Page 8 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“I’m the alpha now,” I reply with a low growl. “They do whatever I tell them to do.”

“But I can’t shift,” she says, her eyes darting back and forth as if she’s being hunted. “The alpha’s mate has to be perfect.”

“You are perfect!”

A smile dances briefly across her lips before she shakes her head a little. “Galen, I can’t. I shouldn’t have come here at all. I really didn’t think this through.”

“Neither did I,” I admit. “Winnie set it up. She kind of dared me.”

Clara’s smile grows a little at the mention of my sister. “She’s still mischievous, then?”

“She sure is,” I reply. “She’ll be very pleased to find out I was matched with you.”

“She doesn’t care that I can’t shift?”

“Winnie has always been a rebel, you know that,” I answer, shrugging.

For a moment, it seems as if Clara relaxes completely. It’s almost as if I can see the good memories flooding through her, leaving a wide, warm smile on her face.

“You can see everyone again,” I say. “Some people have missed you, and they’ll be glad to see you.”

She jumps, yanking her hand back as her eyes widen again. “Some people?” she repeats. “And what about the rest? How much crap will I have to take from the pack?”

“That came out the wrong way,” I mutter, frustrated with myself and shaking my head. “I’m sorry. But the fact is, we were meant to be together, and I think this proves it. Just give me a chance, Clara. Just one more. That’s all I ask of you.”

She wraps her arms around herself again, staring at me evenly. I can’t read her expression, and anxiety rises in me as I wait for her reply.

She is desperate, that’s obvious. She needs help. I can’t just let her go.

“I’ll talk to you,” she finally says. “But I haven’t made up my mind. How do you feel about getting something to eat, and I’ll listen to what you have to say.”

“No problem,” I answer, standing up. “I’ll head over and grab some coffee and snacks right now. Did you have something specific in mind?”

“No,” she replies, shaking her head. “Just some coffee and donuts for now. I’ll wait here.”

“Great,” I say, relieved. “I won’t be long. Thank you, Clara.”

She gives me a steady, blank look. “Don’t thank me.”

“I really mean it, though. Thank you for coming today and sticking around this long. I just want to talk.”

“Okay,” she says, nodding. “I understand.”

I hurry over to the small cluster of shops, hoping that Clara’s favorites haven’t changed. I’m on my way back with a huge bag of donuts and two steaming hot cups of coffee when I realize the picnic table is empty.

Maybe she just took a walk or went to the bathroom.

But I know in my heart it’s a vain hope. When I turn my nose to the wind, her scent is less than a memory hanging in the air.

She’s gone.

Chapter 3 - Clara

I can’t do this!

The thought blares through my head like an alarm, getting louder with every beat of my heart. Reality bleeds away from me, leaving me stranded in a turbulent ocean of terrible memories. Galen’s kind words and calm manner just seem to make it worse, as if I’ve stumbled into a horrible nightmare that’s dressed up as my dearest dreams.

As I tear out of the parking lot, my little car’s poor tires screeching in the loose gravel, I try to pull myself together. Just putting distance between myself and Galen has helped a lot, but my heart is still beating wildly up into my throat, making my vision blurry.

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