Page 50 of My Shy Alpha

“Wow, you smell so nice! So woodsy and sweet!”

My smile wavers by the second. How the hell do I respond to that? Am I supposed to sniff her too?

I’m not ready for sniffing, so I give a polite laugh and blurt out an automatic response. “You too!” Rainn’s eyebrows lift just as I remember she last told me I smell woodsy and sweet, and I haven’t even smelled her. “Um - from here!”

Noah bites his lips, suppressing laughter. He wraps his sturdy arm around my waist, and my heart flutters.

“Rainn, we’ll be seeing you soon to hang out for longer, but I’ve gotta get my mate home.”

“Wait, has she met Mom yet?”

Noah puts a protective hand on my shoulder, urging me in another direction. Multiple wolves walk with us, and the unspoken pressure on Noah hangs over me. He’s clearly trying to gain some personal space, but wolves circle him constantly.

Noah lowers his voice. “Not yet. But she will.”

“Hmm... Okay...” Rainn fiddles with her purse strap. “Maybe you both should... Take a look around first...”

My stomach sinks. Did I do something weird already?

But Noah squeezes me closer, enveloping me in his protective scent. Rainn raises her eyebrows with a teasing smile, unphased by his deepening scowl.

“I know what you’re thinking, Rainn. I’m not ashamed of my mark,” Noah grumbles.

“I didn’t say anything about the mark!” Rainn gasps, yanking on her brother’s arm. Then she smirks at me. “That mark is pretty metal, though. You’ve got guts, Omega. I like you already.”

My shoulders soften in relief. “Thanks.”

Noah lets out a soft, clear laugh. I melt into its sound, holding his hand tighter.

“My mate is pretty metal. Especially beneath the surface,” he says.

Rainn winks. “Then you two sound like a perfect match. Have fun!” With a giggle at our reddened cheeks, Rainn turns to the lingering wolves and bellows far louder than I expect from such a petite body. “Who’s ready for dinner?”

She lets out another bright laugh when she’s swarmed with attention. Rainn gives Noah one last smile, softening his eyes into genuine warmth, and I realize she announced that just to relieve him for the night. The second she disappears behind a crowd of hungry wolves, Noah releases a heavy breath.

“She’s a sweetheart, and so damn cute,” I say.

“Y-yeah? You like her?”

I giggle at Noah’s hopeful smile, nuzzling into his arm. “I do, my shy Alpha. Hopefully I can get a chance to talk to her longer soon. As well as your mom.”

He drops my stare. “Soon.”

Oh, great. Something’s up with him and his mom.

Noah seems as drained as I am as we drive a winding forest road to his home, huddled in Dave’s back seats. I can’t tell if it’s just an assumption of mine or if there’s a hint of sadness in our bond.

I nuzzle my forehead into Noah’s chest. How are you feeling?

Noah’s abdomen softens beneath my palm. Tired. I’m sure you’re exhausted though, with all you’ve been through.

When he holds my head against his chest to kiss it, our bond lightens.

But I don’t think he gave me the full truth. Noah strikes me as an extremely private wolf, so I’ll have to check in when we’re alone.

The sun disappears beneath the horizon, the sky’s soft purple glow fading into indigo by the time we pull up in front of Noah’s home. His cabin is more of a lodge. Rich wooden panels line the sizeable structure in a cherry warmth against the cool night sky. We’re so secluded from the neighboring town that there are even more stars here than at my parents’ old cabin, glittering across the sky like a gentle nightlight.

“This is beautiful, Noah.”

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