Page 39 of Alpha Bond

Oh, my fucking God.

“Right.” I don’t say another word until we reach the canteen.

She heard me…and she liked it. And that leaves me more confused than anything.

Chapter 16

Jagger

“You what?” Titer’s eyes are wide as Sierra and I stand before him in his office. He’s set his elbows on his desk, and his fingers are interlaced before him. I see his knuckles whiten.

“We have sealed a bond and would like to announce our intention to be officially mated,” I repeat. Sierra’s hand is warm in mine…and slightly damp. I can’t tell if that’s nerves or the fact that she’s still feverish.

My alpha blinks several times. “But… But what about your vow?”

Guilt nags at me. “I have renounced it. I have found my true mate, and it would be foolish of me to ignore the call.” I tighten my fingers around Sierra’s and pull her a little closer, feeling her pressing up against me. She gives just the tiniest resistance – so slight that only I would notice. Yet I do notice it, and there’s more guilt. And something else. Something like disappointment.

Why disappointment? It’s not as if I’m actually betraying my mother’s memory. This whole thing will simply be an elaborate act. And all for the good of the pack. I will never truly make her my mate.

Maybe that’s the problem.

Bullshit!

I focus on Titer.

“And you are sure, young lady?” He turns to Sierra.

She clears her throat, but when her voice rings out, it’s clear and confident. “I am, Alpha Greyson. I know it’s sudden, but Jagger and I have had a lot of time together. The connection is undeniable.”

I’m tempted to raise my eyebrow at her, but I don’t. And part of me is remembering that kiss…

Undeniable.

“Is that so?” Titer says.

“It is, Alpha Greyson. The strength of a mate bond is not to be taken lightly.” Her form of address is oddly stilted, not like our own ways of addressing each other, reminding me once more that she doesn’t belong here.

But maybe she should…

I keep my eyes on Titer, who is looking from me to Sierra and back. I force myself to keep my breathing slow and steady, though my gut is clenching. So much is riding on this. My pack. My people. My future. As soon as Titer accepts that I’m a mated male, I’ll be able to start making suggestions. And I’m going to tell him about the pack who took Sierra – my suspicions have been right all along.

The silence drags on as Greyson Titer eyes us. “Very well,” he says, and my breath almost hisses out. “Far be it from me to stand in the way of young love.” He winks at Sierra. Even without looking at her, I know her cheeks have flushed.

What am I thinking? Her cheeks are always slightly pink. But now, that works in our favor. She looks like a blushing bride.

My bride. Mine.

Fuck. Where did that come from? Maybe from the fact that this is exactly what my wolf and I have been working toward. A chance to do things right.

“Thank you, sir.” I dip my head. Sierra’s the one gripping my fingers now. Almost too tightly.

“We will need to advise your troop leader,” Titer says. “Callum will make arrangements for new quarters. Once things are in place, we can make the announcements, formalize your bond before the pack, and then you can start your new life together.”

Our new life together…

The words seem oddly intimate. “Yes, sir.” My voice is gruff.

Titer stands and heads to the door, and we fall in behind him. As he strides ahead of us, I’m aware of the stiff set of his shoulders. He’s unsettled by this. That doesn’t surprise me. This development puts a whole new spin on my role in the pack.

---