Page 98 of Challenged Mate
I turned to my fated mate.
His hands ran up and down my arms. “Trust me, Blair, you want to see the surprise. Axel, Chase and I will discuss how to approach the challenge tonight. I will come find you after.”
I wanted to object, but I was interrupted by the voice of the male who raised as he said, “Don’t be stubborn, Blair.”
I watched my father step out from behind the building to the right, entering the alleyway with confident steps.
My mouth fell open as Stephanie stepped out after him.
Kayla followed behind. Vaguely, I heard her tell Asher that my father and best friend had refused to wait in the apartment for me. She also said Chase had gone to the park to bring the luncheon to a close.
Blood roared in my ears, drowning out Asher’s reply.
Stephanie looked at me with apology in her gaze. My father, on the other hand, was unreadable.
I felt dizzy. What in the hell was he doing here?
I asked the question out loud.
My father didn’t so much as blink at my hostile tone. “I’ve come to witness your mating ceremony.”
“After not speaking to me for a week?”
“I was busy.”
“How convenient,” I bit out. After my father’s behavior during the Alpha Games—after he went behind my back to all but guarantee I would leave Montana with the Wilds shifters—the least he could do was act sorry.
He’d ignored my calls and texts, but now he was here for my mating ceremony? Something else was going on. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.
My father didn’t react to my barb.
Stephanie stepped forward, drawing my glare away from my father. “Hey, girl. I’ve missed you.”
I stepped away from Asher to meet her embrace. I squeezed my eyes shut and hugged her tight. “I’ve missed you, too. I can’t believe you’re here.”
Stephanie leaned back, holding onto my arms, and gave me a quick smile. “I wouldn’t miss this, Blair.”
Then, her gaze flickered to the male standing behind me. “Your sister told me you’re the alpha. You must love drama to have keptthatjuicy piece of gossip to yourself.”
I winced at my best friend’s jab, but I secretly loved her loyalty.
Out of everyone, she knew how torn up I’d been over believing I would be forced to mate Axel, knowing his twin brother was my fated mate. Stephanie knew all my pain could have been avoided if Asher had just told me the truth, and his inaction wasn’t going to be easily forgotten.
Asher, to his credit, replied with confidence, “I have already apologized to Blair for my deception, and I apologize to you two, as well.” Asher glanced between Stephanie and my father. “It was never my intention to cause trouble, but I had to put the welfare of my pack before everything else. I couldn’t admit who I was, not without inviting more danger onto me and my partner in the games. I’m sorry my secrecy caused you stress.” His eyes met mine, flaring with honesty. “And I am determined to spend the rest of my life making it up to Blair.”
My chest warmed.
“Damn right,” Stephanie said. Her arms crossed, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
She looked at Kayla. “You need to fill me in on the mating ceremony preparations. I’ve known Blair our entire lives, and we need to make sure it’s everything she’s ever dreamed of.”
I almost reminded Stephanie that I’d never really dreamed of a mating ceremony, but I held back. Let her have her fun.
Before Kayla could respond, my father said, “Based on what I overheard on our walk over, you might be getting ahead of yourself, Stephanie.”
At my best friend’s confused look, he elaborated, “There’s no guarantee Asher will be alpha tonight.”
Both Axel and Kayla growled in defense of their brother.
