Page 18 of Fated Alpha Protector

As soon as we’re spent, I scoop Mia into my arms and lay on the bed. Whatever just happened is so intense, that it’s only exhaustion left to be felt.

Stirring awake, I realize where I am when I feel a delicate weight on my arm. I open my eyes fully to find Mia sound asleep, her head resting on my arm.

In the aftermath of our passionate tryst, I realize what a mistake I’d made. Mia Alverez is the Omega of Blackclaw.

Not my fated mate.

As panic begins to rise like bile inside my throat, I carefully remove my arm from under her. Slowly enough not to wake her, I’m finally free and able to climb out of bed.

I don’t know what took over me. As I hang by the bed and stare down at Mia’s sleeping form, regret washes over me. I have no idea what I was thinking – acting like a brute with no moral compass.

Shivering with the thought, I slowly tiptoe out of the bedroom. Only sighing with relief when I’m outside the door. It’s like I breathe for the first time, releasing the pent-up breath I’d been holding in when I realized what I’d done.

Baser instinct. That’s all it was. Perhaps, subconsciously, I’d given up on the idea of finding my fated mate when Blackclaw offered the alliance through marriage. Deep down, I knew I had to give up that hope.

Still, this is the guilt that I didn’t want to feel. The burden on my shoulders now hangs heavy because I’ve made love to someone who isn’t my fated mate. A strong belief I’d upheld for twenty-four years, now crushed because of baser desires…

I’m a fool. A reckless fool who needs to get his priorities in order. Even now, I can’t marry the Blackclaw Omega in exchange for my sister’s marriage. Heck! I can’t marry anyone that isn’t my mate in exchange for my sister’s happiness.

Tormented by my plight, I steal away from Mia’s room, heading to mine. The only refuge I have for now is the four walls of my bedroom. I’ll find another distraction later.

Chapter 7

MIA

The distinct and pleasant tug between my thighs allows a smile to grow on my face. I stretch my arms above my head as I open my eyelids, and smile up at the ceiling.

Though I feel like I’m riding on cloud nine, I can’t help but feel like something is missing.

It’s only when I turn my face to the empty side of the bed that my smile disappears.

That’s the problem – it’s empty. The man responsible for the delicious sensation between my thighs isn’t there.

“Alpha Theo…?” I call out whimsically as I lift my weight to my elbows. I scan the room slowly from left to right, but there’s no indication of him. Frowning, I hike up the sheet just to make sure I hadn’t been dreaming.

The purplish bruises on my thighs serve as evidence of where his strong hands had been. That’s enough proof I need to know that I hadn’t been dreaming.

It’s even more heartbreaking, though. Sighing heavily, I fold my knees and hug them to my chest.

“Mia!” comes Ana’s cheerful voice from outside the bedroom door. “Are you awake?”

Sniffing back the tears I’ve been trying my best to hold back, I quickly dab my eyes with the balls of my palms. “Y-Yes,” I call out before clearing my throat. “I’m awake!”

The door comes flying in and Anastasia bounces in, dark hair flowing behind her like a veil. “Good morning!” she bleats as she flings a pink gift-wrapped package across the room. It lands at my feet on the bed.

“What’s this?” I ask with a light chuckle as I reach for the package.

Anastasia lifts a mischievous brow as she closes the door behind her. “It’s a brand new Summer dress for today’s adventures.”

“Adventures?”

She nods as she comes over toward the bed. “Yes! I’m gonna show you around Overton!”

I’m a bit reluctant to sight-see in Overton, but Anastasia assures me that I have nothing to worry about. According to her, she’d received strict instructions from the Alpha – her brother. We’re not to inform the others that I’m from Blackclaw.

With the knowledge that Alpha Theo spoke to his sister about me this morning, I’m filled with a deep sense of sadness. As we make our way out of the main house, there’s no sign of Theo around.

I’m about to ask Anastasia where he is when she grabs my wrist and pulls me along toward the meadow.

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