The Club by Yvette Hines Read Free Book Online Page A

joke, Dad.”
    “See, darling?” His mother placed her hand over his father’s and squeezed, trying to keep the peace. Something passed between his parents and Trae was sure they were communicating mentally.
    He doubted he and his father had made things easy for his mother over the years, both being Alphas. Good thing all his siblings were Betas, otherwise there would have been even more confrontations in their household for her to referee.
    “Tell us about her, Trae.”
    “Yeah, son. Who is this mate? Where’d you find her? Especially since you spent most of your night at that club.”
    Pulling in a large gulp of air to keep him focused and calm, Trae leant back in the small chair. “Amazingly enough, Dad, that’s exactly where she was.”
    “So, you’re trying to tell me that despite all the time you’ve spent frolicking about down there, you’ve just now realised this girl is the one? Your mate.”
    “She’d never been there before, but if she had, I’m sure I would have noticed her right off.”
    “Hmm.” The non-word slipped from his father.
    “This is wonderful.” His mother’s greyish-blue gaze lit up with excitement. “When do we get to meet her?”
    “It will have to be soon, with the induction ceremony happening at the end of the week,” Romel declared.
    Trae briefly cut his gaze to his father, then looked back at his mother. “As is customary, she will be at the ceremony. There just isn’t time to bring her to you before then. Besides, I need to explain to her what to expect and get her consent to join me.”
    “Her consent?” his father questioned.
    His mother frowned. “Explain things to her? She should understand how things are done, even if she is from a distant pack.”
    Taking a moment to stare down at the carpet, Trae gathered his thoughts and formulated his words with care. “She has no understanding of our ways. Olivia is a human.”
    “A human ?” his father leant forward, placing his forearms on his knees.
    It wasn’t as if it was unheard of. There were a few weres in their pack who had found human mates. But it was rare that an Alpha’s mate wasn’t pure-blooded.
    Ziona placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Does she know who and what you are?”
    “What I am, yes.” He shifted his gaze towards his father. “Not that I am the son of our Alpha and will soon take his place.”
    “It is no matter.” His father waved a hand in the air as if he could brush the issue away. “With the second mark, she will not be able to resist the pull between you.”
    “She doesn’t have the second mark yet.”
    “ What ?” Romel roared, launching his bulk to his feet.
    Trae knew his parents were from a different time, when a wolf found his mate and claimed her twice, within hours, to keep all other wolves away, then provided the third mark before the pack soon afterwards.
    “Tell us that you have at least marked her once,” his mother said. In their pack, this would be a risky time. If others discovered the mate of an Alpha, another male might attempt to mate with and mark her, stealing her away from the leader and possibly weakening any future offspring. It was hard to get an Alpha male cub from a non-mated pair.
    “I’m not a fool. She bears my mark.” Rising, he confirmed, “Soon she will receive my second mark. Prepare the full induction ceremony. By the end of the week I will present her to our pack.”
    He began to stroll out of the study, when his father’s voice stopped him. “I pray the Great Spirit grants you favour with her. Or another will still be provided for you that night.”
    Without turning around, Trae gave a curt nod and exited the room. Olivia had better be ready, because he had every intention of claiming his mate.

 
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Olivia closed the dishwasher door and started the cycle. She stretched her arms over her head. She was tired. That morning, she’d got up early and rushed over to Kelsey’s apartment to help her friend