Page 101 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate
Athena looked at her more closely. Her smile seemed genuine. Her voice was even. And yet...
The hairs on the back of her neck stood upright, but she wasn’t going to give her suspicion away.
“It’s fine. I believe in second chances,” Athena replied cautiously. “And in listening. You’ll find most of us here do.”
Aubrey’s smile widened just slightly. “Then I suppose I’m lucky to be here.”
Before Athena could say anything else, a voice rang from inside.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave. It was wonderful meeting you.”
She offered Athena one last polite nod, then stepped back inside, the heavy door sealing shut behind her.
Athena let out a heavy breath.
“You know,” came a voice behind her, smooth as dusk, “we should really work on your eavesdropping skills.”
Her breath caught.
That voice. She could recognise it anywhere.
Marcus.
She turned slowly to face him.
He looked exhausted—his hair was ruffled, his jacket undone, but his eyes were the same. Sharp and warm.
She didn’t say anything for a beat. Just looked at him as relief and warmth flooded her chest.
“You’re back,” she finally breathed.
He smiled at her, that crooked grin that always made her heart leap. “I must not have been gone for long if you aren’t welcoming me with a tight hug.”
He pouted. “And here I thought I would have been terribly missed.”
If only he knew.
Athena arched a brow. “You are gone for four days, and you come back cracking jokes?”
“You were counting,” he whispered.
A proud smile appeared on his face as she rolled her eyes at him, feigning indifference, but her insides twirled violently in excitement.
