Trace: Follow His Destiny by Jana Leigh

Trace just stepped back and looked confused. She was pretty and obviously a wolf. The height alone would have clued him into that. But what drew his attention was the fact that she was pregnant and still wore leggings and combat boots. A stethoscope hung around her neck and he could not figure out who she was. She looked like a cross between a biker and a doctor, maybe she was a biker playing doctor, he thought and laughed.
    Shane stepped forward and said, “Cloe, this is Trace. Trace, this is Cloe; she’s one of the Chosen. The medical advisor, her mates are Darien and Teagan; they should be around here somewhere. And this very pregnant one is Ruby; she is Levi and Reggie’s mate.” Ruby smiled and said, “Thanks, Shane, and only a few more weeks. I am so glad that I am a wolf and not a human, I would never survive 9 months of this.” Cloe laughed and said, “Yeah, well I am right behind you, if I could find a way to hurry it along I would.”
    Trace laughed with the women. “Do you need some help into the conference room?” Cloe shook her head and smiled. “No, but thanks. We have to raid the kitchen first.” Ruby laughed and rubbed her stomach. “Yeah, some jalapeño poppers are calling me.” The women laughed together and walked in the opposite direction from the conference room Shane had pointed out to him when they entered the building. Four men appeared at the top of the stairs frowning. Trace looked at them and automatically pointed in the direction that the women were headed, he recognized the worried spouse look they all wore. He smiled when they jogged down the stairs.
    Shane once again said, “Trace, this is Darien and Teagan, they’re Enforcers. Darien is Quin's younger brother.” He said and pointed to the tall men who were dressed exactly like their mate. He would have known who they belonged to anyway. “And this is Levi and Reggie, Levi is an Enforcer and Reggie’s one of the financial wizards of the Council.” He held out his hand to the two men who could not have been more different. Reggie was shorter and skinnier; he wore a bright aqua shirt and nice black pants. Levi was shorter than the other men, but had some huge muscles. He wore a tank top and a tight pair of jeans.
    “Trace,” he said and Teagan paused.
    “Shit, a cowboy. Now the girls are gonna buy us all cowboy hats.” Reggie laughed and put his hand to his hair and said, “Not over these locks.” The men laughed and went to find their mates. Shane shook his head and laughed.
    “Maybe you should be prepared for the women.”
    “Nah, I’m used to it.” Trace laughed and Shane shook his head.
    “I don’t think anyone could be that prepared for this group.” They walked back toward the conference room and Shane paused and put a hand on his arm. “You know I have to say this. Eagles are matriarchal, you know that. But you are gonna have to realize that the Council is led by the Pack. So just remain open minded.”
    “Hey, I realize that. And just so you know, I may have a woman leader, but I do have a dominant side too. I’m not a push over for women just because of my upbringing.” Shane laughed. “Me either, we just haven’t had a chance to talk.”
    “Yeah, if our mate is an eagle, she’ll have to get used to that.”
    “Agreed,” Shane said and they entered the conference room. Thankfully, the Alphas were still the only people in the room. Trace looked around and saw the large table. He counted the chairs and realized it was set for the whole Council. He felt a little more comfortable. This group had seemed very close and he was not sure of the reception he would receive. Now he knew he would be accepted. They had been waiting for him and his mates.
    “Alphas,” Shane said and stood straight.
    The two huge men turned to look at them. Trace smiled and saw their wolves in their eyes. Yep, all Alpha wolf, he thought. Their wolves had to be huge. He saw the small woman peek her head out from behind them and