Page 77 of Alpha Reid

I suddenly scent the saltiness of tears, watching in horror as Serena’s big blue eyes fill with them.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek as panic sets in. “I shouldn’t have done that without asking, I’m so sorry baby…”

Serena shakes her head, a smile coming to her lips as tears stream down her cheeks. “No, I’m not upset,” she laughs through her tears. She takes my face in both hands, bringing hers closer to mine as she buries her fingers in the scruff of my beard. “I’ve never been so happy.”

When she says those words, it feels like my heart bursts in my chest. My fears and doubts evaporate with her confirmation that she feels this, too. She’s in it as much as I am.

“I’ve never been happier than I am right now,” I murmur, stroking her cheek with my thumb.

She pulls my face to hers, crushing her lips against mine. The kiss conveys everything that words can’t in that moment- the desperation, the desire, the relief. As our lips move against each other’s, all I can think about is how fucking lucky I’d be to be able to do this for the rest of my life, with her.My mate.

We sit there for a little while longer together, totally blissed out and in our own little world. I’m not sure which of us allows reality to creep back in first, but eventually we get cleaned up and put our clothes back on and actually do settle in to watch a movie, sipping on the rest of the wine and snuggling on the couch. I never really thought of myself as a ‘snuggly’ person, but snuggling with Serena? Pretty damn great. Ten out of ten.

After the movie, we head upstairs to bed. We’ve been sleeping together in my room lately, and I fucking love having Serena in there to fall asleep with every night and wake up to every morning. I lie on my back and she curls into my side, resting her head on my chest and idly trailing her fingers over my abs. I stroke my own fingertips down her back, tracing little circles up and down her spine. This is my favorite time of day with her- when we just lay like this together.

“You’re not having any regrets, are you?” Serena mumbles against my chest.

Her question takes me by surprise. I peer down at her, furrowing my brow in confusion. “Regrets about what?”

She blows out a breath, eyes darting away. “Marking me.”

I sit up a little and shake my head in disbelief. “Why would I regret that?”

“I don’t know,” she says quietly, shrugging. Her eyes finally come to mine, uncertainty in her gaze. “I know I’m a catch and all, but I come with a lot of baggage. A sister and a pack held hostage, a stubborn streak a mile long. And you’re…”

“I’m what?” I challenge, and it comes out a little harsher than I mean it to. I just don’t like hearing her talk about herself like this or second-guess things between us. Especially not after the night we just had together.

“You’re fucking perfect, Reid,” Serena blurts, shaking her head.

I narrow my eyes on her, baffled by her sudden bout of insecurity. “You’re joking, right?”

She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, giving another little shake of her head.

I heave a sigh, settling back down on the bed and pulling Serena in tighter to my chest. “Babe, I’m far from perfect,” I breathe, stroking her hair back from her face. “Trust me.”

“That’s not what everyone else thinks,” she grumbles. “They all wonder why fate put someone like you with someone like me.”

“Because we’re fucking made for each other,” I growl, looking down at her and tipping her chin up so her eyes meet mine. “Don’t ever question that, Serena. And who cares what anyone else thinks? I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. To me, you’re perfect.”

“See!” she exclaims, heaving a sigh. “Who else would say something like that other than the perfect man?”

I roll my eyes, reaching up to pinch the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger and squeezing them shut. “Where’s all this coming from, Red? Areyouhaving regrets?”

“No,” she blurts, shaking her head adamantly. “Not at all.”

“Then what’s going on?” I gaze down at her again, stroking her hair back. “Talk to me.”

Serena blows out a breath, her brows drawn together in agitation as she stares past me blankly. “I’m just… I don’t know, I guess I’m freaking out over this whole war that’s coming. It’s got me questioning my reality.” Her gaze shifts to meet mine. “I’m scared, Reid. Not for the battle, but the outcome. I’m scared of what’ll happen here, and with my sister and my pack. And now, I’m scared of losing you.”

I swallow hard, stroking Serena’s back soothingly. I wish I could chase away all of her fears, but the truth is, I have them, too. I’d be a fool not to. “I’m not going anywhere,” I say reassuringly, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “You don’t have to worry about that. Nothing’s going to happen to either of us.”

“How can you be so sure?” she murmurs, her lips moving against my chest as she speaks.

“Would fate really be cruel enough to bring us together like this, only to tear us apart?”

She looks up at me and the hint of a smile graces her lips, her eyes rolling.

I press another kiss to her forehead. “It’s you and me, always.”

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