Page 8 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

No!

“I’m proposing to Summer after graduation.”

My entire body tensed like I was bracing myself to be hit head-on by a semi.

This had to be a dream that turned into a nightmare, right? This couldn't be happening. I was about to wake up in my bed and realize this was all just some sick joke my subconscious was playing on me. My brother couldn't be proposing to the only girl I'd ever loved.

Was it childish if I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming?

Axel opened the lid and revealed a modest diamond with a gold band. “I know it isn't much, but it's all I can afford with my job right now. Do you think Summer will like it?”

“Of course,” I lied.

One time, before Summer and Axel started dating, she told us that she preferred silver jewelry over gold. How could Axel not remember that?

If he can’t remember such a simple detail about her, he shouldn’t be proposing to her!

I smoothed my hands down my jeans, trying to stay present in the moment. I was having a strange out-of-body experience, like I was floating above my body and staring down at myself.

Axel still had the ring out, and I wished he would just put it back in his pocket. I couldn't look away from the damn thing.

“Why aren't you saying anything?” he asked, closing the box with a snap. “Do you think Summer and I are too young to get married? Do you think her parents will be against it? Just say something, dude, please.”

Now that the ring was gone, I could think straight.

“Oh, no…that's not it. I'm just surprised,” I said. “It's just, um…quick.”

Well, at least that was the truth.

“Yeah, I know we're young, but I love her. I'm pretty sure I do.”

My head whipped to the side.

“You're pretty sure? Axel, asking someone to spend the rest of their life with you is a huge deal. You have to be certain that you love her before you ask her,” I warned him.

“Chill out, Dad,” he joked, grabbed his red backpack, and swung open his door. “I do love her. Why else would I buy a ring?”

I grabbed my own backpack and rushed after him. A couple of people greeted me, and I nodded back at them. Summer was already finished with her finals, so she wouldn't be at school today.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked when I caught up to him. “Graduation is in a month. You still have a little while to think about proposing to her. I'm just looking out for you, man. I want to make sure you aren't rushing things for both yours and Summer's sake.”

There was also a selfish third reason that I was trying to talk him out of proposing to Summer, but I would never say it out loud.

“I promise to think about whether this is what I truly want. I'll take a month and really consider it,” Axel promised me.

I studied his expression, trying to see if he was just trying to placate me.

“That's all I ask, man. I swear that if you decide to ask her, I'll be happy for you,” I said, hoping I sounded believable.

“Thanks, dude.” He patted my shoulder. “Come on, we're going to be late.”

And just like that, the subject was dropped.

We walked through the busy courtyard in silence. My head was so full of thoughts that I didn't know which one to concentrate on first.

“Oh, hey, I never asked you how the meeting went with the Alpha King and his daughter,” Axel said while he adjusted the strap of his backpack.

“Not well,” I admitted, glad to be talking about something that didn't have to do with the ring in Axel's pocket.

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