Page 11 of Tide Touched

Chapter Six

Katie

This is the most turned-on I’ve ever been. I’m trying desperately not to squirm on the soft leather seat. I’m probably soaking it under my dress. I’m not even wearing underwear. I keep my gaze locked on the window to my right, watching as we leave the only home I’ve ever known.

The journey is mostly silent, save for Courtney’s occasional huffs and Carter’s sighs. I don’t know if he’s as turned-on as I am because he crosses his arms over his lap. In a weird way, I hope so. I hope this strange horniness isn’t just me.

My brain is still trying to wrap itself around all this. So, I have a mate. A mate that Fate herself has picked out for me. Well, interesting choice, Fate.

Every now and then, I swear I glimpse Carter’s gaze roaming over me, but I don’t catch him staring at my breasts or anything. Instead, I realise, it’s where my injuries are still healing, now that I have my wolf. My cheek, just under my jaw.

I press my lips together tightly, watching the trees flit by in the dark. Sadness wells within me, tears pricking my eyes. I already miss Moira so much. I can’t imagine my life without her. Maybe I could convince my new mate to let me visit her.

My thoughts pile on top of each other until I don’t even notice when the car comes to a stop, pulling up in front of a well-lit estate. Where the alpha lives. Carter’s uncle.

I swallow. This is to be my new home.

‘Open the door.’ Carter’s voice fills the quiet car.

I can’t help but notice his lack of temper. He’s clearly not thrilled about having me, but it’s not like he went Levi on me. Even with his girlfriend here, he’s keeping cool and calm.

I step out of the car. My mouth falls open. I stare dumbly up at the massive building. I’ve never been to an alpha estate before. There are four of them, one for each pack’s alpha.

A massive stone building that looks as though it could be hundreds of years old looms over us. I glance around until something familiar catches my ears and I perk up. The sound of the ocean, lapping waves. I turn until I see the water, the beach close by.

‘Do you go to the beach?’ I can’t stop the words from tumbling from my mouth, a strange kind of hope buried in them.

Carter nods. ‘Yes. Come inside.’

‘Wow, so chatty,’ I drawl as I follow.

He doesn’t bother looking back at me. I fold my arms over myself, realising how cold it is. We’re up on a slight hill, a brisk wind whipping and slicing at me. I hurry inside after him, glad to escape the chill seeping into my bones.

There are guards on either side of a set of wide, double doors made of wood. As they open, the guards step aside to admit us, inclining their heads to Carter. I follow him and Courtney inside, glad for the warmth that envelopes me as we step into a foyer.

The foyer is one large rectangular room, the main floor from which four sets of stairs branch off. The space is huge and feels hollowed out, unnatural. Or maybe it’s just that I’ve never been somewhere like this. I brush a hand over a wooden beam. How easily this place could come down with just a few well-placed sparks.

A large man rises from his seat in the centre of the room. Courtney reaches him first and gives a low bow. Bowing to your alpha? Weird. He pats her fondly on the head, and she rises, a small smile on her lips for the first time since Moira and I were spying on them.

‘Nephew,’ the man says, eyeing me. ‘What have you brought home?’

I meet his gaze. ‘Excuse me, did you just call me a what?’

Carter shoots me a glare. ‘Shh.’ He turns back to the alpha. ‘Uncle, this… is my mate. Her name is…’ He raises his brows at me.

‘Seriously?’ I lower my arms to my sides, shoulders back. ‘My name is Katherine. Katie,’ I add.

The alpha looks me over. ‘You’re… I see. The Tide Witches decreed this?’

Courtney’s smile is long gone, the slim woman vibrating with anger. ‘Alpha—’ she whines.

He holds a hand up to quiet her. ‘Nephew?’

Carter meets my gaze, displeased with my general existence. ‘Yes,’ he says wearily. ‘They said we are to mate between packs now.’

The alpha’s face brightens. ‘Then it is an honour that you will be the first.’ His blue eyes gleam hungrily. He beckons us forward.

He’s imposing, like my own alpha, but they’re as different as night and day. Where Killian’s father is all dark hues of fire and blood, this man is pale and golden like the sun, though no less muscled or frowny-faced. There are lines etched into his forehead, as though frowning is his usual expression.

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