Page 54 of Alpha Theo

“Jump on three,” he says. “One… two…”

He must sense I’m nervous, because he reaches for my hand. It feels strange- and not only because my skin tingles where it comes into contact with his.

“Three.”

I let out a little scream as I push off, hopping onto the ground and finding my footing. Theo’s legs are so long that he basically just steps off the lift. He’s still got a hold on my hand and he tugs me forward, away from the lift, so we’re not whacked by the bench as it circles. My heart’s beating so fast.

As soon as we’re out of reach he lets go, shoving his hands in his pockets. He takes another step back and looks around.

“Well… whaddya think?”

I blink, steady my racing heart. Spin around to look at the view from the top of the mountain.

It’s breathtaking. I can see for miles- thick green trees, rocky cliffs. The peaks of snow-capped mountains in the distance with fluffy clouds wrapping around them. I grew up in Summervale, lived in the six-pack territory for my whole life, but I’ve never seen it like this before. The forest is sprawling, wild, beautiful.

I turn back to Theo, back to that intense hazel-eyed stare.

“It’s amazing,” I gush.

He chuckles, raking a hand through his hair again. “See? I told ya the ride would be worth it.”

I spin back around to take in the view. Theo moves closer to me- I can feel him looming over my left shoulder, smell his woodsy, masculine scent. He leans his head down beside mine and extends a hand, pointing. “See that break in the trees over there? That’s Summervale.”

My eyes follow where he points. “Yeah! I see it. It looks so… small from up here.”

He chuckles, and my breath catches in my throat as the deep sound of it vibrates beside my ear.

“It’s not so big from down there either, kid.”

“True,” I sigh.

I turn to glance at him over my shoulder and our faces are so close- inches apart. My eyes linger on his lips, then travel up to meet his. They’re alight with the coppery flecks of his wolf again. My own tries to push forward and I whip my head back around to look out at the view, drawing shallow breaths as I get my dang wolf under control.

Theo extends his arm and points again, this time to a rocky peak in the distance. “See where the rocks come above the trees over there?”

I nod.

“That’s pine mountain,” he murmurs. “I wanted to take you there, but you wouldn’t get on my bike.”

I spin around to face him, rolling my eyes.

A teasing smile tugs at his lips.

“Again with the motorcycle thing?” I ask, heaving a sigh. “I don’t know who in their right mind would get on the back of that bike with you, Theo.”

“Please,” he scoffs. “Plenty of girls would jump at the chance.”

And just like that, I’m anchored back in reality.

I wonder how many other girls he’s brought up here.

The walls I was letting down for him slam back up.

“I bet they would,” I say, folding my arms over my chest protectively and taking a step backwards. “Why don’t you take one ofthem, then?”

He smirks, rolls his eyes. Folds his arms over his chest to mirror my stance.

“Because I’d rather take you.”

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