked at her with a shocked expression, only earning me a giggle before I turned to my plate.

“He’ll be here shortly, Alpha.”

Devin said as he sat back down. I gave him a confused look.

“How do you know? You didn’t call anyone?”

I asked, pure curiosity lacing my tone. I could feel Alpha Daniels eyes on me but ignored them as I looked to Devin for an answer.

“I used the pack link. Much faster than a mobile.”

He joked as my confusion grew, he simply chuckled and looked to the Alpha. With a small nod he turned his attention back to me.

“Each pack can mind link with the other members of their pack. You didn’t know that?”

He stared at me like I was a science experiment, studying me for my reaction. I narrowed my eyes at him, I didn’t like anyone looking at me like that.

“I’ve never known pack life.”

I looked right at him, ignoring the gasp from the others present, I wasn’t about to go into detail just like I wasn’t about to show any sort of weakness or emotion about not knowing pack life. There was a lot I didn’t know about Were’s but I always figured, with time, I would find out as much as I could.

Most rogues weren’t really talkative, until a year ago, I didn’t even know what I was. I happened to wonder upon Jax and he did his best to explain what he could to me. Other than shifting, I really didn’t know what else there was to being a Were.

I noticed both Devin and Alpha Daniels looking at one another, the slight movements of their head and their facial expressions looked like they were silently, mentally, having a discussion. Finally Devin looked at me and smirked.

I immediately felt uneasy. What were they talking about? Obviously it had something to do with me, and that was something I didn’t like. I had to get out of here before I could say anything stupid or out of line.

“Alpha Daniels, ma-”

“Ryker.”

He cut me off with a firm look.

“Huh?”

“Call me Ryker. Alpha Daniels was my father.”

He gave me an encouraging smile while is tone was calm and collected. I figured that last bit was meant to be playful but with his tone, it just sounded like a statement. Who knows, maybe it was just a statement, with him, you couldn’t tell. He was just so serious all the time.

“Alp-”

“No Alpha, just Ryker.”

Again he cut me off and I felt my blood boil, I hated when people do that. Did this twat know I was doing my best to show respect? He may not deserve it –I had yet to decide on that-but I was already in hot water, so I figured I needed to at least keep formalities.

“You know, it’s rude to cut others off while they’re speaking. Now, if I may, Ryker, I’d like to be excused.”

I did my best to keep my temper in check but the more I looked at this man the more I felt my blood heat. He was pushing my buttons, all the while, humor played in his eyes. It was so infuriating.

“Of course, you must be exhausted. Go rest for a bit, tonight I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

Getting up from the table I nodded, I could nap. Then his last words hit me.

“Who am I meeting?”

I asked warily, almost afraid of the answer.

“My son.”

*Jasmine on the side, Kate Upton.*