Page 57 of Her Destined Alpha
“She’s ugly…” another one muttered, loud enough for me to hear. I turned away from the mirror. I couldn’t cope with the way they were all leering at me. Cornered… sneered at... it was all so familiar.All species contain monsters.
“Kitten?”
I gasped when Rayhan’s sharp voice brought me out of my thoughts. My heart was thudding, and the sound of the tap one of the girls opened was loud in my ears. The birthday girl pursed her lips as Rayhan motioned for me. I muttered an ‘excuse me’ and walked towards him, to safety…
His hand went to my waist, and for once I didn’t mind as he pulled me close. His warmth and scent comforted and calmed the raging storm inside of me. I didn’t miss the frown towards the girls before he pulled me close. My nose grazed his chest through the opening of his shirt just as the door shut with a thud.
In the dim light of the small hallway, I looked up at him. That sharp look was gone, and his eyes softened. He cupped my cheek, the pad of his thumb caressing it.
“Don’t let anyone get to you,” he said quietly.
You’re getting to me…
“Hey, are you-” Donovan stopped in his tracks, smirking when he saw us. “Aww, and you, baby girl, were denying that he was your man!” I pulled away, my cheeks flushing as I glared at Donovan. I had told him that, but no one really believed me.
“Don’t assume things; not everything is as you think,” I said firmly. “Excuse me.”
I hurried past him and into the hustle and bustle. Ignoring that I was meant to be taking a break, I began clearing up the empty dishes.
The half of the diner that had been converted into a dance floor was getting full as some of the guests had already begun dancing. Others were just standing around chatting, drinking, or holding desserts.
I glanced at the time.Two hours left, and then we could get out of here.
“There’s plenty of food left. Make sure you eat,” Gwen told me. “And get your hot man to eat, too!”
“I will!” I called back.
“Really?” Rayhan’s voice came in my ear, making me jump.
“Hell! You scared me,” I said, elbowing him lightly in the stomach. He chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah? Guess I really am impressive,” he teased with a wink as I pushed open the door to the back. I rolled my eyes, placing the dishes down. It seemed Macy had stepped out for her break too. She must be so tired from all the preps she had done.
“No, it’s not that. It’s just too loud out there to he-” I was cut off when he suddenly grabbed me around the waist and began tickling me there. “Rayhan!” I gasped, unable to stop the laugh that left my lips, a sound that was foreign even to me. For a brief moment, my heart pounded, and I forgot he was tickling me. My focus was lost in his touch, the way his leg touched my ass... the way-
“Kitten?” he asked. His smirk vanished, replaced by concern. I chuckled breathlessly.
“Oh, I will get revenge!”
Turning, I began to tickle him, or tried to. I could feel his abs beneath my fingers, and I just wanted to caress them.
He chuckled, but it was clear it was not my tickling that had made him.
“You’re not ticklish… that’s no fun,” I said unhappily, trying to get my breath back.
“Shame,” he said cockily, leaning back against the wall as he looked down at me.
“There are plenty of ways of getting revenge, Alpha Rayhan…” I threatened lightly. But my mind was blank; all I could think about was the look that had filled those grey eyes of his.
“Alpha, huh?” he asked huskily, now leaning down.
“I didn’t say that…” I had…
“Say it again,” he murmured. His command was absolute, and something about the tone sent a rush of pleasure to my core.
Commanding yet warm and comforting. Even if I refused, I knew there wouldn’t be a consequence… not a painful one anyway. He took hold of my elbow, turning us so that I was the one against the wall. I gasped when my back hit the bricks gently as he let go, placing his hands on the wall next to my waist and head.
My heart was pounding as I looked into his eyes that held that hunger and something more… something that was making my stomach knot. The urge to see what would happen if I said it.
