Page 46 of The Billionaire Alpha's Assistant

Chapter Seventeen

Rafael

Three weeks later…

It’s the weekend before Christmas, and for the first time since I was a kid, I’m actually looking forward to it. The new SUV I bought for Alex is parked outside the chalet, which means my mate is waiting for me inside.

Pulling up behind it, I climb out and let myself in the front door. All the lights are on downstairs, and I smell . . . Chinese food. The spicy garlic and ginger notes mix with the scent that I know so well, and my wolf perks up.

I circle the downstairs, hunting for my mate. Alex has been working as a freelance reporter since she lost her job at The Beacon. The freedom and independence seem to suit her, but it means I’ve barely seen Alex all week. We both promised to take the entire week of Christmas off to spend some much-needed time together.

There’s another reason I’m eager to see her. I have a ring that’s been burning a hole in my pocket for a week and a half, and I’m desperate to get our evening started.

I have the whole night already planned. Drinks at The Snow Lodge. Dinner at Plato’s, after which we’ll take our own private gondola ride up the mountain for dessert under the stars. That’s where I’ll propose. I had to bribe a few of the resort workers, but it was worth it to have the beauty and majesty of the mountain to ourselves.

Thinking Alex must still be getting ready, I head for the stairs just as my mate appears at the top. Her delicious chocolate-and-caramel scent hits me full force, but there’s something different about it — a sweet, slightly salty musk that I’m not used to.

“Hey, kitten,” I say, grinning at the sight of her.

My smile falters when I catch a glimpse of her face. Her eyes are all red and puffy, and her cheeks are streaked with tears. She’s decidedly not dressed for dinner at Plato’s. She’s wearing one of my sweatsuits, and her hair is pulled into a messy bun. And yet, to me, she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my gut clenching with worry as I analyze her scent.

Is she sick? We shifters are immune to most illness and borderline indestructible, but my mate is a fragile human.

“W-we need to talk.”

At those four words, my concern morphs into panic, and I practically trip up the stairs to reach my mate. “What is it?”

“It’s . . . I . . .” Alex trails off, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she stares up at the ceiling. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?”

Pregnant.

My mate — pregnant with my pup?

Half a dozen thoughts fire off in my head.

Alex is pregnant. She’s carrying my pup. That’s why she smells so different.

This is the best news I’ve ever heard in my life. So why does she seem so upset?

“You’re pregnant?” I murmur.

Alex nods, fishing a rumpled tissue out of her pocket and blowing her nose with a sound like a foghorn. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what we planned —”

“Isn’t what —” I break off, shaking my head. “Why are you sorry? Kitten, this is the best news you could have given me.”

Alex blinks, her little red nose wrinkling adorably. “Really?”

“Yes!” I let out a bark of shocked laughter, running my fingers through my hair. Alex looks relieved. “I mean, I think it’s great. But how do you feel?”

“I-I’m not sure,” she stammers. “I only just found out. I-I was a few days late, so I took a test, and . . .” She pulls a watery smile. “It’s just . . . wow.”

“Wow,” I agree.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve been having my way with Alex for the last three weeks and not using any protection. I told her to go off the pill in the throes of passion, but I wasn’t sure she actually had.

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