Page 19 of Alpha's Choice
I woke up alone in bed, but I had a dreamy memory of Tobias waking me before he left. I wanted to stay wrapped up in the warm blanket, replaying over and over again the feel of his lips on me, but I remembered him asking me to meet him at his office when I got up.
Rolling out of bed, I stretched my arms high overhead as I debated what to wear. It would just be Tobias and me, so I wasn’t worried about impressing his family, but I wanted to look nice for him.
I picked a short green sundress and heeled sandals that made my legs look longer than they were. The neckline dipped just low enough to be sexy. I braided my hair, leaving a few wispy pieces to frame my face. I put on some mascara and lip gloss but otherwise left my face bare and grabbed my purse before heading downstairs to meet Tobias.
The packhouse entry was a hub of activity when I reached the main floor. I remembered Kylie mentioning a lot of families ate breakfast at the pack dining hall on the weekend. Wolves were very social creatures, and they had lots of planned pack activities.
As I descended the last steps, I felt eyes on me, so I ducked around the corner to avoid attention. When I reached the office area, Tobias wasn’t there, but Mrs. Wells, who I had met when we first arrived at the pack, was.
“This is a private area.” Her lips thinned when she looked up from her desk and saw me. “You are not allowed here.”
“Tobias told me-”
“That’s Alpha Tobias to you.” Disapproval wafted from her, same as when we first met. “Greg should have taught you better. Just because you’re human doesn’t mean you can disrespect the pack leaders.”
“I’m supposed to meet him here.”
Mrs. Wells gave me a dismissive look. “What could the Alpha want with you?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” My back was up now. “He told me to meet him here, so here I am. Is he in his office?”
I moved toward the door with his name on it. Mrs. Wells lunged to block my way. She surveyed me, her lips pursing. “If you think I’m letting you near the Alpha, you are mistaken.”
“He’s expecting me. How hard is that to understand?”
“Oh, please. I see right through you, with your short skirt and low neckline. You want to seduce him. You think he’ll let you in the pack if you let him have your body.”
I gaped at her. “That is not what I’m doing.”
“Humans don’t belong in this pack. It’s bad enough Greg didn’t reject your mother, but to bring you along? It’s just wrong.”
I grit my teeth, wanting to blast her, but she was old enough to be my grandmother, and maybe running off women was part of her job description. “I’m Tobias’s mate.”
She growled, grabbing my arm in a tight grip. She was very strong for her age. “Liar. The Alpha will be mates with a strong she-wolf, like Lisa. Not a weak human.”
I wished I could growl right back at her. Instead, all I could do was glare. “Well, the goddess chose me.”
She tightened her grip on my arm and started dragging me away from Tobias’s office. My heels had little grip, so all I could do was stumble after her.
A loud growl roared through the room, causing Mrs. Wells to come to a dead stop. Tobias and Beta Matthew were coming out of his office, and he looked thunderous.
Mrs. Wells bowed her head in his direction. “Alpha, I was just showing this human out. She refused to leave.”
Tobias stalked toward us, his large hands curling up into fists. “You will take your hand off my mate now, or I will remove it for you.”
His voice was low and threatening. Her response was immediate, and I reached up to rub the marks she left behind on my skin. Tobias stood between her and me. “Matthew, does Mrs. Wells’ job include security?”
“No.” Beta Matthew’s posture tightened, as if he was prepared to jump in and stop a fight between an elderly Mrs. Wells and Tobias.
“Mrs. Wells, do you make it a habit to put your hands on pack members who enter this office area?”
“She’s not pack-”
“So you think it’s okay for a welcomed guest?” He turned to me, running his hands over my arms. “Are you okay?”
I decided not to draw his attention to my bruised skin. The situation had escalated enough. “I’m fine.”
“Alpha, I-”
