Page 7 of A Kitten for Alpha Kenny

Sometimes Fate knew best, and it was not right to fight her. Perhaps one day she’d help me with my loneliness. Surrounded by people I cared for and yet with an aching for a mate, I’d hoped to find one who shared my love of my other life, but things had changed.

As Zoe pointed out, everyone needed a little break from time to time, and this was a work trip anyway. No harm in a little extension of time to take care of as much as possible and maybe rest. My beta also mentioned that an exhausted alpha did nobody any good. Of course, the packlands were not far away, and I could have just come home after the event, but the idea of a night or two in a hotel room far from the constant needs of a healing people held great appeal.

I drove away from the lands in the 4-wheel-drive SUV I’d traded my beloved luxury sedan in for when I got stuck in the mud once too often. It wasn’t fair to her…or to the pack members who had to come help me dig out. They never complained, but after what I’d learned about my predecessor using them like personal servants, I never wanted them to have cause to think the same of me.

SUV or sedan, I was elated to turn onto the highway and merge into traffic flowing toward the city. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable using pack funds for an upscale accommodation, but I had the money I’d saved when I sold my townhouse. That hurt too… I’d go to Wolfe Enterprises and meet with Aspen, take him out for a nice meal to thank him for the invitation, and then we’d go to the club together. One thing I didn’t mind spending pack money on was the fundraiser. It would help show others present that we were not only out of the financial bind we’d been in but that we didn’t mind being generous for others in need.

The deep-blue desert sky stretched toward the mountains in the distance where Animals was located. The mysterious Superstitions with all their lore. A few puffy white clouds sailed majestically along, casting their shadows on the desert floor below. I turned on the stereo and leaned back in my seat, drawing deep, relaxed breaths. Zoe was right as always. Everyone needed to get away sometimes, and I would take full advantage of this time and return refreshed and ready to reshoulder my responsibilities. I had left her fully in charge, only to contact me in an emergency. This would be good experience for her.

As if I have any choice.

But I didn’t mind, much. I’d grown used to it all.

All plans for meeting Aspen at his office fell apart when my car did. Strictly, it did not fall apart, but I was halfway to town when the engine died, and it took a while to get a pack mechanic out with another vehicle for me to drive while they dealt with mine.

The sedan wouldn’t have done this to me.

By the time I was on the road again, it was dark, and I’d already let Aspen know I would not be able to meet him at his office. We’d arranged to meet at Animals if possible. He offered to send a beta for me, but I couldn’t ask that. For one, it wasn’t a good look for me as pack alpha. Many didn’t even drive themselves at all, but I liked it. When the vehicles cooperated.

I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast, but Animals served food, I’d been told, so I pushed on and didn’t stop for anything, wanting to at least arrive at the fundraiser close to on time. The road to Animals was longer than I’d anticipated, and the parking lot was packed. I truly was late. Aspen had told me it was by invitation only tonight, but my name was on the list, so I should have no problem getting in.

After circling the parking lot a couple of times, I found a spot at the very end of a row and parked. Then I followed some stragglers up a cliffside pathway to the doors where a bear shifter manned a podium with a reading light mounted on it. I gave him my name and checked down a list then nodded. “Good evening, alpha. Please wait one moment while I let Karma know you’re here.” The owner’s mate wanted to meet me? Why?

“I’m right here.” A woman appeared in the doorway and offered him her hand. “Welcome, Alpha Kenny. We’ve been hearing things about you lately.” She was human, I’d heard, but there was something about her that promised she was more than that. I couldn’t pin down what.

I shook her hand, her grip firm but not obnoxiously so. “Good things, I hope.”

“Oh yes.” She smiled and drew me inside before releasing my hand. “All good. Now, can I offer you refreshment, or…”

A scent reached my nose, a cozy blend of vanilla beans and cinnamon, and my wolf went on full alert. Everything the woman in front of me was saying was overtaken by a chanting from deep inside me.

“Thank you for your gracious greeting, but I have to go. I scent something I need to deal with.” It sounded ridiculous, but she only smiled again.

“I’m sure you do.” Karma stepped aside as if I might have walked right through her if she hadn’t. And I couldn’t have sworn I wouldn’t have in my single-minded march toward my mate.

It was my mate. My wolf was sure of it. There were so many people between us, and I wanted to shout at them all to move aside, get out of my way, let me through. Luckily, I had just enough presence of mind left not to do that. I just moved with purpose, and they seemed to melt away without being asked.

Fate. I’d been wishing for a mate, and she’d answered.

But when I saw them, they were with someone. A tall, good-looking alpha who was introducing them to another alpha. He called him his plus one. And then the omega, my mate, mentioned getting a babysitter for his child.

My mate already had someone. And they had a family.

I turned on a heel and walked back the way I came, only lifting a hand when the bear shifter asked me if anything was wrong. At least Karma wasn’t there to see my humiliation. And none of my pack.

Not only had Fate placed me in the pack where I had never wanted to be, but now she’d shown me my mate so I’d know I couldn’t have him.

Approaching my borrowed car, I pulled the key fob out of my pocket, wanting only to get away from this place and put miles between me and my mate before I did something stupid. And then I dropped the fob, and it landed under the car.

Dammit!

Chapter Six

Mulder

I turned slowly in front of the mirror. I might not be looking forward to the party, but even I had to admit I looked pretty good. Grampa Swale had been right when he picked out a navy-blue suit instead of the standard black. It really accentuated my eyes and my ass.

He was watching Madeline for me, tonight, too. Well, actually, he was watching a movie, because she had already fallen asleep for the night. It was field trip day at school, and she was exhausted beyond measure when she got home. I wasn’t sure she was going to be awake long enough for me to make her spaghetti, her favorite dinner. Even knowing Grandpa Swale was coming over hadn’t been enough to keep her eyes open. I had a feeling she was going to be up with the sun.

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