Page 19 of The Alpha's Fated Destiny

"If I can't walk tomorrow…" I begin to threaten him, and he laughs, kissing me on my shoulder.

"I wasn't that rough."

I sink against him, enjoying the feeling of his hard body. "Maybe, but you never let me do what I want."

"Sorry," Alex says insincerely.

I pinch him, and he says lazily, "Ouch. That hurts."

I glare at him over my shoulder and he just gives me a mocking smile.

I settle against him, determined to enjoy this hot spring.

The silence is comfortable and when I feel Alex's hand creep upwards, I close my eyes. "I'll kill you and bury you if you try anything funny."

"Define funny," he suggests.

"Your broken family jewels."

His hand instantly settles on my stomach, right where it had been moments before.

"You're a cruel, cruel woman, Sophia Hope."

I tilt my head back, looking up at him, "What if that's not even my name? What if my mother wanted to name me something different? What if my surname was given to me by Robert? I don't even know my father's name."

Alex presses a kiss against the side of my neck. "Do you want to change your name?"

"No, that would be weird." I decide. "But I want to carry my father's surname."

Something gives me pause and I glance at Alex. "Although technically, I should be using your surname, right? Sophia Stone."

"I like the sound of that." My mate has a smug look on his face.

"You would," I scoff before splashing water on his face. "Stop smiling like that."

He deftly moves his head before wrapping his arms around me. "Sophia Stone. Sounds pretty. And like you’re mine."

My face feels hot. It could be the steam rising from the water. Or maybe it's hearing my name attached to Alex's that has me feeling a little flustered and shy.

We stay like this for a while, the sounds of nightlife playing in the background, the blue glow from the small pools illuminating the area.

"Do you think it's strange that Karina hasn't attacked us yet?" I ask Alex as we're getting out of the water. He grabs me by the waist as I stand on top of the stone, swinging me to the ground.

"It's just been one day, but I'm sure she has plans to."

"Are you sure? What if she doesn't think it's worth risking the ire of the South?"

"If she kills all the Alphas of the South, who will oppose her?" my mate responds grimly.

He has a point. "But they're Alphas. Surely it won't be easy to defeat them?"

Alex hands me my blouse before tucking my torn bra into his jeans pocket. "No, it won't. But if she threatens the other Alphas under her, it will be a bloodbath."

I go still, staring at him. "You think she's actually planning this?"

He begins buttoning my shirt. "She could. There isn't anything I wouldn't put past her."

I rest my hands on his, making him look at me. "Then shouldn't we have stayed with the rest of the pack?"

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