Page 41 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

I turn and leave the hall, so distracted by the thoughts of Clara that the meeting vanishes from my mind the second I go through the doors. I walk towards the soccer field near the school, hoping to find her there with Nico.

When I arrive, I see her in the parking lot, standing by herself next to the car.

She’s gone to great effort to make sure we’re never alone together—even going to bed early and getting up before me to avoid any talk before bed or first thing in the morning. This might be my chance.

She’s so lost in thought, she doesn’t see me approach. Just before I can call out to her, she stiffens and looks over her shoulder.

Like she knew I was coming.

How could she, though, without wolf senses?

“Hi,” I say, trying not to sound too excited. “Can I join you?”

“I’m just picking up Nico,” she says, turning away from me.

“I know,” I answer, following her. “We should go together.”

“Fine,” she answers, giving me a small smile.

I reach out and take her hand. She almost shakes me off, then remembers we’re in public and leaves her fingers loosely entwined in mine.

I thought getting the chance to touch her would alleviate my stress, but instead, it feels like holding a burning-hot ember that is searing my hand and melting my bones. Shivers run up my arm, making my body tense as my focus narrows to where my skin touches hers.

When we reach the soccer field, I’m almost relieved when she lets go.

“Clara…” I say, almost reaching for her again. She turns and looks at me over her shoulder, her face guarded and her eyes low.

“Galen,” she answers. “I’m sorry if you thought the other night meant something. I’ve been trying to show you as gently as I can that it was just sex, a moment of passion. It doesn’t mean I’m going to start falling all over you like I did when we were kids.”

I feel like I’ve taken a lance to the chest, but I swallow my pain quickly, nodding and taking a step back.

“Thanks for clarifying,” I say in an even tone. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

She walks off ahead of me, and I can’t help staring at her toned ass and the smooth curves of her hips.

I’m lucky I’ve had a lifetime of hiding my emotions. This one really stings, and I feel like I just got my heart ripped in two.

As we cross the field towards the small group of kids, one of the mothers breaks away and comes running towards Clara.

“Clara, I’m so sorry!” she cries.

“What is it, Annabelle?” Clara answers, her voice high.

“It’s Nico! He ran off the field mid-play, and we haven’t been able to find him.”

“What?” My voice roars out of my throat, frustration, pain, and fear all coming out in that one word.

“Alpha Galen!” Annabel stammers. “I’m sorry, it happened so quickly, none of us could stop him! The coach is tracking him right now—”

I don’t wait to hear what else she says. In two long strides, I’m halfway across the field, tearing off my clothes and shifting. Clara’s footsteps hammer behind me as I take off through the tree line and into the forest.

I can track Nico’s scent and Dennis’s, the soccer coach. I don’t have to track too far before I find him in his human shape, standing warily at a cliff edge.

“Where’s my son?” I roar, coming out of my wolf shape and landing beside him in one long leap. Dennis shivers visibly in response to the threat in my voice.

“That way,” he points across the outcrop. “It’s the edge of our territory, and I wasn’t sure if I should go ahead without your approval.”

“Track back through the woods,” I almost snarl at him. “Make sure no one else is in danger.”

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