Page 108 of Alpha Chase

Chase’s expression softens and he closes the distance between us, scooping his arms around my waist and pulling me in. “I get it,” he sighs, burying his nose in my hair. “I just hate the thought of you potentially putting yourself in harm’s way if you’re called in to track a rogue or something.” He pulls back to look into my eyes, gently tucking my hair behind my ears with his fingertips. “I can’t fucking lose you, Vienna. You’re the best thing in my life.”

Is it hot in here? Because I’m fucking melting.

I give a little shake of my head, placing a palm on his chest over his heart. “You won’t lose me, Chase. I’m tougher than I look.”

“I know,” he grumbles, trailing his hands down the sides of my waist. “You’re the toughest, most badass chick I know, but…” he moves his palm to rest against my belly, sighing, “not even you’re bulletproof.”

“Don’t I know it,” I mutter, gritting my teeth at the too-fresh memory of a bullet lodged in my stomach right beneath where his hand is resting. I blow out a breath, pushing up to my tiptoes to drape my arms around his neck. “And you know I’m just as crazy about you, ya big lug. Why else would I agree to flip the bird to fate and seal a chosen mate bond with you?”

What we’re about to do is undeniably crazy, but then again, that’s who we are- and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. What Chase and I share is the most raw, gritty,realthing I’ve ever known, and it may seem absolutely insane for us to be jumping in with both feet like this, but after a life of uncertainty, forever sure has a nice ring to it. I stare into his eyes intently, conveying everything that’s in my heart through my gaze. “You’ve got me hook, line, and sinker, Chase Walker. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Damn right you’re not,” he murmurs, dipping down to crush his lips against mine. My knees go weak as his tongue pushes past the seam of my lips, his big hands roaming my body reverently. I’m lost in his kiss when he suddenly pulls back, gazing down at me with his brow arched. “You’re still gonna move in here with me though, right?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek and nod slowly. I already kinda figured that cohabitating would come with the territory of sealing a mate bond with him, and as much as I’ve wanted to break free of my past and make a go of things on my own, if I’m doing this with Chase, I need to be all in. “Yeah,” I whisper.

He growls in satisfaction, scooping his hands under the backs of my thighs and lifting me into his arms, spinning me around.

“Chase!” I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging on tight. His chest rumbles with a deep chuckle as he stops spinning, beaming like he just won the damn lottery.

I feel the same way.

He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’ll get the boys to get your stuff from the complex tomorrow and bring it here.”

“They don’t have to do that…”

“Yes they do,” he mumbles against my lips before stealing another quick kiss. “You’re their queen now, baby.”

I laugh as Chase starts carrying me from the room, bound for the gathering downstairs.

“It’s time to meet the rest of your loyal subjects,” he teases as he strides down the hall, and I swear my cheeks are starting to hurt from smiling so much.

I can’t remember ever being this happy. I used to wonder what type of guy I’d wind up mated to, but if someone told me back then that I’d land a hot-as-fuck Alpha, I would’ve probably laughed in their face. Hell, if someone told me a month ago that I’d end up with Chase Walker, I probably would’ve punched them for even suggesting it. And now I can’t imagine anything better than my big, savage, mountain of a man. I guess even fallen angels can get a happy ending.

I start squirming in Chase’s grasp as we near the staircase, imploring him to put me down, but of course he doesn’t listen. He carries me all the way down to the bottom of the stairs, drawing the attention of nearly every person in the crowded packhouse by the time he sets me on my feet. He immediately steps up beside me and tosses an arm around my shoulders possessively, steering me toward the large living room.

By the time we make it to the stone fireplace at the far corner, Chase’s boys are standing at our backs in a show of support and every eye in the place is on us, looking to Chase expectantly while the dull hum of chatter dies down.

Holy shit. This is it.

My mind is racing at a hundred miles per hour as Rob steps up on the opposite side of Chase, clapping a hand down on his shoulder and turning to the anxious crowd gathered in the packhouse. “It’s about time for our pack to induct a new Alpha, don’t you think?” he booms, and the crowd roars in response, cheering and howling.

I glance up at Chase to find him beaming, looking around at his pack members with so much pride in his eyes.

“Chase Walker has expressed his intention to be inducted as Alpha of our pack tonight,” Rob continues. Another chorus of cheers erupts, and he pauses to let it die down before he goes on. “Does anyone dare challenge the son of Vaughn Walker for his rightful position as Alpha?”

I hold my breath, my eyes skimming the faces of the people in the room in nervous anticipation. This is the part I’ve been dreading- while the blood heir of an Alpha is rarely challenged for his position, the question must still be raised. If a challenger does step forward, Chase will have to physically fight to claim the title of Alpha. I don’t doubt my man’s skills, but I don’t want this evening to turn into a bloodbath, either.

I reach up to find Chase’s hand slung over my shoulder, lacing my fingers with his and giving his hand a little squeeze of encouragement. He glances down at me, and I shoot him my best‘you’ve got this’look as a heavy silence falls over the room.

My heart thumps as the seconds slowly tick by.One. Two. Three. Four. Fuck, how long is he going to draw this out?

“That settles it, then!” Rob roars, and the crowd goes so wild that my ears start ringing as I heave a sigh of relief. Rob leans in closer to Chase, sporting a wide grin. Chase’s dad may not have lived to see this moment, but the pride that shines in Rob’s eyes is second only to a father and makes my heart swell. “Anything you want to add before we head outside for the induction?” he asks in a low voice.

Chase nods, pulling me in tighter and clearing his throat, raising a hand to quiet the pack. “Thank you all for coming tonight,” he remarks, his voice clear and confident. He immediately captures everyone’s attention, his pack captivated by his presence. “I know things haven’t been easy for our pack for the past few months, but I hope this can be a new start for us all. This pack needs an Alpha, but we also need a Luna, and I’ve chosen mine.”

Even though I knew this was coming, I swear my heart stops beating for a few moments as everyone’s attention flips from Chase to me. Most of them are looking at me with curiosity or excitement, but there are a few salty as fuck scowls from some of the younger females among them, my bestie Stasia rocking the deepest one. I lift my chin confidently as some of the pack members start shouting questions my way.

“Who is she?”

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