Page 31 of The Alpha's Forced Pregnant Mate

“What about the fact that I kidnapped Laura?”

She smiled and I could see her sharp teeth flashing in the moonlight. “I have a feeling she’ll make you pay for that all on her own.”

I let out a huff of a laugh. “No doubt.”

Whitney swallowed, trailing her fingers through the water. “It doesn’t have to be this way for you and your pack, you know. The best Alphas are good men, Julian. If you want this pack to thrive you’ve got to change.”

“I don’t know how to be anyone else besides who I am. A low life. A criminal.”

“Danny changed, and took a much larger pack than yours with him, changing all of them for the better.” We were silent for a moment, and then she turned to look at me again. “Did you mean what you said back at the cabin? About wanting this mating to be real?”

I nodded slowly, holding her gaze. “Yes. I’ve wanted you since I saw you.”

“Even when you thought I was going to kill you?”

I chuckled softly. “Even then. You’re a force of nature, Whitney. How could I not want you?”

Her cheeks pinkened and she looked away, and I felt a surge of pride at having made her blush. It was a good look on her. “I—okay. Thanks, I think.” It took her a few minutes to regain her composure, but when she did, she met my eyes once more. “I’m heading back to the cabin to sleep. You can walk with me if you’d like, but I think I’ve had enough serious talk for the night.”

“I’ll walk you,” I said, standing up and stretching. The moonlight hit her body as she stepped out of the water, water sluicing off of her as she shook herself slightly, and I couldn’t help but admire her. She was gorgeous, and I was lucky that she was my mate.

“Don’t get any ideas,” she said over her shoulder, and I grinned.

“I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”

She rolled her eyes at me, but I could see her lips twitching into a smile. “Come on, let’s get back to the cabin. I need some sleep.”

We walked in silence back to the cabin, and I opened the door for her, letting her walk inside first.

“Thank you,” she murmured, brushing past me to head into the bedroom. I followed her, wanting to be close to her. I didn’t like being away from her. That ended when she slammed the bathroom door in my face and came out a handful of minutes later smelling like my soap and wrapped in a towel.

Without a word I gave her some clothes to sleep in, my wolf finding contentment in seeing her wearing my things and smelling like me. She climbed into bed, pulled the covers up over herself, and closed her eyes.

I stood there for a moment, waiting for her to say something, but she didn’t. Her breathing slowed and evened out, and I knew she was asleep.

It had been a long day and I was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep just yet. I was too keyed up after everything that had happened, and my wolf was anxious and restless. I needed to shift and run.

I padded silently through the living room and kitchen to the front door, glancing at the bedroom where my mate slept peacefully. My mate. I didn’t want to leave her, but I also knew she needed some space. And so did I.

I slipped outside and let myself change, enjoying the way my muscles stretched and bones popped as I shifted. It was a relief to be in my wolf form, and I felt more at peace. It would help calm my mind and give me a chance to think without the added emotions of the bond muddying things up.

I took off at a lope, enjoying the cool night air on my face and the way the forest smelled of pine and earth. The moon was bright overhead, lighting my way as I ran, and it made me feel free.

When I finally climbed into the bed beside her hours later, showered and on the verge of falling asleep on my feet, Whitney didn’t even stir. Her words came back to me as I drifted off, and even though it went against everything I had founded the Reckless Stalkers for, I couldn’t help but wonder…what if she was right?

What if I really was destined for more than being a criminal? What if there was a way to find respect among my fellow wolves once more?

Chapter 13 - Whitney

The next few days didn’t feel as different as I thought they would, despite being officially mated to Julian Payne, Alpha of the Reckless Stalkers.

The morning after the mating ritual, I left Julian in bed and went back to the cabin that Laura and I were supposed to be sharing. She was there, unharmed as promised, and threw herself into my arms, crying and asking if I was okay.

“I’m fine,” I said, hugging her tightly and taking comfort in her scent. “He didn’t hurt me.”

“I was so scared for you,” Laura cried, her arms tightening around me. “I can’t believe this happened.”

“I know, Laura,” I soothed, rubbing her back. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

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