Page 15 of Return of the Alpha

We eat in silence,both enjoying the meal she has prepared for us.

“I would apologize,”I say. “But I’m not sorry.”

“There’s nothing toapologize for,” she says with another blush. “It’s a naturalreaction, isn’t it?”

“It is.” I nod. “AndI am trying to behave myself, but some things are out of mycontrol.”

She shakes her headwith a chuckle before the silence closes in around us. One wouldthink it would be uncomfortable because we don’t really know eachother, but it’s not. It’s more like spending time with someone whohas known you for years.

“How old are you?” Iask.

“Twenty-one,yesterday.”

“Fuck.” I rub myhand down my face. “You’re still a baby.”

She frowns at me,and I can see her temper start to flare. “And you’re old.”

“I didn’t mean itthat way, April. I just meant that…”

“It doesn’t matter,”she says, standing, and taking our plates to the basin beforerinsing them off. “I knew this would never work.”

“What do youmean?”

“I mean,” she saysspinning on me with a glare. “I’m at least half your age, yourdaughter is my friend, and I’m a fucking panther. Everything aboutthis situation is against us.”

Her words land likeblows and my anger spikes with each. Not because she is wrong butbecause she is probably right, and I don’t want to fucking hearit.

It only takes me amoment to move from my seat at the table until I am in front ofher. My left hand firmly grasps her hip while my right threadsthrough her hair and pulls her head back before I kiss her.

****

April

I wasn’t expectingany of the things he would do. One moment he is sitting at thetable that looks too small with him there, and the next he iskissing the sense out of me. His hand on my hip has a firm grip buthe isn’t hurting me.

No, he is awakeningfeelings I didn’t even know I had. His kiss is deep and brutal,savage, just like the man before me. It’s soul-consuming and I knowI will never be the same after this.

Just as quickly asit started, it is over, and I am left trying to remain upright.James is standing against the opposite wall, his hands fisted as hefights his animal for dominance. I see the magic shimmer and hiswolf pressing against his skin, but he is able to fight him back,dominating his animal into submission. Barely.

Both of us arebreathless, our chests heaving as we stare at each other.

“Don’t for onesecond think I am going to give you up without a fight, April,” hesays lowly, a growl building in his chest. “The only reason I don’tbend you over that table and fuck you senseless is because I knowyou’ll kick my ass for it. You are my mate and eventually I willclaim you. But I will wait until you come to me.”

He doesn’t let mesay a word before he strides out of my house, leaving me confusedand aroused. A moment later the howl of a wolf rips through theentire compound and I know he has finally given his animal the freereign it has been craving.

I want to follow himbut I know he is trying to protect me by keeping his animal at bayuntil we are fully mated. His animal won’t be as lenient with me ifhe catches me.

I feel like an utterbitch for everything I said but it’s the truth and I can’t stop thethoughts replaying in my mind. I am too young for him. Add in thefact that we are two different species and it’s clear we don’tbelong together.

I just can’t figureout why the Goddess would see fit to give me a mate and then makeit impossible for us to be together.

My heart hurts and Irub at the center of my chest. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t giveto have James in my life and in my bed. I don’t want to give up onmy mate, I just need to figure out how to keep him.

Chapter Eight

James

I run.

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