Page 5 of The Alpha Under My Bed

Or at least, that’s what I thought he said. His voice was so soft, I couldn’t be sure if it was real—or just what I wanted to hear.

I don’t think Mal ever saw me the way I saw him.

But it was such a nice thought, I didn’t want him to correct it.

I just wanted to feel wanted, if only for a little while.

The last thing I remembered was the slow drag of his fingers through my hair, the weight of his arm resting against the couch, and the quiet, steady sound of his breathing as I slipped into sleep.

Two

ELEANOR

The scentof citrus and clove smoke was the first thing I noticed. Warm. Familiar.

I blinked awake slowly, sleep still heavy in my limbs. A thick blanket draped over my shoulders, its weight keeping the cold at bay. The couch creaked beneath me as I shifted, bare skin brushing against buttery leather. It took a moment for my surroundings to settle into focus—the high ceilings, the dim morning light spilling through the loft windows, the quiet hum of a coffee machine.

Mal’s place.

I exhaled, running my fingers through my hair before dragging my hands down my face. I hadn’t meant to stay the night. But then, I also hadn’t meant to show up at his garage last night with a broken heart and no plan.

A familiar rustling sound pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned toward the kitchen, spotting Mal at the counter, pouring coffee. He looked like he’d been up for a while, his dark hair still damp from a shower, curling slightly at the ends. Thesleeves of his hoodie were pushed up to his elbows, revealing the dark ink along his forearms. A tendril of steam curled from his mug as he took a slow sip, his free hand braced against the counter.

He hadn’t looked at me yet.

But he knew I was awake.

I sat up, wincing slightly as my muscles protested. “You should’ve woken me up,” I muttered, rubbing at the stiff spot on the back of my neck.

Mal finally turned, tilting his head as he slid a second mug across the counter toward me. “You needed the sleep,” he said simply.

I hesitated before standing, grabbing the blanket and folding it over the armrest. The wood floors were cool against my bare feet as I padded across the room, taking the coffee from his outstretched hand.

“You take care of me too much,” I said, forcing a small smile.

His lips curled slightly. “Someone has to.”

I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head as I brought the mug to my lips. The first sip was perfect, exactly how I liked it—just like it always was.

I lifted my cup, letting my gaze flick to Mal over the rim. A thought tugged at the edges of my sleep-heavy mind.

Mal always knew.

How I took my coffee. The way I needed space when I was upset. The things I wanted to say before I could even shape the words.

He was constant. My best friend. My person. The only one who never left.

And I had been in love with him for a long time.

It wasn’t a revelation—no sudden epiphany striking me in the quiet morning light. I’d known for years. I just didn’t know what to do with it. Because loving Mal wasn’t the problem.

The problem was that I needed more than just him.

Suppressants only worked for so long. They dulled my heats, made them manageable, but eventually, they would fail. And when that happened… I didn’t know what I would do. Heat clinics weren’t an option. The thought of being in that kind of space—open, exposed, vulnerable to strangers—made my skin crawl.

I needed an alpha. Not for a bond. Not for romance. Just relief.

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