Page 5 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

As I look over my shoulder, I can hear Clara’s light steps on the grass behind me. Her scent is as thick and sweet as the sugar and spice it reminds me of, and my heart starts to pound so hard, I can feel it in my temples.

She stops behind me, freezing as soon as she sees my face. I turn around fully and face her, hearing her heartbeat suddenly speed up, pounding twice as hard in her chest.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. I stretch out all my wolf senses, trying desperately to find some clue of how she’s feeling. All I’m getting is her raging heartbeat and light, shallow breathing. The added warmth to her body makes her scent even stronger.

All of this could mean excitement from her… or fear.

Please don’t fear me.

My fingers twitch as the thought streaks through me. I want to grab her, press her to my chest, and never let anything hurt her ever again.

But I’m the one who hurt her.

I’m sorry!

“Galen?” she says, tilting her head. Her voice is smooth and even, but her heart is still hammering in her chest. I’m impressed that she can look so calm when her insides are in such turmoil.

“Clara…” I try to say, but I can’t raise my voice above a soft, reverent whisper. A slight frown crosses her pretty features, and I’m just as enchanted by it as I have always been by her smile.

What I wouldn’t give to see that smile again. I swear, my love, I will make you smile again.

Just let me try.

Clara folds her arms tightly across her chest and looks up at me, sticking her chin out a little in defiance. Her pale gold eyes narrow, and the edges of her mouth turn down. When her bottom lip trembles, I have to fight the urge to reach out and stroke it with my thumb.

“This must be a mistake,” she announces. “We need to discuss this with Iris. Immediately.”

Even though her voice is high-pitched and tight, she doesn’t move. I struggle to respond, caught between finding the right words and feasting my eyes upon her, ravishing every inch of her with my gaze like a starving man.

I have been starving every single second since she left.

“Galen, are you alright?” she asks, her voice hard. I can hear her heart still hammering, and her breath almost wheezing through her tight chest, but I’m beginning to think it’s from anger more than excitement.

She doesn’t want to see me… and why should she?

“It’s been a long time, Clara,” I say.

Her eyes widen, and I’m lost in pools of shimmering gold. Her eyes are the color of honey, lit from within so they glimmer like gems when any strong emotion takes her.

With that thought, I’m caught in a memory of her in my arms, gasping with pleasure as her eyes stared deeply into mine. She’s in my hands, writhing, screaming out in joy.

Screaming my name.

“Galen,” she snaps. “We need to talk about this.”

Her tone and the still-hard look on her face drag me back to reality. It’s painful to return from the memory, and to see the pain in her eyes.

I deserve this. I deserve all of this.

“Yes,” I answer, still not really knowing what to say. “We should.”

Clara’s eyes narrow again, and she shivers, hugging her arms a bit tighter against her chest. She’s wearing a long gray coat that reaches down to her thighs, so all I can see of her outfit is a hint of dark green at her collar, black tights on her shapely legs, and black, knee-high boots.

“Let’s go and sit down,” she suggests. “Iris can sort this out.”

“Wait,” I reply, reaching for her. “Just wait a second.”

She takes a step back, glaring at my hand as she jams her own into her pockets. “Don’t touch me, Galen,” she snaps.

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