Page 9 of Challenged Mate
“How’d you sleep?”
I sat on the chair and sipped my coffee before replying, “Fine.”
The truth was, I slept like a rock. That mattress was seriously comfortable. So was everything else in the apartment. Whoever Kayla was, she certainly knew her way around high-quality furniture.
“I’m glad to hear it. Interested in that tour?” He lifted an eyebrow.
I took another sip of coffee. It was that question that hounded me in the hours before I went to bed last night.
Part of me wanted to hide away from the Wilds Pack—namely, the alpha—for as long as possible, but the sensible side of me knew I shouldn’t prolong the inevitable.
Chase waited for my response, watching me with all the patience in the world.
I finally lowered the thermos and asked, “What, exactly, do you want to show me today?”
“Well, to start, I planned to take you into town. I saw you didn’t bring much with you, and we have all the shops you could need. You should be able to find anything you’re missing. If not, we can order it in on our monthly shipment.”
“You only get supplies once a month?”
“For certain things, yes. The rest, we are able to retrieve from towns and communities close to pack lands.”
His lips turned down as he continued, “Don’t get any ideas about leaving though. Those towns are at least a day’s run away in wolf form, and the paths go through Alaskan wilderness. It’s a dangerous trip for anyone who doesn’t know the way.”
“Don’t worry,” I said bitterly, staring at the thermos in my hands. “I wasn’t planning on running away.” I already ruled out the possibility last night.
“Good.” Chase’s bright demeanor returned. “Do you want to eat breakfast first, or should we head out?”
The thought of food made me nauseous. “Let’s head out.”
Chase hopped to his feet and walked through the front door. I followed, grabbing a beanie I’d left on the small dining room table before I closed the door behind me.
I pulled the hat over my wayward curls as we walked the short hallway between the apartment door and the external door. I blinked at the bright sun as we stepped outside, then turned to lock the blue door with the key Asher had left with me last night.
An excited shrill broke the morning’s calm quiet, “Oh the Mother! Is that her? I can’t believe it! You’re actually here!”
Eyes wide, I spun around, shocked when a slender pair of tan arms wrapped around me and squeezed tight. “It is so nice to meet you, Blair. I’m Kayla.”
My limbs locked in place. Was this the Kayla who decorated the apartment—the alpha’s lover?
Discomfort had me shifting my arms, trying to gently break her hold, but the girl was strong. Clearly, she was a shifter.
“Yikes, Kayla. Heard of personal space? Blair isn’t exactly a hugger.” Chase coupled his gentle reprimand with a laugh.
“Oh.” Kayla swiftly dropped her arms and stepped back. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
I took in her sincere expression, momentarily drawn in by her blue eyes. They seemed familiar.
I knew why when Chase said, “Blair Hemmings, let me introduce you to Kayla Wolfstan, Asher’s sister.”
Understanding dawned, coupled with renewed unease.
So, Asher’s sister was with the alpha.
I guessed my fated mate had more than one reason to despise the arrangement I found myself in.
I took in the female shifter’s piercing blue eyes. They were so much like her brother’s. They even shared the same sharp cheekbones and full lips. Aside from the obvious differences provided by their genders, the main difference between the siblings would be their hair. Kayla’s was midnight black while her brother’s was a dark, warm chestnut. After many nights of reluctant, vivid dreams, I had the color memorized.
“It is so nice to meet you,” Kayla gushed. “Everyone in our pack knows about the famous female alpha heir! You’re kind of a hero among our pack’s females.”
