Filed to story: The Alpha’s Pen Pal Book
He rubs his face again and looks up at the ceiling. “I’m sorry, but yes.”
I let out a sharp, dry laugh. “You’re not sorry,” I say, shaking my head. “You just don’t want to look bad in front of your pack. You don’t want everyone to accuse you of playing favorites.”
I get up and shove my phone in my pocket.
He stands as I grab the doorknob. “Taryn, wait! I—“I open the door and glare at him over my shoulder. “Save it for someone who cares, Dominic. I’ll see you at the level five class in a few hours.”
I yank the door shut, not caring how hard it slams as I do, and ignore the growls, snarls, and noises of things being thrown from inside as I walk away.
REIDFor the second time this week, I pace the training grounds, waiting for Taryn to arrive. The last two days spent apart from her were worse than the first two days I spent apart from her. My wolf was even more on edge, and I had to stop myself from snarling, growling, or snapping at more people than I care to admit.
But I hadn’t heard one word from her. Not one. No text or phone call, nothing letting me know how everything went when she spoke to her alpha about the warrior challenge.
I refrained from texting her—no news must mean good news, and I didn’t want to be too forward or come across as possessive and controlling—but I was dying to know. And my wolf wouldn’t calm down until we saw her again, until we could smell her again. Her scent had all but vanished from my Mustang. My plan of not driving it at all was in vain, because her scent still dissipated into nothing.
I couldn’t sleep. Not at home or in any of the other places I had taken to crashing in over the years since my mom died. I could eat only small amounts of food before feeling like I was going to puke—not even cookies sounded tasty.
And the worst part of it all is it is still two weeks until the full moon. Two more weeks of this misery. Two more weeks until I can reject her and be free from the mate bond.
Free from her.
Forever.
I suck in a breath and freeze, pinching the bridge of my nose. Why did my gut clench at that thought? Why did my heart plummet to my feet? Why are my palms sweating?
Why am I doing this to myself?
“Reid?”
Someone touches my shoulder, and I whip my head around and drop my hand, face to face with the woman of my spiraling thoughts.
My mate.
Goddess, she is stunning. Long legs, gorgeous dark curls, high cheekbones, and those midnight sky eyes that glitter with stars when she’s excited or being mischievous. And beneath all that, she’s smart, sassy, fiery, and brave.
Mine.
No. Not mine. Not really.
But she could be. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed or wanted. But now that she’s here, now that I’ve met her, I’m ruined. Even if I reject her, she’ll leave a mark on me, anyway. I’ll never be the same male I was before I met her.
And maybe I don’t want to be the same.
But is it worth it?
I’m not sure it is.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
Her hand rubs my shoulder, and I curse the sleeve of my T-shirt, curse the fabric between her skin and mine. I want her touch. I want the fireworks.
“How’d it go?” I ask, turning towards hers as she drops her hand. “What did he say? What did he do?”
“Well, he wasn’t happy about it. But my trial is scheduled for two weeks. Or, a week and a half, now, I guess.”
“That’s great news!” I say, lifting my hand to give her a high five.
She returns the gesture, but the smile she gives me doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “He banned me from the warrior training sessions, though.”
I growl, and my lip curls, my hand squeezing hers before she can pull away. “He did what?!”
“Usually, the trainees in the top class are allowed at up to two elite warrior practices a week, but Dominic alpha commanded me away from them. And he ordered everyone in the pack against helping me get ready for the challenge.”
I growl again, the blood in my veins turning to fire, my wolf stalking back and forth in my mind, the fur at his neck standing on end. “That bastard.” I turn on my heel and storm away towards the garage of the packhouse. “I’m going to drive up there and give him a piece of my mind. He can’t keep my girl from training with a group she has every right to be a part of.”
Her hand tugs on mine, though, stopping me in my tracks, forcing me to turn and face her again. “Reid.” She sighs. “It’s not worth it. And it’s only for two weeks. Then I’ll get to be there all the time.”
“You’re right.” I nod, blowing out a breath and ignoring the sparks and tingles left behind from her thumb rubbing my hand. “I don’t need to start a pack war over this. We need to do everything by the book, so he has no choice but to grant you your warrior status.”
She squeezes my hand and drops it, smiling at me, her eyes sparkling. “My girl?”
My hands rest on my hips, and I freeze, but I force my face to remain neutral. Those words weren’t supposed to slip out of my mouth. But it was so natural to say. So easy to claim her, even in that casual way.
My girl. My mate. Mine.
“Yeah.” I draw out the word, rubbing my chin. How can I cover my slip-up? “I’m training you. I’m invested in your success. So… you’re mine. My girl.”
“What happened to ‘Cadet’?” Her eyes glitter as she walks closer, stopping when she’s two steps away.
My heart skips a beat in my chest. So close. She’s so close to me. Her scent floats in the air, light and sweet and oh so intoxicating, and all it would take for that pesky, minuscule distance to close is for me to grab her and pull her against me.
But I don’t. I lick my lips and cross my arms to prevent myself from acting on those instincts. “That’s for active training. For when you’re complaining or being naughty.”
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?