They Took His Inheritance, He Claimed Three Alpha Mates novel · Chapter 22 of 40

Chapter 22: The Gathering Opens

The packs came into Hollowbrook at noon, three columns down three roads, with their banners wet from the rain.

Max stood on the steps of the Meeting Hall in a gray coat and a pair of black gloves that Mary had left on his bed.

He wore them.

It would have been stupid not to.

Helix rode in first, loud and cheerful, with the horses stamping and the cubs running alongside.

James swung down from the lead mare and was mobbed by three aunts at once.

Tyros came next, grim and silent, in iron-grey cloaks, two hundred wolves who did not smile.

Joel dismounted in front of them and took the salute without moving a muscle in his face.

Rydes came last, tall and quiet, and Raven walked at the head of it with the black book under his arm.

Behind the Rydes riders rolled a covered cart, with two guards at each wheel.

Nobody looked at it.

Max did, and his chest hurt.

The elders of the three packs gathered on the steps and exchanged the old greetings.

A Tyros elder with a white beard and a stiff back came last.

He stopped in front of Max and looked him over from hair to boots.

"So," he said. "You are the omega of Greywater."

"I am."

"The one who sits on the lady Linda's money."

"It is my money, sir. But yes. I sit on it."

A murmur went down the steps.

"I have heard a great deal," said the elder, loudly enough for the whole hall to catch. "That you take men to your bed like coins. That you have had three primes in a month. That the Tyros prime himself has been seen leaving your door."

"Three packs," Max said. "I'm flattered you counted."

Somebody coughed to cover a laugh.

The elder's face tightened.

"It is not a joke."

"No. It's an accurate number."

Joel had come up on the step behind him.

Max felt him there, and felt him go very still, and put one gloved hand up behind his own back, flat, in the air.

Stay.

Joel stayed.

"I'll hear the case at the Gathering," said the elder. "The Charter is clear. An omega who has lain with three unbonded alphas is ruined."

"Unbonded," said Max.

"Yes."

"We'll talk about the word."

He bowed, and went in.

That night, Greywater's great bath-house was thick with steam.

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