Page 18 of The Alpha's Heart

“How do you do that, cher?”

Cher… there’s something in the way he says that one word, with more heat than he’s ever used when calling me ‘Sofia’... Oh, Luna. I want to be Bishop’s ‘cher’ forever.

And if he’s not rejecting me, maybe I can…

“Do what?” I whisper breathlessly.

“Just having you near… it makes me feel like I can be the strongest fucking wolf to ever exist. That I can lead the pack… that I canprotectall of Hickory… and I’ll do it because I finally have someone that’s mine I must keep safe.”

The hope from before flutters in my chest.

Maybe—

“You have your sister,” I remind him.

“I do,” he answers easily. “And I’d throw my wolf at anyone who threatens Helene. I’ve been responsible for that songbird of mine since my mama brought that sweet pup into this world. And then she and my daddy left it… left Helene and me behind… and I used every bit of my alpha nature to watch over her. But she’s also our Omega. Every dominant wolf in Hickory’s pledged to protect her. When you’re the Alpha female, they’ll do the same for you. But that’s my job, cher. You’re my mate. You’re my Luna damn heart. The other half of my fucking soul. Nothing will ever stop me from keeping you safe, even if the big, bad wolf I’m protectin’ you from isme.”

His voice grew thicker as he spoke. So did his accent. Bishop’s dark gold eyes blazed with fire, tinged with a shade of orange similar to so many of the leaves on October’s hickorytrees. I’m ensnared by them. Trapped.Entranced. The teensiest, tinies part of me realizes that I’m lost in an Alpha wolf’s gaze, neither of us blinking, but the only challenge between us is who will break the stare first.

Surprisingly, it’s not the meek maternal delta.

“Sorry about that,” Bishop mumbles, jerking his head to the side at the same time as he lowers his hand. It’s further proof that, despite his seemingly aloof behavior these last few days, he truly does consider me to be his mate. Only with his mate would an Alpha ever lose face by ‘losing’ a challenge. “I toldja I wasn’t gonna rush you into anything. That we can get used to each other at the same time as you get used to bein’ in Hickory.”

“But you said to tell you what I want? I want you, Sofia Russo. I want you in my arms. In my life. In my bed. I want you to lead my pack with me, to sit with me in the den, and for you to see Hickory and know it’s your home now. Just like I’m your male.”

I don’t know what to say. I went from a stoic male who rationed his words as though each one costs a hundred dollars to an Alpha who just made it absolutely clear that rejecting me… yeah. I might’ve jumped the gun a little on that one.

Does that mean I believe he’s that devoted to me already just because I’m his fated mate?

Actually,yes.

I try not to let my disappointment show as I move away from him. The look in his eyes right now… it’s hard for me to take.

“I know you think you mean all that.” I wish he did. “But… it’s the mate bond. That’s all. That’s okay. It’s a start.”

Bishop sets his jaw. “If that’s how you want to look at it, cher. Sure. But it’s not a start, Sofia. It’s everything.”

I don’t even get the chance to retort to that, to insist that he’s only saying what he thinks an intended mates wants to hear. My lips part, and Bishop swoops down, covering my mouth with his.

I’ve never mated before, but I have had my share of awkward kisses with males who wanted to convince me to go further than I wanted to. This one is different. Not because it isn’t awkward—it’s clear that Bishop doesn’t have the smooth, practiced technique of other males—but because, with the taste of both sugar and cloves on my tongue, I hunger for more of him.

I clutch his chest. He lays one hand on the small of my back, holding me against him.

When Bishop breaks our unexpected kiss, he still needs that connection. He presses his forehead against mine. We’re both breathing heavily, Bishop’s voice impossibly deep as he says in as Alpha a voice as ever:

“Without the mate bond, I never woulda known how perfect you and your wolf are for me, so I thank the Luna for giving life to our bond. I know it’s up to the two of us to grow it. To nurture it. And when you’re ready to take me as your male, we’ll finalize it. But that doesn’t cheapen anything I feel for you, Sofia. I’ve wanted you from the moment you walked into my cabin. Never doubt that.”

“Bishop—”

The Alpha’s eyes flash. Next thing I know, he’s pulled away from me. He has my hand in his, drawing it down toward the crotch of his pants. It’s a fleeting touch, my fingers ghosting over the hard bulge I find there, but he growls under his breath as I hold mine.

“Never,” he says, gritting it out through his clenched teeth, “doubt that you’re the one female who makes me hard as a rock with nothing more than a smile. Your honey scent has me fucking my hand whenever I can take a second for myself. But I don’t want to be by myself, cher. If I haven’t scared you off yet, understand that. I want to be with you. This moon. Next moon. I can wait until you feel the same for me… but I will never, ever reject our bond.”

But that’s the thing. His words ring with a truth that even I can’t deny. So I’m not an Alpha. So I can’t tell when someone is lying to me. I believe him, and that’s not all.

He thinks I’m still scared.

I’m not scared.

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