Page 10 of The Alpha's Heart

That’s all there is on Bishop. No picture of him or Helene—or I wouldn’t have been so shocked at his appearance—or anything other than a note that his previous loss and sense of responsibility make him an untested Alpha to be wary of, no matter his age and experience.

I planned on coming to Hickory and getting to know Bishop. Now? I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.

But he surprises me. Blowing out a rush of air through his nose, he reaches up, scratching the underside of his bearded jaw. His eyes slant my way, and I see something different in them. Not as dark as before, they burn brightly as he runs his gaze over my face.

The den was thick with tension before. As he slowly nods his head, it fades just enough that I don’t feel like I’m going to choke on it.

“You’re right. My intended must be protected.” He still hasn’t taken his eyes off of me. “I’ll return to you, Sofia. And we’ll start again. Yeah?”

So long as he doesn’t snarl at me again, I think I can give him a second chance. After all, the Luna picked him for me. She has to know what she’s doing… right?

“Um. Yeah. Okay.”

Helene inches closer to me. Bishop’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t say anything as she purposely takes hold of one of my suitcases from West.

He looks at the beta instead. “Take a run with me, West. Luna knows we both have something we need to keep safe.”

I’d say West’s gaze flickers back to Helene only he’s been watching every move the blonde she-wolf has made. He wordlessly released my suitcase because she wanted it, and when Bishop orders him to check Hickory’s borders, the young beta thins his lips, then nods.

As soon as Bishop and West are gone, Helene turns to me. She starts rolling one of my luggage cases toward the door that separates the den from the rest of the Alpha cabin. Following her lead, I take the other.

She doesn’t say anything about what happened in the den until she’s led me through the living area, past a huge-screen television and massive couch that should be able to fit two shifters in their fur, and—after a quick tour of the kitchen whereshe points out the pantry, the fridge, and Bishop’s impressive store of snacks—parks my case in a door that smells so strongly of cloves, I know it belongs to Bishops’ bedroom.

Only then does she say softly, “Please don’t let my brother scare you off.”

I open my mouth. I figured Helene had a reason why she sent Bishop away, and I’m not surprised that she’s going to try to intervene for her gruff older brother.

Her inner wolf reaches out to mine. “I mean it, Sofia. He’s waited a long time for you.”

Not me, I think. He’s waited for his mate. So that happens to be me. Until we’re bonded, that can change…

My voice is a little shaky as I tell her, “I couldn’t help it. I didn’t expect him to snarl at me when I walked into the den.”

Helene sighs. “Me, neither. And I’d bet Bishop didn’t mean to, but… you know he’s our Alpha right?”

I do. That’s why I’m here. “Yes.”

“Alphas are… different. They usually have the most control over their wolves because, if they lose it, people die. It’s harsh, but true. Bishop knows better than to loosen the reins even a little, but sometimes his wolf rides him and it takes a second for him to tighten his grip. Do you get what I’m saying?”

I want to say I do but the truth is that I don’t have that much experience being around other alpha wolves. I’m a schoolteacher, for Luna’s sake. Even if a young pup is a dominant alpha as a child, that’s nothing compared to the powerful male that Bishop is.

“Just give him a chance,” Helene says. “He’s devoted to the Luna. When she told him your name, he didn’t hesitate. He’ll be a good male to you, Sofia. The best mate. I know he’s big and scary, but when you get to know him… he’s really a softie. More teddy bear than wolf.”

Somehow, I highly doubt that. But that’s Helene’s older brother, and if she has a warped sense of just how dangerous he is, I’m not going to be the one to point that out.

Then again, maybe she doesn’t. Because right before she confirms that I’m supposed to move the few belongings I bought with me from River Run—until I can arrange to have the rest shipped out—into Bishop’s room, she gives me a knowing look that makes her seem much older than sixteen.

“I hate to interfere with your mating. That’s not what an Omega does, but that’s not just any Alpha. That’s my brother. So… if you don’t mind, can I give you a hint?”

If it’ll help me handle my new mate the way that Bishop accused Helene of doing? “Yes, please.”

“Take a shower,” she says bluntly.

My face screws up. “What?”

She gestures behind her. “Bishop has a master bath in his room. If you don’t want to set his wolf off again, it might be a good idea to wash those other male scents off of you.”

Oh…oh.

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