Page 78 of Sing Sweet Nightingale

But I also want more. I want to know if she talks in her sleep, what her favorite movie is, her greatest fear and deepest desires, how fast she can run, whether she wants children and whether she plans on going back to her life as a famous pop star.

That last one is a rather pressing issue. It would be difficult, but I’d make it work if she wanted to return to LA and continue her career as Alexandria. I could pose as her bodyguard. My inner beast wouldn’t be pacified with anything less. As her mate, I would be her best protection. But it would also be difficult.

There are non-humans who are successful celebrities, so it can be done. None of them are alphas, though. I may complain about the day-to-day responsibilities as mayor, but I would never change it. I’m an alpha. I’m born to lead and command. If an alpha doesn’t have a pack, they can go insane. Literally, if that were to happen, I would be useless as a mate to Lottie. And that won’t suffice. I’d have to create a new pack. I’d have to leave Ryder and Ginger, my parents, Donna and Levi, Dottie and Fynn. I’ve established my pack here; leaving it now would be painful.

Not having my mate could be more painful. I would eventually get past the physical pain of the separation as long as we never solidify the bond. But the emotional pain of knowing I had the opportunity to have Lottie for a mate and let her slip through my fingers would destroy me.

I can go back and forth in my head all day, but nothing will be solved until I work things out with Lottie. Until she definitively tells me yes or no. Until then, I’m no longer going to restrain myself. I won’t deny myself her touch and affection. Her smile and laughter. Her lighthearted kindness and easy-going banter. Her sweet, enchanting voice. That is if she ever sings for me again.

I will learn everything there is to know about my mate and give her every pleasure our bodies demand. I will show her what it will be like to be mated to an alpha, tome.

Fuck, I never thought I would find my perfect mate. And unless she denies me, I will make her mine. I’ll just have to be very convincing.

It’s been hours since I left Lottie with Ginger, and I can just imagine what my sister has filled her head with. Not that I think she would speak badly of me; she loves me. She loves Lottie, and I’m sure would love for us to be mates. I’m more concerned she told embarrassing stories of our childhood and frightened her with stories of the mating ceremony.

Knowing you’re going to be hunted and chased through a forest in the middle of the night under a full moon to be mounted and fucked by a nine-foot-tall wolf beast and then bitten while orgasming can be overwhelming for some. For others, it’s arousing. Just thinking about chasing Lottie through the dark woods, hearing her heavy breaths and echoing laughter, has my cock hardening in my pants again.

That’s going to be happening a lot more now. The more I touch and smell her, the more my body will respond, hoping to fuck and mate. I don’t blame it; Lottie is sexy as hell.

Stuffing down my growing desire, I reprimand myself and adjust my cock to a more comfortable and less visible position. It won’t go away completely, but at least I can minimize my reactions around my siblings. In private, alone with Lottie, I’ll wear my boner like a badge of pride. Showing her exactly how aroused she makes me isn’t something I am embarrassed by.

This time, I don’t walk to Lottie’s cabin but drive over in my truck, tossing an overnight bag in the back seat with a few changes of clothes. I don’t plan on leaving Lottie’s side until this Vincent situation is handled. Making her leave the comfort of her space in the cabin won’t help her to trust me, so I figure sleeping on the couch for a few days won’t hurt. Maybe once she’s more comfortable with the idea of us, I can bring her to my house and show her where she might live if she were my mate.

My house is nice—two stories, large spacious rooms, with a multi-car garage—but I’m sure it doesn’t hold a candle towhatever mansion she lived in back in Los Angeles. I can only hope my humble abode doesn’t offend her.

She seems happy enough in the small cabin so I think she might like my house. But will she be okay sharing it with Ryder? At least until he marries or finds his mate.

Arriving at the cabin in mere minutes, I’m glad to see both Ginger and Lottie’s cars still parked outside. Which means they didn’t leave, or they did and came back safely. Either way, my mate is here, safe.

Looking around the clearing, I sniff for signs of elves or any other presence lurking in the shadows. I neither smell nor hear any, which pacifies my protective instinct for the time being.

I don’t even knock as I enter through the front door. She better just get used to me being around because I don’t plan on leaving—ever.

Both Lottie and my sister are curled up on the couch, talking and laughing. My Nightingale’s sweet laughter rings out like the purest joy. It absorbs into my skin and settles itself deep in my heart.

“Hey, Hunter, did everything go okay?” Ginger calls over the back of the couch, causing Lottie to turn her luminous smile in my direction.

The sight of her nearly makes me speechless, but I manage to force out the words. “Yeah. All good.”

“And Vincent?” Lottie adds, a small bit of her smile dampening at the mention of the elf.

“Nothing yet. Wherever he’s hiding out, he’s keeping quiet and letting his henchmen do his dirty work.”

Ginger growls, and a matching scowl sours her expression. I feel the same way about the bastard, but I can’t do much until he makes a move. Attacking an elf of his stature without “provocation” (at least what they believe to be) would be dangerous and invite even more mayhem upon our town.

It's best to wait him out. Eventually, he’ll cross a line, and I’ll make sure he feels the full force of my beast when he does.

“All right, love birds. I have some things to take care of. Gossip blogs to suppress and Reddit pages to irradicate.”

Ginger stands from the couch, scoops up her purse and travel tumbler from the end table, rounding to meet me. She presses a kiss to my cheek and then winks at me.What the fuck is she winking for?

“See y’all later. Remember,” she turns to look over her shoulder at Lottie. “Mom’s house tomorrow, ten a.m. cooking lesson.”

Lottie nods her head adamantly her smile broadening and flashing her white teeth. I want to argue against her going out tomorrow, but she’ll be with Ginger and me at my parents’ house. Because I’ll be going with her. I’ll be going with her everywhere for the next week at least. But I plan to keep her here in the cabin, safe and secure, until Vincent gives up and leaves town empty-handed once again. Or until I make him.

Ginger zips out of the cabin like a whirlwind, shutting the door behind her, leaving me and Lottie alone once again. Just the way I like it.

“Hello there, sweet Nightingale. What did you and my exasperating sister do while I was gone?”

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