Page 102 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

“What sink?”

I turn to face him again. “The one in the bathroom where she was throwing up. It was cracked.”

As I speak the words out loud, I realize how ridiculous I sound. “Never mind. It must have been like that before.”

Ricky is silent, and I leave.

The scene I found in the bathroom eats at me as we drive home. Charlotte is leaning her head against the window and is fast asleep. She’s so drained that when I pick her up and carry her inside, she doesn’t even stir. I don’t like seeing her in another man’s clothes, but as my fingers itch to remove them, I force myself to stop. I don’t want her to wake up and feel violated in any way.

“Suck it up,” I mutter to myself as I tuck the blanket around her. I get settled on the other side of the bed, on top of the sheets. I don’t want to leave her alone tonight. But I also don’t think getting into bed beside her while she’s out like a light is a good idea. Sitting there, propped up against the headboard, I find myself stroking Charlotte’s hair as she sleeps.

My heart is heavy as I finally let the events of this evening come over me.

Terrence’s words, the conversation they had, the things he offered her are making me anxious.

He wasn’t wrong. He can give her everything she wants. If she decides she wants the type of stability only her own kind can give her…

My lips press together into a thin line. But, I remind myself, she doesn’t want him.

I don’t think Terrence is going to give up, though. From everything Charlotte told me about him and what he said tonight, he does want her.

I rub my hands over my face, feeling agitated.

Charlotte’s only resistance is about going back to her clan. What if Terrence removes that obstacle? What if he decides to leave the clan for her? He can give her so much that I can’t.

A conflict-free relationship.

Children.

A family.

I’m sure he’ll support her dreams to be a vet, too. He seems to be willing to do anything to get Charlotte back. I don’t know if she’s realized that the proposal wasn’t just a half-assed attempt to get her to go back to the clan. I could hear the emotion in his voice. His feelings are obvious to me.

Thus far, I haven’t had competition for Charlotte’s heart, but the rival who has suddenly popped up is a far better candidate than I am, and I don’t know how to deal with it.

How can I win against someone who can give Charlotte everything she could ever dream of?

What if she decides to go with Terrence?

My wolf is raging inside me, upset and angry at this intruder who is taking our woman away from us. But I can’t handle this situation with brute force. I need to be smart. If I want to hold on to Charlotte, I’ll have to play the long game.

I just have to figure out how far I’m willing to go to keep Charlotte by my side.

After all, I’m madly in love with this woman.

Chapter 21

Charlotte Sanguinite

I’m warm and comfortable when a thudding sound has me stirring.

My brows wrinkling, I bury my face in Robert’s chest, wanting the annoying sound to stop. However, it’s like a consistent drum, refusing to take a break.

Wait…Robert’s chest?

My eyes fly open, and I realize I’m in my room, but I’m not alone on the bed. Robert is holding me in his arms, his eyes closed, his breathing deep.

What is he doing in here?

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