Page 24 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“She’s such a strong, independent woman, it really wasn’t easy,” I go on. “I had to work hard to gain her attention, but I promised to make the effort every day for the rest of my life.”

I turn to Clara, reaching out to her. She leans into my side as I wrap my arm around her, and even though I can feel she’s a little stiff, I can also feel the heat of her skin through her clothes.

She isn’t just playing along for show. She wants me to touch her.

To kiss her.

I stroke Clara’s back before I pull her close, bending my mouth to hers. I intended for this to be a quick kiss, enough intimacy to show old Agnes she should back off. But as Clara’s scent engulfs me, my senses go haywire.

When I touch my mouth to hers, a shock runs through me, shivers of pleasure that caress my skin and make my blood run hot. I tighten my grip on her waist, kneading her lips with mine, letting the tide of arousal and need carry me away.

Chapter 7 - Clara

I’m getting carried away.

But I can’t help it. Galen’s hands softly stroke my back as his strong arm grips my waist, and his slick, hot lips slide against mine. Thrills run through my body, stealing my breath and making the hot place between my thighs ache.

I can barely stop myself from squirming against him as the throbbing increases in my core. My fingers tighten on his shoulders, and I don’t know if I want to pull him closer or push him away.

He’s an even better kisser than before.

But wait… how much practice has he had since me?

Anger flashes through me from jealousy over his past lovers, whoever they might be. The thought flees quickly, completely obliterated by the red-hot lust still raging through me.

Suddenly, Galen pulls back, and all I can see is his eyes. So big, deep, and green, they look like still forest pools, reflecting the lush beauty of the canopy above.

We stare at each other, caught in a moment of stillness that belongs to us alone, even as I hear the low murmur of people crowding around us. It’s almost as if no time has passed, and we’re the same two lovers who parted so long ago.

But we aren’t. I’ve changed, and I’ll never let him hurt me again.

My hands tighten on Galen’s shoulders as I get ready to push him away, but before I can, a third person joins the hug.

“Clara!” Winnie says, appearing by my side to hug me with all the force in her small body. “I didn’t get a chance to chat this morning with all the old fuddy-duddies around. Let’s catch up!”

As she wraps her arms around me, Winnie goes up on her tip-toes to whisper in my ear.

“Don’t mind that old hag! Some of us are glad to have you back.”

Winnie pulls back from me and smiles, and I smile back. Even though I’m still wary, Winnie was never mean to me back in the day, and it looks like she might be the only ally in town I have right now.

But did she ever stand up for me or try to be my friend when I grew up here? No. But she is quite a bit younger than me, and it isn’t likely she could have stood up for me even if she tried.

“Auntie Winnie!” Nico yells, tearing across the playground. “Hi!”

“Hi, kiddo!” she yells back, running towards him. The two collide and roll into an untidy heap on the green grass.

“We’re going to have our hands full dealing with both of them,” I mutter.

Galen nods solemnly. “Winnie might be well and truly out of high school, but she still acts like a kid.”

I don’t say anything, secretly envious of how Winnie has embraced her goofy personality and stubbornly remained herself, even under the criticism of others. Especially her mother’s, I’m sure.

The two of them finish rough-housing and run back over to us, giggling like fools. I never imagined how wonderful it would be for Nico to meet his family, and not for the first time, I feel guilty about keeping him from them.

I was so worried about what could go wrong, I couldn’t see how much he needed his pack.

“Hey, bro,” Winnie calls, giggling at Galen’s immediate frown. “Why don’t you get us some snacks while I catch up with Clara for a bit?”

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