Page 57 of Unexpected Alpha's Claim

I reached towards him, and he danced away laughing. Helena watched with a soft smile on her face that seemed to hide something deeper, but what that was I couldn’t quite tell.

“Come on, it’s time to celebrate,” Ray said. “They’ll want you there, Alpha.”

I nodded and let him lead the way to the bar. Getting there was easier said than done. Hundreds of people were alreadygathered in the parking lot, which wasn’t really a parking lot anymore. It was so full that I doubted a motorcycle could park there.

“Make way! The Alpha’s here!”

A hoarse voice rose above the racket, turning quite a few heads in my direction. There was nothing like it. People on either side began to step back, flashing glances of admiration up at me. And what did I do? I smiled in embarrassment. Watching a sizeable gap form up ahead, I had no idea how to respond to this.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Helena advised, walking at my side. “They respect you. Youearnedthat respect. Remember that.”

“I’ll try,” I said, casting a quick, sideways glance down at her.

As I continued down the street, I nodded to the members of my pack, glad that they had recognized my efforts. Before I reached the edge of the parking lot, an all-too familiar scent compelled me to bolt my feet to the ground. I closed my eyes and inhaled it, like I was addicted to that sweet caramel. Spinning around, my eyes confirmed the truth of what I had smelled.

Monica.

She was walking amongst the crowd, her figure emerging into the light of the lamppost. Helena held in a laugh, staring at me with meaning. There were dozens of things I could say, however, they could wait. My healer had returned to Dawson. I hoped that I knew why but I had to find out for sure.

“Monica?” I said her name as I pushed my way to her. “You’re here.”

“Yeah,” she said whipping her head around to face me.

“Uh, why?”

Idiot. What a stupid question. Why? Am I really a moron or is this just the effect she has on me?

“Looking for you,” she admitted, pursing her lips and looking down for a moment. “I, uh, I went to your cabin, but it was dark. Then I heard,” she gestured around us, “so I followed the noise.”

“Oh,” I said, then nodded as if I had some kind of a clue what else to say. I looked around at the partying crowd of shifters. “Uh, yeah. I’m… I…”

There were so many words I wanted to say, but I didn’t want to say the wrong ones. I’d lost her once and now I didn’t even know if she was back, or if there was anus, or what. I did know that I needed to do better, even if I wasn’t sure what better is.

“Seems like a big party,” she, her eyes darting anywhere but mine.

“Yeah,” I agreed, shuffling my feet. “We’re, uh, you know celebrating.” Her eyes met mine and my heart leapt into my throat, making further words an impossibility. I swallowed it down the best I could then finish the thought, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her face. Her eyes. Her face. “We won,” I blurt out, “the, uh, the battle. The one against those vampires.”

“I know,” she said as a blissful smile burst upon her lips. “The locals told me about it on my way over.” Her eyes bored into mine and I could only wish I truly knew what she was thinking or was sure she’s thinking what I thought she is. “Raul, I’m immensely proud of you.”

My heart could have exploded right then. A sense of pride that I hadn’t really felt yet filled my chest until I was sure it had toburst out to give me some relief. Every fiber of me wanted to wrap my arms around her, inhale her sweet scent, and taste her soft lips. I couldn’t though, she dumped me, and I still wasn’t sure why she was back.

“Thanks,” I murmured, unable to give the word volume because my throat felt like it was clenched tight.

She looked around the noisy crowd and then shook her head.

“Listen, is there someplace we can talk? It’s too noisy here.”

“Yeah.” I gave a swift nod. “Where do you want to go?”

“How about the woods over at Shandaken,” she answered in an instant. “Where you first took me on your bike.”

“Alright,” I accepted. “After you.”

Curiosity was gnawing away at me. I couldn’t wait to ask her why she had bothered driving all the way to the Catskills. She had been the one to end what we had together. I wasn’t going to press my luck, though.

Surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of people, I was not going to discuss our personal issues. Most of them—if not all—would be able to hear me. My private life was just that—private—no one else’s business but mine.

Monica and I walked side-by-side away from the party. I noted Helena’s knowing eyes on us as we left but no one else seemed to pay much attention.

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