Page 16 of Alpha's Choice
“Roger is unmated, dear.” Louisa patted my hand. I wondered if she meant it to be as condescending as it felt. “Tobias and his wolf will have a hard time with you having close contact with unmated males while you’re unmarked.”
I looked at Tobias in surprise. “Roger hasn’t been at all inappropriate.”
“I never said he had.” Tobias’s jaw tightened. “It will be hard enough knowing you’re surrounded by unmated wolves without me there, but to train you right, he has to touch you. That could push my wolf over the edge.”
“So he’s penalized for being unmated?”
“Roger will expect it,” James spoke with finality. “Everyone will. It’s a wolf thing.”
A wolf thing. Three words and a gulf opened, separating me from the rest of them. Something in his tone implied a judgment was made, and I was found wanting. I was human, and I didn’t belong. I didn’t think it was possible, but the tension in the room thickened.
“I’m here.” A younger version of Louisa breezed in, plopping down at the table. I recognized her as one of Lisa’s friends. She gave me a fake smile. “You’re Ella, right?”
“Emma.”
“Oh, sorry. My bad.” She turned away, dismissing me. “Toby, you ran off so fast today at school. You didn’t get a chance to wish Lisa a happy birthday.”
“I didn’t realize it was her birthday today.” Tobias’s tone was dry.
“It’s not, but she turned eighteen while you were away.”
“A few birthdays happened while I was gone. Should I track all the birthday boys and girls down?”
“Lisa’s not just anyone.” Megan’s gaze slid sideways to watch my reaction. I fought hard not to give her one. “You and she are so close.”
“We are?” He raised a brow at his sister. “Since when?”
“Oh, don’t be silly, Toby. I was so sure she’d be your mate.” Megan paused. “You know, before Ella came along.”
“Emma. And I thought Kylie was the odds-on favorite.”
Everyone stared at me in shock, while I kept an expression of innocence on my face. I could fake it as well as anyone. Thankfully, Joan broke the silence when she entered, carrying a tray of food. “Would you like any help, Joan?”
She looked at me in surprise. “No, miss. Thank you.”
“Everything looks and smells delicious. It must smell heavenly to you all with your wolf sense of smell.” I decided to just barrel along as if the tension didn’t exist. “So, Megan. I’ve been enjoying the summer program so far. How about you?”
Dinner went on, but the underlying tension remained. At the end of the evening, his mother gave me a hug, but I could feel the stiffness in her movements. James gave me a brief nod while Megan just went upstairs without saying goodbye.
Tobias’s expression was tight as he led me outside. I wondered if it still didn’t bother him that I was human. Obviously, his family had a problem with it. And they wouldn’t be alone.
The walk to the packhouse was silent. We made it all the way to the bedroom before he broke the silence.
“I need to apologize for my family.” He raked his hair back with his hand. “I didn’t know they would behave like that, or I wouldn’t have brought you.”
“It’s not your fault.” I sat cross-legged on the couch. “I’m not what, or who, they expected your mate to be. I don’t blame them for holding back.”
“You should.” He was blunt. “We accept mates with open arms in this pack. They have no business questioning the Goddess’s choice.”
“Your faith in the Goddess is strong.” I waved him over to join me on the couch. He sat next to me, slouching down, his head resting on the back of the sofa.
“I’ve watched mated pairs my entire life.” His voice was low. “It’s all I ever wanted for myself. That love and acceptance. The connection they have.”
He reached out for my hand, using his thumb to brush gentle caresses along the back. “I never chose my path. I was born the future Alpha of Gray Rock. And I’m okay with that. I can serve my pack and help keep us strong and safe.”
I waited, watching his face as he searched for the words he wanted. “You might think I feel the same way about the mate bond. That I have no choice in it. But I do. I could have chosen a mate anytime since becoming Alpha, and my pack would have understood. But I chose to wait. For that connection.”
He met my eyes, the intensity of his gaze causing my stomach to flip. “I waited for you. And I choose you. Always.”
