Page 5 of Challenged Mate
Once again, I had to hide how my body reacted to the timbre of his voice.
I looked through the front windshield, ignoring the dark eyes assessing me through the rearview mirror. Asher drove the vehicle along the perimeter of the lovely buildings. I was surprised when he turned onto a road that led away from the town.
“Where are we going?” Did the alpha live in the woods? Was I about to meet him?
Neither shifter answered my question.
I bristled at their silence, prepared to insist they answer me, when we crested a hill and I saw a massive three-story home nestled at the bottom of the valley.
The wood structure was painted white. Midnight blue shutters adorned each of the front windows, and a crimson roof shined under the early morning sun. Four large pines flanked the home on either side, and a glistening meadow sat about twenty yards away from the back of the home.
The picturesque scene was stunning. “Wow.”
Chase shot me a knowing smile. “Our alpha’s house is the best in the pack, for obvious reasons.” He smirked towards Asher.
And just like that, Chase’s words washed away my admiration.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Is that where I’m staying?”
Would I really be subjected to living under the alpha’s roof before our mating?
Could I insist I stay somewhere else?
I could claim the need for propriety or some nonsense like that.
I didn’t know how the Wilds Pack viewed such things, but surely I could persuade them to let me have this small reprieve.
“You’ll be staying on the bottom floor. It’s a private apartment. The alpha won’t bother you there,” Asher said. My eyes were drawn to his hands as they tightened around the steering wheel.
I let my gaze rise to the rearview mirror. Asher’s eyes were there, waiting for me.
A host of emotions swirled in his gaze. For a moment, I basked in them, but it was brief.
Our fate was sealed. He’d guaranteed that. I couldn’t let myself dwell on the feelings the bond elicited within either of us. There was no point.
With that thought in mind, I forced my head down, breaking the pull of his stare.
I withdrew my cell phone from my coat pocket and power it on. I’d left it off since leaving Badlands’ territory, knowing news of my predicament would travel through my pack like wildfire. I had no desire to hear from everyone and their mother about what they thought of my situation.
The vehicle bounced up and down as the road became less smooth the closer we drew to the alpha’s home.
My phone illuminated, and dozens of unread text messages covered my lock screen. I slid my finger over them, dismissing the notifications, then unlocked my phone and tapped the messaging app.
I ignored the texts from various pack members, including Hunter and my father. There was only one person I was in the mood to hear from.
I tapped Stephanie’s name and read what my best friend had sent the past forty-eight hours.
I am so, so, so sorry Blair. I wish I were with you right now, but I know you’ll get through this.
Are you all right? How are you holding up?
Has Asher said anything about telling his alpha about your bond? Do you want him to know?!?
I know you’re probably ignoring messages right now. I get it. Just promise to reach out to me when you feel up for it. I need to know you’re okay. I miss you and love you.
Emotion clogged my throat as I read through Stephanie’s messages. I wanted to let her know I was okay, but as my fingers hovered over the screen, I couldn’t come up with the words.
I wasn’t okay. I was a mess.
