Page 11 of The Alpha's Heart

Oh my Luna.

“I forgot,” I breathe out. “My former Alpha insisted on sending two packmates with me. I was on the plane with them, then in the truck. And before they left…” I close my eyes for a second. “They both hugged me.”

Well, that explains why the two betas didn’t reach out to steady me after I nearly fell. They were careful not to antagonize a jealous Alpha wolf with a new bond by touching his female before he could.

Crap. I might just be one of the smartest dumb people you know. Because how the hell can I explain away not realizing that Bishop’s snarl wasn’t for me—but because I walked into his den smelling of Declan and Guy?

Declan is my friend. Guy? How much do you want to bet his hug was staged on purpose, just a way to show Bishop that there’s another male waiting in the wings to claim his fated mate if he fails?

I shudder out another breath. “And the shower’s in there?”

Helene nods.

Well, looks like I’ll be scrubbing up before anything else tonight.

CHAPTER 5

BOLD

After I’ve erased every trace of Guy and Declan from my skin and my hair, I paw through my suitcases. If it really was scenting those two males on me that set Bishop off, it seems like we both could’ve had a better first meeting.

Here’s hoping our second impression is a much better one.

I’m nervous. No denying that. This must be what untouched humans on their wedding night feel like. I’m clean now, and there shouldn’t be anything keeping Bishop from proving thathe’s my male. I’m in his cabin, in his room, and though I’m pretty sure I’m going to end the night wearing nothing but my skin, I pull on a lightweight nightgown that will be easy for him to remove.

He’s in the cabin. Despite reinforcing his territorial markings around his cabin because he has me in it, Bishop couldn’t stay away. I understand why, too. Our bond only just sprang into existence and my wolf howled a lonely song the entire time I stood beneath the shower spray.

She wants her mate. Usually the more timid of both my halves, my wolf understands how we triggered Bishop’s jealousy inadvertently. She’s forgiven him. My human side is a lot morecautious, especially since it’ll be my human form that Bishop will be fucking…

I knew what I agreed to. That’s why, as soon as I pile my damp hair up on top of my head, pinning it in place, I shimmy my nightgown on and, with a burst of nerve I never would’ve thought I had in me, I slip under the covers on Bishop’s massive bed.

It takes up most of the bedroom. Apart from a wooden dress complete with a small square mirror and a pair of sharp, steel scissors on top of it, there isn’t much else in the space. There are two closets, each open; one hosts an array of differently patterned flannel shirts and jeans, while the other is empty. Tomorrow, I’ll unpack.

Tonight, I wait for Bishop.

I sense him prowling around another part of the Alpha cabin. My heart beats wildly, my claws shredding the edge of his covers, but I wait for him to join me.

When he finally does, my claws shoot out the rest of the way, tearing the fabric. It’s one thing to know he’s my mate. It’s another for him to walk into the bedroom, a pair of worn jeans slung low on his thick hips, his flannel shirt from earlier missing as I get my first peek at the most gorgeous, sculpted,massivechest I’ve ever seen on a male.

And he’s supposed to bemine?

I can guess what happened. When he went on patrol, he must’ve shifted to his fur. Unless he changed first, his clothes would be toast. Even if he did change, he’d have to pull on clothes again unless he wanted to come back naked.

Oh, no. Like me in my slip of a nightgown, Bishop is onlyhalf-naked.

He pads forward in his bare feet. Once he crosses into the room, he uses his heel to shut the door behind him.

I feel the answeringclickall the way down to my toes.

“Honey.”

His rough rasp of a voice sends a jolt through me. Honey? Is he… Bishop Dupuis doesn’t seem like the type of Alpha who would give his intended a pet name—not so soon, at least—but I know what I heard. I swallow, sitting up. “Yes?”

His nostril flare, eyes locked on me. His chest heaves as he barks out, “You smell like honey. Honey and heat.”

Oh.

My cheeks flame. “I can’t help it.”

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