Page 7 of The Alpha's Bounty
I step closer slowly so I don’t spook her.She doesn’t back up.
Brave girl.
Or tired.
Maybe both.
My bear hums, lower now, a sound of contentment after the storm.
“We’re meant to be together.”The words wrap around us like smoke, like a promise.“We’re fated mates.”
Her brow creases.“Fated mates?”she repeats as if she’s testing a language she doesn’t speak.
“Yes.”I let the weight of it settle in the air.“That’s why I kissed you.I should’ve explained before—” I shake my head.“Doesn’t matter.I’m explaining now.”
Mina tips her head, studying me.“Is that your line?Do you say that to all the girls you don’t arrest?”
The corner of my mouth twitches.“Only the ones who rock my whole world.”
Her lips part.I watch her fight not to react, and it’s the most endearing, stubborn thing I’ve ever seen.
I clear my throat, dragging us back to the topic at hand.“I’m taking you home.”
Her eyes widen.“I… What?Where?”
“Home,” I repeat firmly.“My place.East Pack land.”
She doesn’t move.“Why would I go anywhere with you?”
“Because it’s safe,” I say simply.“Because you need a roof over your head and a minute to breathe.Because you’ve been running, and I can smell your exhaustion.”I step closer.“And because I can help with your court mess.”
She flinches at that.Shame clouds her eyes and colors her cheeks.“You can’t fix it.They’ll make sure I pay.”
The Alpha in me sits up, all teeth.“They’re not gods.And nothing in Night Grove Falls hurts one of mine without going through me.”
My bear roars loud and long.He’ll do anything he can to ensure our mate is safe and happy.With us.
Mina swallows hard as she studies me.She sizes me up, debating whether to trust me.
I hold out my hand, palm up.I don’t move it.Don’t crowd her.I let her choose.“Come home with me.”
She eyes my hand like it might bite before her gaze lifts to my face, measuring… measuring… until resolve steels her expression.Not trust.Not yet.But a sliver of belief in whatever is growing and strengthening between us.
Mina places her hand in mine.
The contact is a lightning strike.Heat races up my arm, through my shoulder, and down my spine.A low, involuntary growl breaks loose from my chest like a prayer.My bear rolls onto his back, baring his belly in surrender because he knows we’ve just touched fate.
“Good,” I say, biting back the words that want out—thank you, mate, I won’t fail you.Words that would only make her bolt.
We start down the trail, a comfortable silence stretching between us.
Mina glances at me after a dozen steps.“You really think you can… fix it?The court stuff?”
“I don’t know the details yet,” I admit.“I remember the bones of it, but I was the idiot who didn’t read the fine print.I’ll get the file, compile the facts, and talk to the other Al—uh, people in charge in town.We’ll get you counsel that doesn’t eat you alive.”
“And if the facts say I’m guilty?”Her question is practical rather than bleak, as if she’s bracing for the worst.
“Then we deal withthat.Justice is a scale.We’ll balance it.”
