Page 31 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

My eyes narrow.

This little brat.

Before I can say anything, an icy smell reaches my nose.

“Charlotte, why don’t you take these inside?” I suggest, keeping my voice pleasant. I pick up the two bags and hand them over to her in the doorway before she can protest.

She shoots me a look but thankfully doesn’t say anything. As she goes inside, I hand the boy the money, including his tip. “Where exactly is this restaurant?”

“Down the road,” he glances behind me, probably looking for Charlotte. “I was still talking to her.”

“Go.” I put my hands on his shoulders and whirl him around. “Walk.”

He huffs, and I advise in a low voice, “If I were you, I would run, kid. There was a stray dog out here earlier. He didn’t look too friendly.”

Fred looks around anxiously. “You’re not kidding?”

“Do I look like I would joke around with you? Now, go.”

He hightails it out of there, and I walk to stand in the middle of the street, my eyes on him. I see him round the bend, and then a minute later, I hear the slam of a door. I smell no blood.

My gaze darts around.

I can feel the eyes on me.

Someone is watching.

By the smell of it, it’s a vampire.

Chapter 7

Charlotte Sanguinite

Robert Montgomery is a strange, strange man.

For an Alpha, he’s a little too easy-going. Or is it a facade?

I can’t really tell.

However, he’s nice to me. I like him because he adopted Zeno on the spot, simply because he wanted to give the dog a home.

“You daydreaming?” Jazz snaps her fingers in front of me, making me blink.

“What?” I look at her.

“I’ve been calling your name for two minutes.” Jazz hands me a slip. “One choco frappe and a cappuccino.”

“Sorry,” I wince.

I can feel her eyes on me as I get to work. “You’ve been in a weirdly happy mood these days. Found a boyfriend?”

I flush. “No! One of the puppies at the shelter I volunteer at got adopted three days ago.”

Jazz looks unconvinced. “You’re so giddy because of that?”

It’s mostly that. Zeno has found himself a good home. Mixed breed dogs like him don’t usually get adopted that easily. With the way Robert was asking so many questions, I know he’ll take good care of the puppy. And I saw the joy in Zeno’s eyes. It was love at first sight.

“Leave her alone,” Gina chuckles. “You know how Charlotte loves her animals. Although, I did hear an interesting tidbit from Shelby…”

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