Page 27 of Alpha's Baby Girl
“Of course it is.” He turned back to me. “Are you sure that’s all this is? You… Thalia, I know things haven’t been the easiest to get through but I want to see it through. Withyou. You’re my winner for the trial and—”
I had to stop him there, too afraid of that being the case. Because that was when I should have acted on Kato’s behalf, committing the ultimate betrayal. I knew I couldn’t. Looking into his eyes now, I knew I couldn’t go on living the lie. How could I have ever done this to him? God, I was awful.
“You were perfect.” That was the problem. Because even now I wanted nothing more than to step into his embrace and stop denying my attraction to him. It was taking everything I had to even part from my mate.
Fenrys narrowed his eyes over my shoulder, at Sasha. “Who are you?”
“I’m her best friend,” Sasha said. “But I know who you are.” She gave him a satisfied smile.
“Thalia.” The way he said my name, I knew there was no way I could leave him, not for one night, not foranynight. I still needed the space, though. I stepped away, out of where he’d grasped my hands in his. Didn’t understand it; I couldn’t explain it. Only Sasha could know the full extent.
“Babe, there’s a drink with my name on it at the Inferno Lounge,” Sasha said gently.
“The Inferno Lounge?” Fenrys asked.
“Girl time,” Sasha said. “Drinking, fun, dancing.” Her gaze flicked over him, her judgment quiet but enough conveyed to saynot that you’d know it.
Still, he persisted, seeing through the farce. Of course, he did. I was probably giving off the most anxious energy and he’d sense that.
“Is it about the other she-wolves and the fact we came back together last night? Let me handle them If they’re a problem.”
“They’re not the problem,” I said. “I just need space from the Games, is all.” I glanced at Sasha. “Can I meet you at the car?”
She was reluctant, her eyes narrowing on Fenrys but she soon relented. Alone with him, I let him take my hands in his. “I was going to ask you on a date tonight. I was on my way to your room to invite you out for dinner when I saw you leave with your suitcase. I guess I panicked and thought I’d scared you off.”
“I want to get to know you again. I want you to get to knowmeagain. The new me. The changed me, because Ihavechanged. I want to prove that to you. Just one dinner, away from all the drama of the trials, and then I’ll walk you over to the Inferno Lounge for your girls’ night sleepover, or whatever you’re doing. That’s all I ask. Let me take you out properly.”
Despite the rage of emotions swelling in me, I couldn’t help the quiet laugh that slipped free at his frowning overgirls’ night sleepover.
And although I didn’t want to stay and upset myself further or keep lying to him, I slowly nodded, wiping away the stray tears that had fallen. Sasha could help me get out of my contract with Kato, I was sure of it. “Sasha’s a hard girl to turn down.”
“You’re not turning her down.” He gave me a lazy smile. “You’re simply… Delaying her a little.”
“I can talk to her if you like,” he offered.
I shook my head quickly. “Absolutely not. That’s not a conversation I’m prepared to watch unfold.”
He grinned at me, and the ease he had soothed me. I could do this. I could figure a way out of the situation. I couldn’t give up Fenrys; not for Kato, not for anything. “What? Scared of your mate and best friend meeting?”
“Yes, actually.” I laughed softly. “She’s not a wolf shifter or from this town. She would eat you alive without any loyalty to you.”
At that, he blinked. “Maybe you should sort that one out, then. I don’t need any threats tonight.” He paused, and then kissed my knuckles. “I’ll come by your room in an hour? I promise you’ll still have time with her, but please give me a chance. No trials, no she-wolves, no goddamn Graham looking over my shoulder, either. Just us and dinner.”
Just a normal dinner. I could do that.
Sasha eyed me from the driver’s seat as I walked outside. “I’ve got your back no matter what,” she said, before I could say anything. “Something’s happened between you two, and while I’m not attuned to all that wolf politics and whatever, I cansee. Do you need to go to him?”
“Yes,” I answered. “Yeah, I think I do. I’m sorry I called you out here.”
She waved her hand. “I offered, and I’m on my way to the Lounge anyway. I was going to take you there now but if you want to join me later on, there’ll be a seat for you at my table. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky with the bartender.” She gave me a wide grin. “But we’re going to talk about what’s on your mind, okay? Make time for me, too.”
“Of course,” I said, leaning in to awkwardly hug her through the car window. “I love you, Sash.”
“Love you, Thalia.” She blew me a kiss and drove off. When I turned back to Fenrys, my heart clenched. I needed to be with him more than I needed to keep worrying over Kato. I would ask her what to do later. For now, I had my mate, and he was offering me a dinner date. It was such a simple thing but I’d spent a long time waiting for the chance.
Chapter 14 - Fenrys
I didn’t understand how Thalia and I had spent one night together, and the next moment, she had looked so anguished, not telling me what was happening. I had heard the forced casual tone in her friend’s voice and hadn’t been fooled. Something was going on with Thalia, and I wanted her to be able to talk to me. There had been so much fear and a torn look in her eyes. Was she afraid I would reject her again?
