Page 55 of Alpha Gray

I shoot Theo a death-glare as a low growl starts in my chest.

Theo just laughs, pushing at my arm. “Oh calm down, bro, I was kidding. You sure she’s not your girl, though? Seems like your wolf has staked a claim.”

“I don’t let my wolf control me,” I mutter, bringing my beer bottle to my lips and downing half of it. I shove my wolf down, though I’m still pissed off at Theo’s comment. He’d better stay far away from Fallon if he knows what’s good for him.

“I still think she could me your mate,” Reid says, shrugging. I shoot a glare in his direction and he holds up his hands in surrender, eyes wide. “Hey, man, I’m just sayin’. A friend of mine found his mate and said he thinks he knew before the bond even snapped in on the full moon. Said he felt like the universe was pulling him to her, or some shit.”

Theo lets out a laugh. “That’s a load of bullshit, man! I’ve felt the universe pull me to a lot of females before- they weren’t my mate, I just needed to get laid.”

Jax laughs along with Theo, offering him a fist-bump.

I pick at the label on my beer bottle, my mind racing. I have such a strong magnetic attraction to Fallon-could she be my mate?I didn’t really allow myself to consider it before, but what Reid said does make some sense. The mate bond doesn’t snap into place unless you’re in proximity under a full moon, but maybe there are signs before then.

Reid rolls his eyes at Theo and Jax. “Brock, back me up here, man.”

Brock shakes his head, scowling. “I’m with Theo on this one. You can be attracted to someone… hell, you can even love someone, and it doesn’t mean they’re your mate.”

There’s so much bitterness behind Brock’s words. He got burned when he fell hard for a girl and fate gave her a different mate. He had to accept it, but he hasn’t been the same since.

“That’s the thing,” Jax says, pointing his beer bottle in Brock’s direction. “You and Annalise were so good together, and she wasn’t your mate. How the hell are any of us supposed to know what the mate bond is supposed to feel like if we’ve never experienced it?”

“Keep sniffing around on the full moon and hope we stumble upon it, I guess,” I mutter.

It seems colossally unfair that the mate bond is only able to snap together on the full moon, like fate is playing a game of roulette with our lives. I can’t allow myself to hope that Fallon’s my mate since the chances of that manifesting are so damn slim. It’s like a one in a million shot- hell, some wolves never find their fated mate. I’d all but given up on finding mine, until that leggy blonde stepped off the bus at training camp and turned my world upside down.

“Well, there’s only one way you’re gonna know for sure, Gray,” Reid says, stirring me from my thoughts. “You’ve gotta get her to stay for the next full moon.”

“And hope someone else doesn’t snake her from you first,” Theo adds.

I turn and deliver a jab to his arm, but Theo just laughs it off, shoving me back. “I wasn’t talking about me, lover boy.” He tips his head in the direction of the bar and I look over to see Fallon standing in front of it, resting one elbow on the bar top.

I already knew she was here- my wolf sensed her when she walked in, but I hadn’t seen her yet. She looks like a fucking dream in a tight, sky blue dress- the color reminds me of her little workout shorts that I’m so fond of. Her long blonde hair is down, hanging loose around her shoulders, which is a rarity. She’s stunning, as always, and I know it’s cliché, but the sight of her tonight takes my breath away.

Then I pick up on what Theo was insinuating. Judd is standing across from her, chatting her up, and judging by the smiles they’re both sporting, it must be a good conversation. My wolf snarls, pushing to the surface again, but I shove him back down, focusing on staying grounded in rational thought.

They’re just talking.We agreed to keep things casual, so I don’t have any say in what Fallon does or who she talks to.

I turn back around, trying my best to keep my cool. I shrug, picking up my beer and downing the rest of it. It takes a great deal of effort to hold myself back from looking over at her again. I’m annoyed, on edge… because I’m fuckingjealous. I don’t want any other male in Fallon’s space, stealing her attention.

Guess it’s not just my wolf who wants her all to himself.

So much for casual.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Fallon

I’m pretty sure Judd’s trying to flirt with me. When he spotted me at the bar, he basically made a beeline in my direction and has focused his attention on me ever since. Not that I mind, of course- it’s nice to be complimented- but Judd was the last person I expected to hit on me tonight. He’s got alpha energy in that he’s pretty arrogant and full of himself, and from what I’ve seen he’s got a type- he’s only shown interest in the quieter, smaller, more dainty girls at camp. I’m none of those things. I’m slender, but I’m tall and toned, and I’m far from quiet.

Judd’s an attractive guy- he’s bulky and muscular like Davis and he’s got shaggy light brown hair and boyish good looks. His fighting skills make him even more attractive in my book; the dude’s a beast and has consistently stayed near the top of the rankings. He’s probably one of the hottest guys at training camp, but I haven’t paid much attention to that since I’ve been wrapped up in Gray.

“The way you kept on fighting even after Carter broke your leg was incredible to watch,” Judd says, tossing back the rest of his drink. I can smell the whiskey on his breath as he speaks.

“I didn’t really have a choice,” I shrug. “I’m not a quitter.”

“Clearly.” Judd grins, inching closer to me. “When I saw that fire, that determination… I knew I had to get to know you better.”

Yep, he’s flirting. I guess I should feel flattered? I mean, I’m not interested, but plenty of other girls would be. I don’t know how to respond, so I just raise my glass to my lips, finishing off the rest of my vodka cranberry.

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