Page 7 of A Real Alpha
“Youcan'tkeep me there!”
My frown deepened as my suspicions were all but confirmed, but I forced myself to nod instead of demanding to know why he was worried about that being an issue.
“I'm not planning on kidnapping you,” I finally said, “I'm just offering a warm bed.”
“Without you in it,” he said firmly, and I almost laughed because I was so surprised. Just as promptly, all my amusement vanished because he was right to assume. A lot of assholes would only lend a helping hand if they got something in return.
I took a step toward him and when he didn't back away, I took another, bringing us closer together. Our cold puffs of air mingled. With full somberness I said, “I give you my word.”
He stared into my eyes, unblinking. After a few seconds, the sternness seemed to seep out of him, and he sagged.
“Lead the way.”
Chapter 3
Connor
This is a very bad idea,I thought as Oscar unlocked the door.
He pushed it open and then stepped back for me to enter ahead of him. I didn't move, suddenly sure that he would slam the door shut behind me and lock it from the outside, the same way that Harry had.
He wasn't as imposing as Harry, but he was still an alpha and a good six inches taller than me.
So, I squared my shoulders and shook my head, trying not to appear timid.
“After you,” I said.
He seemed to understand my hesitance and to my relief, he didn't argue. Instead, he went into his apartment without waiting for me.
While his willingness to concede helped, it still took me a moment to talk myself into following him.
I hadjustgotten out of this situation. Holed up with an alpha who had control of me... Harry had never pretended that it was for my sake, though.
That didn't mean I trusted Oscar.
A cold wind suddenly gusted through the alleyway, rattling the staircase that I was standing on, and even though Roscoedidn't react under his blanket, the weight of him in my arms while I stood in the cold made my feet move forward.
Oscar's apartment was like a warm hug. Just like the cafe it sat upon; it smelled like the baked goods from the kitchen below. It wasn't a new place, but it was spacious, open, and decorated in a cozy way, with throws on the couches and soft rugs underfoot. Even the lighting, when he flipped on the lamps added to the atmosphere.Then, there were the bookshelves.
Don't ask me why, but it was hard to imagine a man who spent his time reading with a cup of coffee was going to be violent.
The slightest bit of stress eased from my shoulders.
“Are you hungry?” Oscar asked, walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge.
I was, but I didn't want him to think I owed him something. Bad enough that I'd agreed to stay here.
“I'm fine,” I said.
He didn't turn to look at me, but I noticed the way he paused before choosing what to say next.
“I'm making myself dinner anyway,” he said. “I'll just throw some extra on, just in case.”
I shrugged uneasily when he glanced back at me, and he smiled like this was all so normal.
Maybe it was for him, I mused. Maybe he liked to help people out and offer his couch to those like me.
It was hard to believe there might be others like that in the world, let alone in Lunar City, but I was just going to have to go with it for now and see if my suspicions were true.
