Page 120 of Her Destined Alpha
“It’s okay,” Rayhan’s strong, smooth voice came. I took a deep breath, burying my head into his chest. He locked his arms around my shoulders, the other holding the back of my neck. He kissed the top of my head.“I got you.”
I clutched his jacket tightly, trying to calm the storm within me. His hand caressing my back soothed me.
“Who knew my man could be so charming?” Chris’s voice called out.
“Who knew? Seriously? This is Rayhan, probably the sexiest, most charming alpha around, which is no mystery,” Raihana’s voice answered, and I was tugged from Rayhan’s arms as she gave me a tight hug.
“I won’t deny that considering he just stole away my limelight,” his cousin chuckled, slapping Rayhan on the back. “Careful, brother. Every single she-wolf seems to have just upped their desire for you. Must feel good knowing how wanted you are,” he added quietly.
Despite how quietly he had spoken, I’d heard. Raihana was too busy exclaiming how good we looked together, having pulled me over to her mother and Layla, but I couldn’t help but listen to their conversation.
“My mate is the only one I want to be desired by. Really, Zain, I don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate, but you can take it elsewhere.” Rayhan’s voice was as cold and dangerous as it had been warm and sexy minutes earlier.
“Ray-”
“This conversation is over. Enjoy the rest of your day, Zain.”
I gasped when I felt his hands slip around my waist, my breath hitching when his lips brushed my shoulder. Did he know I had heard? I wasn’t sure. They had talked very quietly. Everyone was chatting, and it was loud.
“Rayhan, is it okay to steal your mate for a short while?” Maria asked her son.
“I’m sure you can do that in my presence,” he said, kissing my neck. “I just don’t want to be far from her.” Maria smiled and nodded.
“Fine then, how can I pull mates apart,” she said proudly.
I smiled up at Rayhan, knowing he did it for me, but I needed to do it, alone… especially if I wanted Maria to like me.
“Thank you… but it’s okay. Me and…” I couldn’t bring myself to call her Mom yet, not when she didn’t even know what I was. “We will be okay.” He frowned slightly. “Trust me,” I whispered, caressing his hand gently.
He nodded. A strand of his hair that had escaped from his man-bun fell in front of his forehead. I reached up, brushing it aside. God, he looked so sexy tonight. His shirt wrapped around his sexy arms so perfectly that every move he made showed off his incredible physique.
“As long as you don’t go too far,” Rayhan replied, kissing my hand.
“We won’t,” she replied before smiling at me. I felt nervous, my heart racing as Maria motioned for me to follow her.
“Don’t worry,” Rayhan murmured, kissing my cheek before he motioned for me to follow his mom. “I won’t be far.” I nodded, trusting him.
His mom led me out of the huge hall, and the sudden silence was welcoming. I didn’t actually realise howloud it had been in there.
“Don’t be scared, I just want to get to know you a little,” she said, smiling. I nodded. This was going to be tough. I didn’t want to lie to her... yet there were things I couldn’t tell her either. She made her way outside, and instantly, six men flanked us.
“These are my trusted guards. They will make sure we are safe,” she said, looking around. She sighed softly. It was clear she was extremely careful.
The cool breeze skimmed past us. The gardens were decorated as lavishly as the inside had been. Several couples were walking around, some having an intimate moment.
“So, tell me about yourself; your age, where you grew up, your family?” Maria said.
“I grew up in the States and moved here when I was eight. I lived down near London before moving up to Yorkshire. Since then, I’ve just been here and there… I never knew my mother, but my father and stepmother weren’t the greatest people. I have a half-brother and a sister; the latter never liked me, and my brother was pretty young when I left home,” I said, looking down at my hands.
I could sense the sadness washing off her, and I looked up to see the emotions in her eyes. But I didn’t want it… not the pity, I just… this lie…
“Oh, I’m so sorry, my child,” she said, cupping my face for a moment.
“It’s cool,” I said with a faint smile.
“So, what do you do? Or what did you do before meeting Rayhan?” she asked, schooling her face once again.
“I worked at a diner,” I said, wondering if she was expecting me to be someone more at Rayhan’s level. She looked surprised but simply smiled.
