Page 18 of Holiday Surprise

I let out a breath, feeling like maybe it was a start and we could work with this. It wouldn’t be easy. I could sense how much prejudice she carried for my pack, but it was something we could work with.

Completely changing the subject, I had a realization. “Wait, if Sid Parker is your uncle, then are you named after him?”

She grinned and nodded. Then she held out her hand. “Sydney Parker. I guess it’s nice to meet you.”

“Luke Larken. I know it’s nice to meet you,” I said taking her hand. An electric shock shot through my hand and up my arm causing heat to pool in my stomach. The best part was that I could see she wasn’t entirely unaffected by the touch either as she snatched her hand back and kept rubbing it.

“I should probably go,” she said suddenly.

I started to panic. “Where?”

“Huh?”

“Where are you going, Sydney?”

She smiled. “I’m just going home Luke. It’s been a crazy day. I think we both need to step back and think things through before anything happens that we can’t change.”

“Do you mean encouraging the bond or walking away from it?” I dared to ask.

She shrugged. “I don’t know but being here with you is definitely a mistake. I can’t think straight with you around.”

I bit back a grin. “I’m having dinner at Peyton and Oliver’s tomorrow night. Come join me. It’s a nice neutral territory. No pressure.” No pressure, right! My wolf was strong. I was an Alpha. I was used to things happening on my terms, at my command. I wasn’t going to deal well without seeing her anytime I wanted, but it was going to be a tricky road to navigate with her tucked away in Collier. Sure, I knew Thomas would let me see her, but only up to the point she claimed harassment, and I could honestly see myself becoming that desperate, because just spending this last hour alone with her was enough to solidify my need to have her, and it was taking everything in my power not to just claim her right there on my living room couch.

“I’ll think about it. Can I have your number?” she asked, surprising me again.

I gave it to her quickly as she punched it into her phone. I didn’t dare ask for hers in return. I couldn’t push her on this. She’d already admitted she was ready to bolt and end our new bond. I couldn’t let that happen but forcing the issue would only send her running. I was certain of it.

“I’ll text you and let you know if I can make it,” she told me. She got up and headed for the door. “Goodbye, Luke,” she said sadly, still looking confused.

Confused and unsure. I could work with that. I just had to show her that we were worth it. Worth whatever prejudice and concerns she had. I didn’t know what I would do if she really did try to run, but for now, as long as she didn’t bolt on me, I could handle proceeding slowly. Heck, my head was spinning from it all, too.

Sydney

Chapter 10

The second I was out of Larken territory, I grabbed my cell and dialed Lily’s number.

“You could have warned me, you know,” I said the second she answered.

“What fun would that have been? Besides, how was I supposed to know you were his true mate?”

“Does Thomas know, too?” I asked.

Thomas Collier and I had quite the history and I wasn’t really sure how he would react to me finding a mate. I sucked in a deep breath at the thought. No, just because Luke was my one true mate, didn’t mean I had to accept him. He wasn’t my mate yet. That little word “yet” terrified me.

“I don’t think so. I’m not sure. You know him. He was already at home asleep before Luke even got back from the run this morning. I doubt they’ve had a chance to talk yet.”

“Yet.” I really did hate that word.

“Honestly, I think he’ll be thrilled,” Lily continued. “He really likes Luke. They’ve gotten to be great friends.”

“Really? But they’re rivals. Our packs hate each other.”

Lily laughed. “Girl, I’ve tried to tell you, that’s ancient history. Luke and Thomas have been working for months on how to restore the Larkens to Collier. Shit, I’m not supposed to say that, but I’m sure Luke will tell you all about it.”

“You make it sound like I’m just going to accept him.”

“He’s your true mate, Syd. Why wouldn’t you? I mean I get he’s not your favorite person and represents what you despise most, but you know how much I hated Thomas. There’s something about the bond that just changes us. You’ll see. There’s really no sense in fighting it.”

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