Page 4 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

I get up and head towards the lake, my heart in my throat and my stomach wrapped in tight knots. I’m starting to wonder what I’ve done—binding myself into a contract with a man I don’t even know.

Well, chances are I do know him. Quartz Key isn’t that big.

I take a deep breath and hold it as I approach the lake, trying to calm down. I have to do this for Nico. He needs to be back in the pack, surrounded by wolves again, and with a shifter who can help him through his first change.

He could die if he doesn’t get help. I have to do this!

That’s when the air shimmers ahead of me, like heatwaves radiating from scorching-hot bitumen. I know it’s the disturbance of a being coming through the barrier from the hidden road. After a second, the air stops bubbling, and the shape of a man solidifies.

He has his back to me, looking out over the lake. He’s wearing a long, fitted trench coat that flaps against his legs, billowing a little in the wind. I can’t see much of him except his ash-blond hair and tall stature.

Something about the set of his shoulders…

The curiosity inside me disappears, replaced by intense, cold panic. My heart is frozen, and my guts have exploded into butterflies. My knees shiver violently, and I stop walking, just staring ahead at the man silhouetted against the sheen on the water.

No, no, no!

As if sensing me, he turns, looking slowly over his shoulder. His eyes are dark, almost black.

But I know they’re green. Right up close, looking straight into them, those eyes are deep green… like needles on winter pines.

It can’t be!

When he speaks, his voice is deep but musical, just how I remember it.

“Hello, Clara.”

Galen.

Of all the wolves in the world, it had to be Galen!

Nico’s father.

Chapter 2 - Galen

The moment I stepped through the barrier, I caught her scent.

I thought I had to be imagining it at first, an illusion called up by her memory. Of course, I’d think of her today. How could I not?

Clara.

As the sweet, sugary scent drifts across my face, my mouth starts to water. It’s like honey or rich, golden syrup drizzled over a warm cinnamon cake. It overwhelms me, and my whole body tingles as I let the intense smell waft across my tongue.

My wolf is panting right now.

Instead of turning towards the park as I come through the barrier, I look out over the lake and try to regain control. There’s no point in trying to convince myself the scent isn’t real. It’s all around me now, blowing through the air, caught by the wind, and sweeping across my face.

Just like Grandma’s kitchen on a cold winter night. The warmth of the fire, the delicious scent rising from the oven and filling the room. Safety, comfort, and utter indulgence.

I take a breath and hold it, gathering my courage to turn around and face her. Ever since I agreed to this meeting, I’ve been thinking of Clara, knowing I could never commit to anyone else. This whole thing was a sham. A joke.

If this is real, I’ll have to apologize to Winnie.

My meddling sister, always interfering in my life and trying to push my buttons. She got me good with this one, but this time her prank turned out to be a gift.

First time for everything.

Turn around, you coward!

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