Page 13 of Alpha Reid

“Listen man, don’t take this the wrong way, but we still don’t know if we can trust her,” Gray says calmly. “She was with them for what, six weeks? Who knows what happened to her or how they twisted her.”

“She’s a fucking victim, Gray,” I scowl. “And my mate. She deserves a chance.”

“We aren’t saying not to give her a chance,” Brock interjects. “We respect the fact that she’s your mate, and we’ll defer to you when it comes to her. It’s just something you need to keep in mind.”

I heave a sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “You think I don’t know that?”

The fact is, these guys don’t need to remind me to stay on guard when it comes to Serena. While I’ve been open to her since we met, part of me has also remained cautious, navigating the delicate balancing act between wanting to embrace her as my mate and remaining wary of her true intentions. Knowing what she’s been through, though, it’s hard not to see her as innocent, and the urge to comfort and take care of my mate is so strong.

“Like you said before, she’s my responsibility,” I say, folding my hands on the table in front of me. “I’m fine with that. But I’m not gonna keep her hidden away here at the packhouse until we ride out this shadow pack conflict. I want her to be a part of my life, and that includes spending time up at the complex.” I look around to the others, gauging the reactions on their faces. “Are you guys gonna be okay with that?”

Slowly, each of them nods in affirmation, and I blow out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

“Alright, enough heavy shit for now,” Jax sighs, pushing back in his chair and rising to stand. “Anyone else need another?” He holds up his empty beer bottle, gesturing around the table.

“Yeah,” I grunt, wincing as I rub my temple. My whole body’s tense- I need another fucking run to let it out.

Jax heads into the kitchen, going straight for the fridge to retrieve more beers.

“Hey Jax?” I call, angling back in my chair so I can see around the refrigerator door.

He closes it, hands full of beers as he glances my way with a brow raised in question.

I smile halfheartedly. “While you’re at it, why don’t you grab the whiskey.”

CHAPTER SIX

Serena

As I stare down at the array of shopping bags covering the entirety of the large bed, I can’t help but have mixed emotions. Most girls would be falling all over themselves at a gesture like this, right? But I guess I’m not most girls.

I know I should be grateful for Reid’s thoughtfulness and generosity, but part of me rebels against being taken care of like this, determined to prove to the world that despite what I’ve been through, I’m not a victim and I can take care of myself. So instead, as I take in the overindulgence spread out on the bed before me, I’m just racked with guilt. I feel guilty for harboring resentment rather than gratitude, and I feel guilty for being on the receiving end of Reid’s kindness once again, because I sure as hell don’t deserve it.

I’m still thrown by this whole fated mates thing and still don’t have a clue what I’m going to do about it. I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t get too close to Reid, that it’ll just be another heartbreak… but then he gives me one of thoselooksof his and I wanna catch on fire. The one he was giving me a minute ago from the doorway still has me a bit hot and bothered.

I do my best to ignore my body’s natural reaction to that look, to pretend that he doesn’t affect me like he does. Act like my heart’s not beating fast and my body isn’t ablaze with excitement and anticipation for a touch, a kiss, another look, anything I can get from him. I push aside some of the bags cluttering the top of the bed, sinking down onto the edge and pulling one into my lap. Reaching inside and rifling through the contents, I attempt to distract myself from those thoughts I shouldn’t be having.

The sound of the doorbell startles me, my body jolting and my breath catching in my throat. I freeze, listening to Reid’s heavy footfalls on the hardwood floor as he travels to the front door and I hear him pull it open. There’s a female voice, though I can’t quite make out the words that are spoken between her and Reid, then the commotion of several sets of footsteps ascending the stairs. Anxiety coils in my gut as I hear them making their way closer to the open doorway of my room, and I have to talk myself off the edge a little- because surely, Reid wouldn’t allow just anyone into his packhouse. Whoever they are, he must trust them.I’m not in danger.

I’m drawing deep breaths and looking toward the doorway expectantly when a tall blonde girl comes into view, California beautiful with a dazzling smile stretching her lips.

“Knock knock!” she calls out, rapping her knuckles against the doorframe and peering into the room at me.

I push the shopping bag off of my lap and hop up from the edge of the bed, giving her an awkward little wave. Another girl pushes into the doorway beside her- and either my eyes are playing tricks on me, or the two of them are identical twins. The second girl is wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, which must either be worn to differentiate her from her sister or as a fashion choice given the fact that shifters have perfect eyesight. Considering the whole punk rock nerd look she’s got going on, I’m guessing it’s the latter.

“Hi!” the glasses-wearing twin greets, her bright smile matching her sister’s “You must be Serena.”

I can’t help but return her smile, giving her a little nod. “That’s me.”

The twins advance into the room, two other girls appearing in the doorway behind them- one of them a leggy brunette with striking hazel eyes, the other petite with caramel skin and bouncy light brown curls. All four of these women are impossibly gorgeous, and I’m feeling a little self-conscious as I stand across from them with tangly, windblown hair, dressed in borrowed clothes that don’t fit quite right.

“Sorry for barging in like this, we’re just so excited you’re here!” the little curly-haired one chirps enthusiastically. She must be able to read the confusion on my face because she quickly goes on to elaborate. “You met our mates this morning. I’m Astrid, and this is Quinn, Brooke, and Fallon,” she says, pointing to each of the other girls as she names them off.

“Nice to meet you all,” I breathe, smoothing my hair with a hand and stepping closer. “Are you part of Reid’s pack, or…”

“No, not exactly,” Quinn chuckles, shaking her head.

“We’re all mated to alphas, like you,” Fallon supplies. “The other alphas of the six-pack. Or future alphas, in Brooke and Quinn’s case.”

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