The Mating Rules

Isaac’s POV

inwardly g***n as I push open the door to Caden’s office to be faced with the sight of my sister perched on his desk while his tongue is down her throat. One hand cups her a*s, and I do not even want to know where his other hand is.

‘Really?’ I grumble, using my bulky frame to block our new members from seeing their new Alpha performing what is tantamount to the start of a porno.

“You knew I was back, AND you insisted that I come straight here’ I add accusingly. A*****e, I swear he does this just to piss me off, I don’t need to know about my sister’s s*x life.

Jamie bear laughs as she pulls away, glancing over her shoulder at me as Caden grins wickedly at me from behind her. Yeah, he’s definitely doing this sh*t on purpose.

‘Did you wait for me to tell you to come in? No? Well then you are going to see things that you do not want too’ he retorts dismissively.

Biting back my retort, I step aside and wave everyone inside, watching them line up in front of Caden’s desk, the new members fidgeting nervously as his aura hits them.

Greeting each of them, Caden and Jamie Bear move down the line until they reach Raelyn who looks tiny beside Caden’s huge frame.

“Raelyn’ she offers quickly, ‘I’m an Omega, I don’t have a mate.’

I feel Caden’s glare before he even calls my name, and I quickly hurry to stand behind the woman, unable to stop myself from crowding her slightly, as the urge to protect her pulls at me.

Maybe better to discuss this when everyone is released’ I murmur to him, giving him a look that he must interpret correctly as he quickly allows the others to leave.

Raelyn goes to follow, but is stopped when Caden growls,’ not you’ and I feel his aura intensify which makes me clench my fists at my side. It’s normal for an Alpha to exert his aura when he’s upset or unhappy, but for some reason, him doing it to Raelyn causes my anger to surface.

I watch as Caden blinks in surprise and glancing down I realise that Raelyn, though looking at the floor, seems unaffected by the Alpha aura aimed at her. All of our Omegas and quite a few of our warriors would be on their knees when faced with Caden’s temper, but Raelyn continues to stand, her shoulders hunched but doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort.

Catching my eye, Caden raises an eyebrow to which I shrug, speaking him through our mind link, ‘not a member yet? So your slightly enhanced Aura isn’t as effective on her at the minute?’

Caden frowns but seems to decide to let it go, instead he grabs Jamie bear’s hand and drags her behind him as he moves back to his seat, tugging her into his lap as she giggles.

‘OK, so, not saying that we aren’t thrilled to have you here Raelyn’ Caden starts, ‘but why are you here when you are not mated?’

I decide to take over the conversation, clearing my throat so that Caden’s attention moves to me.

“We had a situation at Raelyn’s old pack’ I reply awkwardly.

“What kind of situation?’ my sister demands, worry in her voice.

I hold up a hand, ‘nothing awful’ I sooth her, ‘well not yet anyway’ I add with a sigh.

‘Spit it out Isaac’ Caden grumbles, glaring at me, yeah, I’m in sh*t already for this.

‘One of our Warriors, Lance Horsham, he was mated to the sister of the future Beta’ I reply. ‘She was not as pleased about the mating as he was’ I admit with a snarl.

‘She rejected him?’ Jamie-Lee demands, her own temper flaring as she turns on Caden’s lap so her full attention is on me.

‘Nơ’ I shrug, ‘but she was thinking about it. Lance decided that he wanted to fight for her, and asked for a trade to the pack’

I watch both my Alpha and Luna suck in a breath, glancing at each other, no doubt communicating quickly via their link.

‘He understands the risk’ I say, trying to sooth their concerns before they air them. We also have a clause in place for both Raelyn and Lance’s protection.’

That grabs my Alpha’s attention and he’s back glaring at me which I know is because I’ve agreed to something without consulting him.

‘What clause?’ he growls.

I sigh, the trade will be for one moon cycle I reply, ‘if after the next full moon Raelyn and Lance both wish to return to their original packs, they will be free to do so.

Caden’s eyes darken and I watch as my sister subtly places a hand on his arm, calming him.

‘That’s an interesting clause she murmurs, studying Raelyn who doesn’t even shiver under the higher ranking wolf’s gaze.

I nod, ‘this is an unusual situation’ I agree, ‘the Alpha and I felt that with the delicacy of Lance’s situation and Raelyn’s ‘Rank she offers up, looking at me with wide eyes, you can say it Beta, I know its unusual for an Omega to be traded to another pack especially when it was in place of a warrior.’

I bite back the desire to blurt out that I’d trade half the pack for her to be here, instead I focus back on Caden. ‘Because of Raelyn’s status, she may find that moving to a new pack is harder than she expected. With two members who could find their decision unbearable, we didn’t want to close the door on them so we thought a trial swap would be best.’

Jamie Lee nods thoughtfully, turning toward Raelyn and tilting her head in curiosity, ‘why did you wish to come here Raelyn?’ she asks softly.

Rae blushes, her gaze still on the floor at her feet as she swallows thickly before replying. I have never left my pack before she admits quietly, ‘and Warrior Lance wanted to be with his mate, he needed someone to come here for him to be able to stay.’

‘Were you coerced into this trade?’ Caden asks sharply, his grip on my sister tightening slightly as his features darken in anger.

Raelyn’s head snaps up, her eyes meeting his in shock before she drops he gaze again, ‘no Alpha!’ she replies immediately, ‘I was given the choice, truth be told, my Alpha didn’t really want me to go’ she admits reluctantly.

“Your Alpha was against the trade?’ Jamie-Lee murmurs confusedly as she glances up at me, ‘but he still allowed it to go ahead.’

Raelyn sucks in a breath, peeking up though her lashes at the people in front of her. I’m a foundling’ she sighs, ‘the Alpha and his family took me in and raised me as their daughter. I did Omega duties because I am not a ranked wolf, but they were good to me, very protective.’

I can see Jamie Lee soften, due to Hadley, she has a deep soft spot for foundling pups.

The Omega in front of me continues, sometimes, they were all a little too overprotective you know? Not that I would ever say anything bad about them, Alpha Grant and Alpha Jasper were the best and kindest people in the world and I love them all as my family.’

My sister nods, I can understand that’ she chuckles, ‘I have two mates, so you can guess how overprotective they can both be of me.’

Caden growls, pulling her against his chest and biting gently on her ear, if you didn’t keep getting into trouble, we wouldn’t have to be the way we are he huffs.

My sister laughs, swatting at him, ‘please, I could sit in our room for the rest of my life and you’d still put four guards outside she teases.

Returning her attention to Raelyn, my sister smiles, ‘you wanted a chance to see what life was like without people treating you like you are going to be kidnapped every second?’

The Omega nods slowly, biting her l*p nervously as she waits.

Jamie-Lee glances at Caden, the Alpha frowning before he g****s, rubbing a hand down his face and speaking.

‘Well, we are happy to have you join us Raelyn’ he mutters,’ I’m sure that you will find your place here. I will call one of the Omega’s who will help you settle into your new room and introduce you to our head Omega.

Raelyn nods her understanding, her shoulders relaxing slightly and I resist the urge to reach out and rub them.

I can take her to her quarters’ I offer, realising my mistake as soon as three pairs of eyes turn my way.

You want to show an Omega to her room?’ Jamie-Lee repeats, her gaze narrowing at me as she tries to read me. I blank my face, refusing to meet her eye as I nod ‘Raelyn was part of my help at her old pack, I think she would be more comfortable with me showing her to her room as I’m a familiar face.’ I know that my brother in law and sister are both staring at me, and I purposefully keep my eyes above their head as I wait.

‘OK, if you are sure Caden murmurs, his gaze moving to Raelyn again, ‘are you happy for Beta Isaac to accompany you Raelyn?’ he asks.

I hold my breath, not daring to move a muscle until I hear Raelyn’s sweet voice reply,

‘as long as I’m not causing any delay to Beta Isaac’s schedule I would appreciate his help.’

I fight back a grin, sneaking a look at the redhead as Caden excuses us.

Walking out of the room, I hold the door for Raelyn, my eyes moving back toward the Alpha and Luna who are both openly staring at me. Looks like I’m not just getting my a*s kicked, I’m going to be interrogated when they next get me alone.

Shutting the door, I fall into step beside Raelyn as I link to the driver of our vehicle and find out which room they have placed the Omega’s belongings in.

You are on the first floor I murmur quietly, as we head down the stairs and along a thickly carpeted corridor until we reach a door on the right. I turn the key that is already in the lock, pushing the door open and pulling the key out before handing it to Raelyn who palms it quickly.

‘Only the Alpha has a spare key,’ I explain, ‘and he will only use it in an emergency. No one else can gain access to the room without you unlocking the door and letting them in.

Raelyn nods, her arms wrapping around herself as she soaks in the pale blue room that is filled with afternoon sunlight.

“Uhh. well I’ll let you get settled’ I say awkwardly as I hover in her doorway.

She turns toward me, a smile tugging at her lips, ‘thank you Beta’ she murmurs, to which I nod before backing out of the room and shutting the door.

As I stand on the other side, I hear the distinct sound of the key being placed in the other side and the lock clicking into place.

Turning away from the barrier that now stands between us, I trudge back toward the stairs and up to my own room, trying not to think about how much I don’t want to walk away from the feisty redhead that is under my skin way more than she should be.