Page 110 of Alpha Ruined

“It can be…difficult…to get her to open up,” he says. “But once she did with me, I knew I had found my soulmate.”

“Aww,” her mother says.

She storms into the living room, ready to cause a scene, but when she spots Cole, her breath catches.

He’s sitting in the armchair across from the couch, a glass of her mother’s ridiculous sugar-free lemonade in his hand. Dressed in a black button up and grey slacks, he looks every bit the lawyer he claims to be, with perfectly styled hair and a clean-shaven face.

His scent fills the room, and all fury vanishes.

She missed him so much.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says calmly, giving her a knowing smile. “How was work?”

If he’s just as affected by their scents as she is, he doesn’t let on. He places his glass on the end table, waiting patiently for her response.

She just gapes at him while Carol turns to her.

“You never told me you had a boyfriend!” she accuses. “How could you have kept him from me?”

“You were hiding me, darling?” Cole coos. Then, he turns to Carol. “She must be ashamed of me,” he says with a wink.

She doesn’t know whether to kill him or kiss him.

Or both.

“I didn’t know you were coming over,” she says, narrowing her eyes at him and crossing her arms. “We never discussed that,darling.”

Cole raises an eyebrow at her. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Honey, he’s wonderful,” Carol adds. “I wish you would have told me about him sooner.” She motions to the couch. “Come sit down!”

With her eyes still locked on Cole, Bree begrudgingly sits. Without a word, Cole moves from the chair to join her, wrapping an arm around the back of the couch.

Her traitorous heart is full as Cole’s scent overwhelms her, soothing the anxious part of her heart.

Alpha is here!

She does her best to ignore her inner Omega, who is almost feral at being in such close proximity of her mate.

“You’re staying for dinner, right, honey?” Carol turns her attention back to Cole, and Bree rolls her eyes.

Of course, her mother is enamored with him.

“I would love to,” he says, then turns to Bree. “As long as you’re sure I wouldn’t be imposing, sweetheart?”

There’s amusement in his eyes, as if he’s enjoying tormenting her.

“Of course not!” Carol says. “You’re part of the family now,” she adds. “You’re welcome over anytime.”

Bree looks at her mother in horror as Cole flashes her a brilliant smile. “Thank you so much, Carol,” he says. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

Bree scowls, furious that he’s already on a first name basis with her mother.

“I’ll be back,” she says, jumping up before she has an emotional outburst. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”

“Hurry back,” Cole says.

She huffs and heads out of the living room and up the stairs.

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