The Pack's Hacker (by Cooper) novel Chapter 35

Jude

I’m not surprised that Riley and Courtney had a welcome home party for me. When you only come home once or twice a year, the pack gets excited to see you. And since our family has always been close, and I’m the only one who left, they’re always happy to see me when I come to visit.

This time, I would have rather stayed with Wendy. It’s not that I don’t trust the pack, but there are people, like Tyler, who will always push things.

As soon as I’d stepped away from Wendy, I pulled Riley aside.

“Either you talk to Tyler or I will. Trust me, if it’s me, he won’t like it,” I told him.

“I heard. I’ll handle it.”

“Make sure you do because I won’t hesitate to put my fist through his face.”

My brother gave me a knowing smirk. I’ve always been the laid back one in the family. It’s a luxury that Riley never had being the Alpha heir, and I know it. Me being possessive of Wendy only adds fuel to the idea that we're mates.

“Two months, my brother. I’m going to have Courtney make the plane reservations before you leave so we can be there for Wendy’s birthday. I can’t wait to see my brother fall to the mate bond.”

I grin before I'm pulled into another conversation.

Every time I look over at Wendy, there is someone different standing with her, either my mother or one of my sisters, but thankfully, she is never alone.

It isn’t until I see Talia talking to her that I once again feel like punching someone. Talia better not be trying to cause problems between me and Wendy. It didn’t escape my notice that she waited until it was Kira standing with Wendy.

“Alpha, tell us about your work out east,” one of Riley’s pack members says.

I pull my eyes away from Wendy and Talia, turning to the pack members who asked me about my work.

‘Kira, do I need to intervene?’ I ask in the mind link.

“Work is great. I love what I do,” I say to the pack members, gritting my teeth so I don’t snap at them. They’re not the ones I’m mad at.

“Apparently, my brother is out there literally saving lives,” Riley says proudly.

‘Talia is being Talia, but Wendy is holding her own. She's not at all intimidated by Talia. Wendy really is awesome, Jude,’ Kira says.

Thank the goddess.

I glance over and see Wendy smiling at Talia. Talia looks like she just sucked on a lemon. Good.

“Well, it’s a team effort, like I told Riley earlier. Our elite squads out east are incredible. I’m just part of an amazing team, that’s all,” I say to the pack members before moving on.

When I look again, Talia is gone and Isobel is back beside Wendy. They’re chatting away and Wendy looks calm and relaxed.

I’m so distracted that I don’t realize that Talia got in the queue to speak to me until she’s right in front of me.

“Jude,” she purrs. “Welcome home.” She reaches out to lay her hand on my chest, but I sidestep and avoid her touch.

“Thanks, Talia. I saw that you met Wendy. She’s amazing, isn’t she?” I ask, making sure she knows that she has absolutely NO chance of getting between me and my girl this week.

She gives me a fake smile. “She’s lovely.”

“Nice to see you,” I say and move on.

I glance at Wendy again. She’s watching Talia and has a smirk on her face. Good, I’m glad she saw me blow her off. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea. Talia is old news. Wendy is … well, I’m hoping Wendy is my future.

By the time I make my way through the pack, it’s late. I grab two glasses of wine and turn to find my girlfriend.

She’s standing across the courtyard talking to several pack members while Courtney stands beside her.

“Hey, baby,” I say, walking up and kissing her quickly before handing her a glass of wine.

“Thanks,” she says, taking a sip and refocusing on the people in front of her.

“Did you know your girlfriend is related to Alpha Quirin through marriage?” the pack member asks.

“I did, yes. I’ve met him. Believe me, the rumors are not exaggerated,” I say.

“Oh, Jude. I was just telling them that Quirin’s not as bad as people make him out to be,” Wendy says.

“Wendy, if someone threatened Luna Kennedy …” I begin.

“That’s different,” she says. “She’s his mate.”

“It’s not different. Trust me. He’s a very intense man and he’s someone you never want to cross,” I tell the pack members. “And goddess forbid you ever do anything to hurt his family. Plus, it’s not just him. Wendy has two brothers who are Alphas of their own packs. I know, Yorick is part of C-Squad,” I say before she can correct me. “But he is Alpha of his own pack. Then they have another Alpha who they all call their brother, and all of them are in an alliance. Then there’s her father who is about to take his seat on the East Coast Council, and don’t get me started on her mother and sisters. They’re all brilliant women,” I say.

By the time I finish, Wendy is beaming at me, making me feel like a fucking king.

“Wow! We figured you were special for Alpha Jude to bring you home, Alpha Wendy, but now we understand. You’ve been much too humble about your family,” a she-wolf says.

Wendy shrugs. “They’re my family. I guess I see them differently than others do. For me, they’re just the people that I love.”

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