Page 4 of Bite Me Alpha Cole

Jude just grins at me, laughing his sunny laugh. “What, you’re going to tell me it’s not true?”

“I’m just helping my country,” I grumble. “Doing what I can to take down the Children of Solace.”

“So, this sudden concern for the safety of the humanitarian volunteers,” Jude says, his voice quizzical and thrilled, “is just…patriotism?”

I nod, solid and steady, lying my ass off and doing my damn best to pretend I’m not.

Jude just laughs, shaking his head and turning away. “Well, whatever, count me out.”

“No one ever counted youin.”

“Good. There’s no way I’m spending the next couple of months burning my ass off in the desert.”

Luckily, dad saves me from any more torture as the meeting breaks up, walking over to Jude and I with his hands in his pockets. “You know I think this is a mistake, Cole.”

I raise my chin, meeting his gaze, knowing where he’s going with this and determined to end it now. “She’s mymate, dad.”

“She’s ahuman,” dad says as Iris moves to his side, her violet eyes moving rapidly between us. “It’s impossible. We’ll send you to a therapist, get your wolf straightened out –“

“There’s nothingwrongwith my wolf!”

Dad grumbles, the sound resonating low in his chest. “Wolves and humans cannot mate. You will never be able to produce a child and an heir with this girl. What, will you leave your Kingdom to the hounds after your death?”

“Or just to Jude,” I say, my mouth twisting as I look over at my little brother, who just smirks at us.

Dad sighs. “Same thing.”

“Hey!” Jude snaps, standing straighter, his smile falling from his face.

“Cole,” dad says, turning back to me. “Go on this mission if you think it necessary, but Iwillexpect you to dedicate yourself to the job and not just chase tail.”

I clench my teeth at his phrasing, displeased. Our country has come a long way in terms of integrating human and wolf culture – it’s one of the shining accomplishments of dad’s rule. In our capital, wolves and humans interact regularly and fully at peace, even forming friendships and dating.

But with the way dad is looking at me right now, it’s clear that he has different expectations forme.

“Figure your head out,” dad says, tapping his temple. “And then come back and marry a nice wolf girl. Give me some nice fat grand-pups, which is what youshouldbe concentrating on.”

I sigh, glaring at my father’s back as he turns away, frustrated that he doesn’t believe me. Mom would believe me – she always does. But she and dad aren’t talking right now and she’s locked herself away on a religious retreat, making it very difficult to get in touch.

Inwardly, I determine to do all I can to both help our people who are being held in this insane cultand, at the same time, doas dad says and…figure my shit out. Because all of this stuff with Nadia is…such a mystery, even if my wolf and I aresurethat she’s my mate.

“Come on,” I say, glancing at Jude and Iris, nodding toward the door. “Help me pack.”

“Gladly,” Jude says, giving an almost-bored yawn as he follows. “With you gone, I’ll be the most eligible bachelor in the capital. Can’twaitto get your ass out of here!”

“You’re such a pig, Jude,” Iris sighs, walking quickly to keep up with us. Jude and I are big like dad, but Iris inherited mom’s tiny frame and white-blonde hair.

“I believe you, Cole,” Iris whispers, grinning up at me as we move down the hall toward my rooms. “You go get your girl.”

I sigh, reaching out and pulling her to my side for a hug even as we continue to walk. “That’s not what it’s about, Iris.”

“Oh, whatever,” she says with a sigh, letting me go and smiling up at me. “You keep telling yourself whatever it is you need to. But if you don’t bring me home a sister-in-law by Midwinter, there will be hell to pay.”

I roll my eyes even as my wolf tilts his head back in my soul, letting out a long, slow, hopeful howl.

But I turn away from him, knowing it’s probably beyond hope, even if Iris has faith in it.

Nadia hates me, after all. And quite frankly, I’m not very fond of her right now either. But no matter how much she loathes me, I know on a very deep and primal level that…I’ve got to be near her and protect her. No matter what.

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