Page 17 of Jaded Alpha

“You can sit down and enjoy yourselves while I serve up your meals. Help yourselves to coffee.” Franklin left the room, and we were alone.

There was a single-serve coffee maker on the sideboard, and I saw Jamie wrinkle his nose at it before preparing a cup of blonde roast. Considering he’d sounded concerned at whether I drank coffee, he wasn’t too enthusiastic.

“Wait.” Franklin bustled back in. “I forgot to leave the carafe of percolated coffee.”

“Isn’t the machine enough?” I wondered.

“Oh, that’s for oddball times of day when someone wants a cup. I grind the beans myself for what I brew.”

The relief on Jamie’s face made me think he had a stronger relationship with java than I did. But, we all had things we liked!

Leaving the carafe, Franklin went back to the kitchen and returned with a platter of bacon, pancakes, and various toppings. It was quickly followed by pastries and hash browns and a bowl of fresh fruit. “Anyone want eggs or anything?”

“No.” I chuckled. “That should be enough. I’m going to double my weight here, if I’m not careful.”

“You seem perfect to me.” Jamie eyed me with intensity then glanced away.

“I’m not getting as much exercise as usual lately.” I usually danced my legs off on stage.

“Then I have the perfect idea for your morning.” Franklin refilled his mug and forked a pancake onto his plate. “Lots of exercise.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jamie

Not knowing how to act around your mate is the absolute worst.

Van was the soul the gods made to match mine. And here I was, skittish around him.

Pretending everything is normal wasn’t my forte.

“Okay, you two. Here is lunch for the trip. You know where the stream is?” Franklin’s plan for us today was a hike to some hidden waterfall and then lunch there. It sounded incredibly romantic.

I wished I could get over what I’d found out about my mate.

And we’d mated, so, at the same time, I couldn’t tell him my secret…he hadn’t exactly offered up the truth himself.

“Yes,” I answered. Eddie had stared at me all through breakfast. Contrary to what my wolf wanted, I’d also ignored his tries at holding my hand or kissing me.

What Eddie did for a living had nothing to do with what I felt about him. Tell that to my stupid human mind.

“Oh, yes,” Eddie added. “I recall passing one while we were running.”

Franklin beamed. “Cross over that stream and go in between the two apple trees. Pick some if you like. They’re my favorite. Rocket apples. I really need to go up there and get some, actually.”

“Do you want us to pick you a few?” I asked.

Franklin waved his hands. “No. No. I’ll get to it. Anyway, once you go between the two trees, the trail will be obvious. It’s a bit of an uphill walk to the waterfall, but the trip will be worth it.”

“Thank you, Franklin. It sounds like a great day.”

We took our lunches from Franklin’s outstretched arms and made our way to the back door. Eddie held it open for me and, while I wanted nothing more than to rise on tiptoe and kiss his full lips, there was now a secret between us.

My thoughts this morning had gone beyond the typical new mating variety to more heartbreaking ones.

Was he the type of rock star who had omegas all over the place, all around the world, waiting for him to pass through? Boyfriends? Groupies? Was groupies a word anymore? Was this weekend one fling of many and in the end, I would have my heart shattered, and he would go back on tour and make songs about that whirlwind weekend romance?

“This place is fantastic. I love the country.” Eddie lifted his gaze while we walked, taking in the sights.

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