Page 24 of Fated Alpha Protector

Anastasia nods her acknowledgement before leaving. When she does, it's just me and Mia in the meadow.

The rising tension in the air only grows because of the silence that stretches. Still seeking that sweet scent, I turn my head slowly toward her, relief washing over me when I find the faint trace of her scent.

When our eyes meet, there's one thing I'm certain of. It's not as intense as it should be – at least, not as deep as Mom described it.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she's an Omega. Unlike Mom and Dad, who were both Alphas. Still, Mia's scent is sweet enough to recognize.

Her presence is powerful enough to enrapture my soul. To wrap the air around me like a warm embrace. Though I hadn't ever imagined that it would be with an Omega wolf, it's here, in the palm of my hand.

Mia Alvarez is my fated mate.

Tha acknowledgement comes with the realization that she also belongs to an enemy pack. But the heavy suspicion that she's not who she says she is still lingers.

It's almost… impossible that she's my fated mate if she's just an Omega.

With my mind and heart at war, I grab Mia's wrist and pull her close to me. She startles with a gasp as her chest goes flush against mine.

“Alpha Th–”

“Shhh!” I command, pressing a finger to her lips to keep her quiet. The warm, plushness of her lips infuriate me with the intense desire to kiss her.

That baser desire wins over, and I remove my finger from her lips. Replacing it with a crushing kiss, I'm desperately devouring her lips.

Goddess…

I have no idea what I'm doing. Just that it feels right. Perfect, if perfection was an attainable feature in this lifetime.

Before, I could only imagine that perfection would be found in a fated mate bond.

That's exactly what's going on here.

Breaking the kiss only to stare into her eyes, she's still a stranger.

“Who are you?” I ask through hot pants of breaths.

Who are you?” I ask with enough ferocity in my voice to have her shuddering. She tries to pull back from me, but the force of my hands keeps her cemented to the spot.

“Wh-what do you mean?” she whispers with a frown, shoulders quivering with fear. “I’m Mia.”

I shake my head fervently, denying what I already know. It’s the unknown I’m not sure about. Uncertain if my feelings are right. If my instinct is guiding me in the right direction.

It’s never led me astray before. Even now, staring deeply into Mia’s eyes, I’ve never been more sure of this.

She is my fated mate. It makes sense.

“I know your name, Mia,” I purr, leaning into her face. Her breath hitches in her throat as she stares back with wide eyes. “But who are you?”

The fear that crosses Mia’s eyes is powerful enough to fill me with remorse. She wrestles against my grip until I free her from my clutches.

Her brows furrows with accusation as she steps back, hands smoothing her arms where I’d been holding her.

“You’re scaring me…” she croaks as she keeps moving backward.

Scaring her?

The notion is unfathomable, considering what I’ve just discovered. Shaking my head slowly, I follow her, reaching out one hand.

“Mia…” I beckon gently, hoping she’d stop being afraid. “Listen to me…”

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