Figuring she’d seen enough death for one day, Ally turned to Derren. “I need a shower. And clothes.” She was still wearing nothing but his coat.

Derren pressed a kiss to her nose. “Yes, you do. Come on.”

She tipped her chin toward the enforcers, who were preparing to move the dead bodies. “The guys might want some help with that.”

“I know, but you need me right now.”

She opened her mouth to deny it—dominant females dealt with things themselves, and it was what Ally had always done. But she didn’t have to go it alone anymore. “Yeah, I do.” Her admittance made his eyes gleam with approval.

Back at their lodge, Derren held her close as they stood under the hot spray. “You okay?” he asked gently.

“Rachelle deserved what she got, I know that. But I still wish it hadn’t had to end that way.” She never would have admitted that softness to anyone else, but she trusted Derren with every secret and every vulnerability that existed inside her.

“You had no choice.”

“I’m used to saving people. It’s all I’ve ever done. Killing was a first.”

“It might not be the last,” he warned her, gently massaging shampoo through her hair. “Being Beta female means you’ll be part of any battles that occur, baby.”

Sensing his worry that today’s events had affected her acceptance of the role, she kissed his chin. “I’m not going to ask for us to step down.” She smiled, gently prodding his chest with her finger. “You like being Beta.”

“No, I don’t.”

Her smile widened at his petulant tone. “Yes, you do. Admit it, the position suits you. And let’s face it, you couldn’t handle anyone else having a Beta level of authority over you. Even Nick doesn’t have your total compliance.”

“He doesn’t want people to follow him blindly.”

“Admit it,” she repeated.

He sighed. “Fine. I like being Beta.” Tipping her head back under the water, he rinsed the shampoo out of her hair. “I’m proud of you.”

Meeting his gaze again, she cocked her head. “Why?”

“Because you did what you had to do. It sounds simple, but not everyone does it. It’s not bad that you didn’t find it easy. Killing someone shouldn’t be easy.” But it was easier for some—including him—than others. Derren wasn’t sorry she’d killed Rachelle. Nor did he feel that the female had deserved to be spared. Hell, if he could have, he’d have dealt with Rachelle himself—both to get vengeance and to spare Ally the pain of doing it herself.

He loved that Ally had the capacity to feel some regret, loved the softness to her that most didn’t see. “Are you relieved that the truth is finally out? The Collingwood wolves all know what really happened now. They know who the real liar was. Know how badly they fucked up.”

“Yes. I feel . . . lighter. It shouldn’t have bothered me that they all thought a load of crap about me. I’m not part of their pack anymore, and I don’t want to be. But all the same, I wanted my name clear.”

“I get it.”

“I want your name clear too.” She hated the stains he wrongfully carried on his name.

“Maybe one day it’ll happen, but I doubt it. It’s enough that you believe I’m innocent of the accusations. That you’ve never doubted me. Not even once.” He kissed her gently but hungrily. When she reached for his cock—which was hard, of course, since she was naked—he closed his hand around her wrist. “Later. As soon as we’re done here, I’m going to get you out of the shower, dry you off, get you dressed into your sweats, brush your hair, and then lay with you.”

“Uh . . . why?” His plan didn’t sound even half as good as what she had in mind.

“Because you’re mine, and it’s my job to take care of you.”

Looking into that implacable gaze, she knew he wouldn’t back down. While she was disappointed that there would be no sex, she also felt cherished that he would treat her this way. “Fine. But I expect multiple orgasms later.”

He smiled. “I love a woman who knows what she wants.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

It wasn’t every day that you saw a grown Alpha male having a stare down with a toddler. But going by the concentration and resolve on Nick’s face, Ally suspected he would be damned if he’d look away first. The twinkling of the colored fairy lights that hung on the trees surrounding the tables and dance floor reflected in Nick’s and Kye’s eyes, making the whole staring-down scene seem eerie. Roni, Marcus, Bracken, Zander, and Jesse were all doing their best to stifle grins of amusement.

Pausing at their table, Ally smiled. “Why are you snarling at Kye?” The little boy, who greatly resembled Trey, was sitting on Roni’s lap.

Without looking at her, Nick replied, “I’ll stop when he stops.”

“He’s a baby alpha.” Bracken took a swig of his beer. “Every instinct he has tells him there’s a dangerous predator in front of him and that he must battle for dominance.”

Jesse glanced around before asking Ally, “Where’s your mate?”

“I left him with Shaya while I came to get more cake.” Ally gestured to the plate she was holding. The huge cake had been specially made for the mating ceremony. Everywhere, people were laughing, dancing, eating, and drinking. They were also still enjoying the freedom to come and go from their territories as they pleased.