Page 14 of Alpha's Choice
“Do you need more space? I have a couple of empty drawers on my side you can use.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “My clothes won’t even fill half my side.”
“Say that in front of Brenda and she’ll have you at the mall so fast you may not have time to grab my credit card.” The corner of his mouth tipped up.
“Why would I take your credit card?”
“What’s mine is yours.”
“Is it that simple for you?” I faced him head-on, wanting to understand him. “You’re ready to make this forever, but you don’t even know me. Maybe I’ll annoy you. Or maybe I’ll make a lousy Luna.”
“I trust the Goddess.” He said it like it was obvious. “We have our whole lives to learn about each other. And we’ve been getting along just fine since we met.”
I blew out my breath in frustration. I was no closer to an answer that made sense to me.
“Relax.” Tobias wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me so my back rested against his front. “We have the entire weekend in front of us. I’ll answer your questions and show you around the pack.”
“That would be nice.” I leaned back into him, enjoying his warmth. My mind might resist him and the situation, but my body didn’t. His need for physical contact was becoming more comfortable for me, and I stayed in his embrace for a few minutes before pulling away with reluctance. “I think I’ll have that bath you mentioned.”
I filled the oversized garden tub with hot water and slid in. Unfortunately, Tobias didn’t have any bubble bath. He offered to borrow some from Brenda, but I told him not to bother. I did want to pick some up before my next bath, though.
If I focused too much on my thoughts, I knew I’d be a ball of nerves at the prospect of meeting his parents later, so I focused on my breathing and let my mind wander. The water cooled, and I got out, wrapping myself in a towel to choose an outfit for dinner.
Now was the time to look good. No jeans and T-shirt for dinner with the parents. I looked at the few sundresses I had brought over and picked a modest blue flowered one that matched my eyes.
I left my hair loose and touched up my makeup before checking myself out in the mirror. Cute, but appropriate for meeting the parents. I hoped. It wasn’t something I had a lot of experience with.
I squared my shoulders and went to join Tobias in the living room. I stopped at the entry and watched him as he worked on some paperwork at the table. He had ditched his suit coat and tie, changing his dress shirt for a more casual one in dark blue. We hadn’t chosen our outfits together, but we still matched.
His hair fell forward over his brow as he focused on his work, and all I could do was stare at his profile. He was the most handsome man I had seen. Was that the power of the mate bond? Or was he really that good-looking?
Something drew my heart to him. I could feel it growing inside me. My mind resisted feeling so much so fast. But at that moment I wanted it. I wanted him. And if it didn’t work out, I would experience my first heartbreak. A heartbreak I might never recover from.
CHAPTER8
Tobias
Emma was fidgeting as we walked to the home my parents moved to after I took over the pack. I took her hand in mine, hoping to soothe her with the mate bond. I wasn’t sure how well it would work since she was unmarked and human, but it worked on me, settling nerves I wasn’t even aware I had.
I needed to find out more about how the mate bond worked with humans. It wasn’t something I had concerned myself with before, as I always expected my mate to be a wolf.
I thought about Greg’s warning that the pack may have trouble accepting her as Luna. I hoped that wasn’t the case. Emma didn’t need anyone else creating doubt in her mind. I would have to watch the reactions of the pack members, but at least I wouldn’t have to worry about my parents. They had been looking forward to me finding my mate.
Emma took a deep breath as I led her into the house. Mom and Dad were in the living room, waiting for us. They rose as a unit when we entered, cautious smiles on their faces.
“Mom, Dad, this is Emma, my mate. Emma, these are my parents, Louisa and James.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Parker.” Emma bobbed her head and tightened her grip on my hand.
“Please, dear, call us Louisa and James.” My mother gave her most gracious smile and stepped forward to take Emma’s hand, holding her other out to my father. “As Tobias’s mate, you’ll be family.”
My eyes narrowed. They both had on their public faces, perfected over their decades leading the pack. Few people would notice the difference, but I recognized when they weren’t genuine. Hopefully, Emma, having just met them, wouldn’t pick up on it.
“Son, I was wondering how your trip to Red Moon went. I haven’t spoken to Alpha Thomas in months. How is his family doing?”
My parents exchanged a quick look, their eyes clouding over as they mind-linked each other. It was rude to do in front of others. It was the werewolf equivalent of whispering. I wondered if Emma knew about a werewolf’s ability to talk by mind link. Mom turned back to Emma. “Emma, dear, why don’t I show you around while Tobias fills his father in on his trip?”
Mom led Emma away, and Dad motioned for me to follow him to his office. I waited for the door to close before raising a brow at him.
