Page 13 of Alpha's Choice
Could it be that simple? I often felt directionless, not knowing what I wanted to do. The choices were overwhelming. But if I accepted Tobias, that would decide for me. I would be Luna. There was comfort in certainty.
But I knew nothing about the role. And nothing about Tobias. As much as I wanted it to be a simple choice, it wasn’t. It meant giving up everything familiar to put my faith in something I didn’t know how to believe in.
CHAPTER7
Emma
“Are you comfortable having dinner with my parents tonight?” Tobias carried my suitcase into the packhouse, not reacting to the stares and whispers as we passed people in the entry.
I imagined word had already spread about the Alpha finding his mate, who was human. I wished for werewolf hearing, so I knew what was being said about us.
Or maybe not. I remembered Kylie saying she couldn’t imagine how a human could be Luna, and I suspected others felt the same way. I know I did.
“Emma?”
I startled when Tobias placed his hand on my arm to get my attention. “Sorry. I was just thinking. Dinner with your parents?”
“I talked to them earlier and they would like to meet you. But I can put them off if you’d rather dinner just be us.”
I hesitated. I didn’t think I was ready to meet his parents, but I couldn’t see how putting it off would help anything. “Dinner with your parents would be fine.”
He gave me a bright smile that reached deep into his eyes, and I felt better about my choice. If his parents were anything like him, they would be great people.
A beautiful dark-haired woman was standing at the top floor landing. When she saw Tobias, she squealed and threw her arms around him. Jealousy flared, dampening when she spun around and pulled me in for a hug as well.
“You must be Tobias’s mate. I’m Brenda, Matthew’s mate.” She stepped back, holding me at arm’s length while she surveyed me. “You’re gorgeous. Those curves. That hair. Those eyes.”
She clapped her hands. “I’m excited to get to know you better. We’re the only mates on the leadership team. If you need anything, just ask. We’re right across the hall.”
Brenda pointed to the other apartment. “I won’t keep you two, as I’m sure you want privacy, having just found each other. I just wanted a look at you. I’m so excited.”
She gave Tobias and me each another quick hug before almost skipping off to her apartment. Tobias leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Word of warning. Brenda is sweet, but a whirlwind. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself swept along in whatever she has planned, even if you don’t want to be.”
He showed me to a large bedroom in his apartment. The bed was enormous, covering most of the entryway wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows led to a wraparound balcony, while the bathroom and closet were to my immediate right.
I stepped further into the room, my feet sinking into the plush carpet. A low couch was opposite the bed with a two-way gas fireplace between.
“This must be your bedroom.” I turned to Tobias. “If not, the master must defy imagination.”
“I hope it’s our bedroom.” He corrected, lowering my bag to the floor. “If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll sleep on the couch, but my wolf will be calmer if we’re in the same bedroom.”
My cheeks flushed as I thought about sharing a bed with him. Could I do it? Share a bed with a man I just met? I didn’t know. I decided to leave that alone and wandered to check out the bathroom.
“Oh, my god. I may mate you for the bathroom alone.” I slapped my hand over my mouth and kept my back to Tobias, unable to face him after my reaction.
He was silent for a moment, but then he burst out laughing. “I take it you approve.”
I ducked my head in embarrassment. “I can’t believe I said that. It’s a dream bathroom, sure, but I wouldn’t sell myself for it.”
Tobias patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I won’t hold you to any promises made over a bathroom.”
“I would appreciate it.”
“I left half my closet empty for my mate. If you’d like, I can help you unpack, and you have time for a bath before dinner.”
“There’s not much to unpack. I’ll get the rest of my things later.” I didn’t admit that I left most of my things behind on purpose. It was too big of a commitment to box everything up.
He put my suitcase in the walk-in closet. His clothes hung in a neat and organized row on the right side, a dresser stretching the length of the wall beneath. The left side mirrored it, except the dresser wasn’t as long, leaving space to hang dresses. Shoes lined the back wall while the middle held an island with drawers.
