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See that he has no injuries that won t heal, Marsdon ordered the others.
Bennett nodded, guessing that was as accepting as Marsdon was going to be right
then. Alfred might not be a nice wolf, but he deserved to feel safe in his place in the pack.
Every wolf deserved that. Bennett would talk to Marsdon about that later. Right now, he had
other duties to attend to.
He was so damn tired, but he turned back to the other side of the circle regardless.
Only one wolf was left. Talbot. Fuzzy headed from so many blows, Bennett crouched down
for a moment, resting one hand on the floor in front of him as he fought to get his breath
back. For a full minute he didn t look towards the far side of the circle, didn t invite another
opponent.
Talbot. Marsdon had said something about him. Bennett lifted his gaze and looked
across to the last wolf before his minute s rest could become something the other wolves
might see as a weakness.
The small wolf stood waiting, watching him. He looked bloody terrified. Talbot.
Marsdon hadn t told him anything more than he already knew. Talbot was a true omega.
Bennett managed a small smile.
Come here, Talbot.
THE MARK OF AN ALPHA Kim Dare
70
The wolf approached very cautiously, as if ready to take to his heels and run at the
first sign of attack.
It s okay. You can come closer.
Finally the younger wolf stood in front of him.
You can make your challenge, Bennett told him, softening his voice so the other
wolf might see an alpha s care rather than an opponent s threat when he looked at him. I
won t hurt you.
Talbot shook his head, he dropped to his knees in front of him, as Bennett remained
crouched down on the ground. I know you re an alpha. We all do. It was just that&
Just that? Bennett asked, wondering how bad it really was.
Alfred said the packs lied to everyone so you and Marsdon could be together, the
smaller wolf blurted out.
What?
Talbot swallowed. You didn t meet on the mating day the way they all said you
would. You met before. You were a love match. Everyone could see that.
Bennett stared at the younger wolf, with no idea what to say to him.
Alfred said that Marsdon fell in love with a wolf who wasn t an alpha that s why he
was so sad before the mating day. And then he found out that everyone had agreed to call
you an alpha, that s why he was happy when he realised what was going on. And Alfred
said he overheard you talking and that Marsdon said& and it all made sense. You re so in
love and&
Bennett swallowed, no words came.
I know you re an alpha, Talbot repeated.
Bennett nodded, but he couldn t process all of that right now. He had to concentrate
on the challenge.
All the tradition requires is that you lay a hand on me and accept me as your alpha.
He looked at his body. There wasn t any part of him that wasn t bloody, bruised or just plain
dirty after hitting the ground so many times. He somehow managed another smile for the
younger wolf. Try to find a cleanish bit.
The omega carefully placed his fingertips on the back of his hand.
You accept me as your alpha? Bennett asked.
THE MARK OF AN ALPHA Kim Dare
71
Talbot nodded.
Then it s all settled. That wasn t so scary was it? Bennett teased.
The omega shook his head, offering his alpha a small smile in return.
Go and join the others, Bennett told him.
It took almost all the energy he had left to drag himself to his feet and turn to face
them all.
Marsdon smiled, but Bennett could tell he was seething beneath the forced calm. Still,
Marsdon held out a hand to him, welcoming him properly back to the pack. Bennett
somehow managed to step forward without hobbling. One painful step at a time, he made
his way across to the pack to his pack.
Bennett put his hand in Marsdon s and turned to the rest of the pack. Go back inside.
Clean yourselves up and get to bed. There s been more than enough excitement for one day.
He looked to the omega. Talbot you re responsible for coming to us and reporting on any
serious injuries that are discovered when the dirt is washed away.
The younger wolf nodded and went with the other wolves as they all turned and
made their way back into the house.
Marsdon was staring at him. Bennett ignored that, watching his pack walk away.
Steffan, purely because he had required more strength to take down, appeared to be
the most bruised out of them. Even so, Bennett noticed that he was the one who helped
Francis to his feet and made sure the smaller wolf had no injuries that would be made worse
by a walk back to the house.
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