Page 23 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

“Okay, don’t worry.”

As soon as I end the call, I absentmindedly stuff the crumpled card into my pocket and look at Shelby. “I’ll finish wiping down the tables. Do you mind locking up tonight? I’m needed at the animal shelter.”

“Of course!” Shelby seems a little too relieved, for some reason.

Ricky knows where I work because sometimes I bring him free coffee and leftovers from our bakery section. I’m drying the coffee pots when the taxi arrives.

“I’m leaving, Shelby!” I call out.

In response, the older woman hurries out of the kitchen, holding a bag. “Here. We have a lot left over.”

The smell of the beef buns makes my mouth water. Shelby has gone the extra mile and heated them up for me.

“You’re the best, Shelby.” I beam at her, feeling much better.

Grabbing my things, I make a beeline for the taxi waiting outside. Fortunately, there’s not much to pack for an annoyed Mano when I reach my apartment. But I slide my pajamas and a shirt into my bag. Ricky is waiting outside the shelter for me when the taxi finally arrives there, his arms crossed and anxiety radiating from every pore.

“You’re here.” He looks relieved. “Sorry, my sister’s baby. He’s not doing well. They’re both hospitalized, so I have to go.”

My eyes widen in shock. “Wait, what?”

“I have to go!” He gets in the taxi. “Thanks for this!”

I watch the car drive away, bewildered and concerned at the same time.

I don’t know much about Ricky, except that he owns this shelter. He’s mentioned his sister a couple of times, but I’ve never met her.

I hope everything turns out okay.

Carrying Mano’s crate, I walk inside and close the door. Ricky has left a note for me on the front desk.

Charlotte,

Everything is done. The animals are resting. You just need to feed the kittens according to their schedule. I just fed them. I’ve left a folding mattress in the back office for you in case you want to sleep.

Sorry, and thanks,

Ricky

A small smile on my lips, I set down the note and head to the bathroom to change into my pajamas, but not before opening Mano’s cat box. She’s been here plenty of times; she jumps out and explores the office, sniffing around. Putting my hair up in a messy bun, and feeling more relaxed in my loose pajamas, I check the fridge in the kitchen. It’s always stocked because Ricky likes to eat at night. I pour myself a glass of milk and warm it up before looking at all the baked goods I got from Shelby.

I select a beef bun and a pizza sandwich. Sitting in the back office, I have my dinner, trying not to think about the events of today. Now that I’ve been sufficiently distracted, my pessimism has begun to fade away. I’ll get through this. I always do. I won’t let some arrogant Alpha ruin my mood or my life. Besides, it won’t be the worst thing to actually leave this city. And I don’t even have to sell the apartment. I can just rent it out. Plus, if I can secure a job at some ranch or farm, Mano would love the freedom.

Feeling a little more bolstered, I snort. Robert Montgomery can go suck it. Just because I like the way he smiles doesn’t mean he’s any less of a jerk. I saved his life, and he’s repaying me by trying to kick me out of Portland. If he knew it was me who saved his life, I wonder if he’d be singing the same tune?

My expression grows dark.

Not that I can tell him. I don’t want to be dragged into this war between the two species.

I pick up my dirty plate and glass and wash them in the sink, my mind wandering. Angie did warn me that my future was uncertain. She seemed to be sure that there was something bad coming to Portland soon, and that I would find myself involved in it somehow.

Perhaps it would be for the best if I leave now. Now is as good a time as any. I don’t have much experience aside from waitressing and working in coffee shops as a barista. Perhaps I should give farmwork a try. I might even be good at it.

My lips curve as I chuckle at myself. The image of myself in overalls, hauling around a bale of hay, is a ridiculous sight, even in my own imagination, and most likely an exaggerated one. I should probably look up what kinds of jobs are available at a farm, though.

As I put the dishes aside to dry, I feel my heart becoming lighter.

I’ve always been adaptable. It was the only way I could survive after being thrown out of my home at such a vulnerable age. I had to protect myself against all kinds of predators that had human faces. But beneath the hurt and the fear was a desperate desire to live, to survive.

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