Without Reservations

ignored the fluttering in his stomach and clapped his dad on the shoulder.
    “What’s going on? Why is everyone here?”
    64 www.samhainpublishing.com

    Without Reservations
    Joe looked up from petting Pita. “Well, to welcome Keaton into the pack of course.”
    What? “But, Dad, Keaton hasn’t even met John yet.” Chay glanced over at Bit.
    Bit shrugged, seeming as puzzled as Chay felt.
    Joe took Pita out of Bit’s arms and grinned. “John is waiting for the two of you in the kitchen. I’ll watch Pita. I’m going out back to grab a hamburger. I’ll see the two of you when you’re done.” He turned and walked off. Immediately several cubs who’d accompanied their fathers to the meeting, rushed at him wanting to pet the Golden Retriever.
    Okay, something strange was going on. Why would John admit Keaton to the pack without meeting him first? Granted Chay’s father was one of the pack Betas, but John had never let someone in without meeting them first. Chay frowned. Unless… Did they know Keaton was his mate?
    “What? You look like something is bothering you.” Bit touched his arm.
    Chay looked at him and shook his head. “Nothing. Come on, let’s go meet John so we can eat. Smells like they’re grilling burgers.”
    Bit raised a brow at him but didn’t question him further.
    They found John and his wife Mary in the kitchen, gathering up condiments, plastic utensils and paper plates. John came to them as soon as they entered, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “Chayton.”
    “John.”
    The pack Alpha’s eyes widened when he meet Keaton’s gaze.
    Keaton immediately turned his head, baring his throat in a show of respect.
    John frowned and cocked his head, a lock of his short salt and pepper hair falling into his eyes. “Why in the world aren’t you leader of your own pack?”
    www.samhainpublishing.com 65
    J.L. Langley
    Bit raised his head and met John’s gaze. “I’ve no desire to lead. I’m actually next in line for the position in my birth pack, but I have no intention of taking the job.”
    Lead? Chay frowned. What had he missed?
    John nodded and extended his hand to Bit. “John Carter.”
    Bit greeted him with a handshake. “Keaton Reynolds. Nice to meet you, sir.”
    “It’s nice to meet you too, Keaton. Joe has had nothing but nice things to say about you. He said you were powerful, but…” He whistled.
    “You don’t want to run your own pack? I don’t think I’ve ever met a wolf who has three forms who wasn’t a pack leader.”
    Three forms? Bit had three forms? Chay stared at Bit like he’d never seen him before. How had he not realized that? It was extremely rare to find a wolf that had three forms. All wolves could shift from human to wolf, but a rare few could also shift into a half-wolf, half-man form.
    John chuckled. “You look shocked, Chayton. Didn’t you know? Can’t you feel the energy coming off of him?”
    Chay shook his head. He was too busy trying to control his errant cock when Keaton was around. The only energy he felt was due to their mate bond.
    “Ahh, interesting. Your senses are confused because of who he is to you.”
    Bit’s gaze shot to his.
    His shot to Bit.
    What did that mean? How did John know Keaton was his mate?
    Before he could ask, John patted Bit’s shoulder and smiled.
    “I have to admit, I’m a little leery of your power, but you can sense that already, can’t you?”
    Keaton nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m used to it.”
    John smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes becoming more pronounced. “I bet you are. Because of Chay, I’m going to do something I 66 www.samhainpublishing.com

    Without Reservations
    don’t usually do.” He extended his hand toward Keaton again. “Welcome to the pack, Keaton.”
    Keaton shook John’s hand again. “Thank you.”
    “Come, let me introduce you to my wife Mary and then I’ll take you outside so you can meet the pack. Then we can all eat. It’s nice outside, we decided to set up tables out back. I figured this may be the last nice day we have this autumn. Don’t you agree, Chay?”
    “Yes, sir. It is nice.”
    John led Keaton over to Mary while Chay stood there, shell-shocked.
    How had John known about them? Did his dad somehow guess? And how in hell had he not realized Bit was as powerful as he was? Chay had never met a wolf with all three forms before, but he was sure he’d recognize it if he had. He could tell when a wolf was an alpha wolf or not, and he