Page 12 of Return of the Alpha

I didn’t scent himwhen he walked into the bar because there are so many people inhere, not to mention all the other smells. Alcohol, smoke, food,and sweat cling to the air. But I know my mate the moment I hearhis voice, even if I’ve never seen his face.

“I don’t need yourhelp,” I say to the man behind me.

“You’re mine,” hegrowls lowly. “I protect what’s mine.”

“Stay out of it, oldman,” my wannabe dance partner interjects, sneering. “I don’t wantto have to hurt you.”

I laugh loudly,handing my drink to my would-be mate, before I grab the wrist ofthe hand still holding onto my arm, and with the flick of my wristsnap the bone. The attractive man falls to his knees with a shriekso loud it can be heard over the music. I stare down at him with asneer.

“I said, I don’twant to dance.” Turning, I stare at my mate. His hair and beard aregrey and white, long, and overgrown. He is so much taller than Iam, towering over me, his muscles tense as he watches me closely. Igrab my drink from his hand. “And you.” I poke a finger in thecenter of his chest. “I am not yours. I belong to no one. And I cantake care of myself.”

Chapter Six

James

I watch her walkaway from me to rejoin her friends, her full ass swaying with everystep. She is wearing a pair of light-blue jeans that look like theywere painted onto her skin, with cowboy boots. I want to saysomething, but words escape me.

She is right. Shedoesn’t belong to me, not yet. And I shouldn’t assume she can’ttake care of herself. The world has changed in the years I havebeen locked up and it seems women no longer depend on men to takecare of their well-being.

Which makes completesense if men like Slade and the idiot at my feet are running aroundunchecked now. Apparently, chivalry is dead.

Taking a seat at thebar with Max, Caine, and Calum, I breathe deeply as I calm not onlymyself but my beast as well. They brought me out here so I couldsee with my own eyes that the females—myfemale—was safe. Now we are all justsitting here nursing beers and waiting for the women to decide whenthey want to leave. They are steadfastly ignoring us from the otherend of the smokey room, enjoying their impromptu little party.

“She’s something,”Max says, tilting his head in April’s direction. “Strong.”

“Yes, she is,” Ireply. “They all are. It makes me sad to think of what they’ve hadto live through to make them that way, though.”

“Each of them hastheir own story,” Calum says thoughtfully. “She’ll tell you herseventually.”

“Maybe.”

“Why do you sounduncertain?” Calum asks. “She’s your mate.”

“She isn’t, though.She won’t look at me or talk to me, unless she is chewing me out,so I doubt she is just going to accept me. And she sure as shitdidn’t appreciate me trying to help her.”

I track my daughteras she approaches before she takes a seat on her mate’s lap. “Whyare you here?” she asks no one in particular.

“Just checking onyou, my moon,” Caine says, kissing her neck.

She shakes her headbut smiles. “I suppose we’re ready to go home. Sapphire is drunkand I’m not far behind.”

Calum and Maxdisappear instantly, going to find their mates.

“Will you drive thewomen home?” Peyton asks and I swear I can see mischief burning inher gaze. “My mate and I have other plans.”

I don’t ask becauseI am sure I don’t want to know, and driving the other three femalesback to the compound gives me the chance to spend time with April.Even if we will have company.

Peyton doesn’t waitfor my answer before grabbing Caine’s hand and dragging him out ofthe bar. Turning I find my mate watching me but she quickly divertsher gaze the moment she sees me watching her. That’s the first goodsign I’ve had since I scented her.

Weaving between thepeople on the dance floor, I make my way to their table in theback.

“I’m your ride,” Isay softly.

“Fine,” she huffs,grabbing the hand of a blonde women who stumbles in her heels.“Let’s go home.”

I watch and waitpatiently as they gather their things and head outside.

“I assume you’redriving my Jeep,” the blonde woman says with a hiccup. “Why iseveryone always driving my car?”

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