Page 43 of Challenged Mate
I’d thought I would be mating a middle-aged man, but apparently that wasn’t true.
When would the surprises stop coming?
Just when I thought I was figuring things out, some new piece of information came along to throw me off balance. Familiar anger began swirling in my chest.
Hank returned with Debbie’s mojito, cutting off Jenny’s and Kayla’s back and forth.
He walked away, but no one broke the silence that settled over our group. I felt their apprehensive stares as I continued to watch Chase.
The more I thought about all the deception I’d experienced since meeting him and Asher, the greater my anger became. My power flickered in response. It was nothing short of a miracle that no golden light broke through my skin. My control of the power was still sub-par, at best. I needed to calm down, but that was easier said than done.
A bulky form wedged himself between me and my view of the dance floor, distracting me from my tumultuous temper.
“Don’t tell me, you have a thing for my baby brother.”
I tilted my head back and identified Stanley. The raspy-voiced shifter wore a tight-fitting button down. The sleeves were rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. His blond hair was gelled in place, giving him a clean-cut appearance compared to when we first met.
My eyes traveled over him. He was good-looking. It was unfortunate he was an arrogant prick.
But my latest revelations had me wondering if he really was.
A prick, I mean.
If the Wilds pack was like the others, the alpha and beta positions were passed through family bloodlines. As the older brother, Stanley should’ve been beta. Chase’s power and abilities must be impressive for him to have claimed the title from his older sibling.
Even so, the perceived slight would rub any shifter the wrong way. I couldn’t blame Stanley for resenting his brother, or the alpha who appointed him to the position.
Finished with my perusal, I lifted my eyes to Stanley’s.
He wore a self-satisfied smirk, but it lacked the arrogance from our first meeting.
I finally responded, “Trust me. I have no interest in your brother.”
“Thank the Mother for that.” Stanley grinned. I had to admit, it did wonders for his features.
He continued, “I’m sorry almost running you over.”
“What?”
He hiked his thumb over his shoulder. “Outside. I was driving my motorcycle.”
“Oh.” I remembered now.
“Yeah,” Stanley continued. “I was so distracted seeing you in that dress, I lost my head for a second.” His eyes trailed over me appreciatively, and I couldn’t stop my cheeks from heating.
“N-no worries.” I cleared my throat. “It’s fine.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Good, then you shouldn’t object to dancing with me,” he spoke so confidently, it took me a second to remember all the reasons I should say no.
A refusal formed on my lips, but then I thought back to what Chase said about the alpha not liking if I danced with another male.
And the lies I’d been fed for weeks now.
Defiance filled me.
