Page 34 of The Bear's Fated Mate
“They’re far more charming presents than I expected from tone-deaf suitors,” she said, sniffing the air as the scent of chocolate truffles filtered across the room from the enormous box lying open on the mantle. “It has to be someone trying to make a good impression.”
“Is it working?” he asked.
She arched a brow, staring at him intently. She lay naked on her back under him, chest still heaving from their most recent bout of sex. “Oh, definitely. Haven’t you seen me running up and down the halls of the pack house looking for someone to fool around with because it’s been simplyagessince I got any.”
Alex offered a wicked grin. It felt good to be able to tease her and watch her heart kick up a notch as the pulse pounded at the base of her throat. “If you’ve still got energy to burn, then I guess I don’t have to wait to dothis…”
* * *
It tooka full week before Alex felt confident enough that the fever had passed and they could venture out into public.
The week together had been interesting. Alex was gratified to know he’d made it through another year unscathed. No mate bond had appeared, although he had a new appreciation for the woman who’d helped him.
His regard wasn’t only sexual, although he’d be willing to go for a repeat anytime she offered. Somewhere in the past week, Alex had gotten to know Lara better. The stories they’d shared and the honest conversations meant she was now three-dimensional. She was no longer an unknown enemy but someone trying her best, same as him.
Laughter bloomed beside him, and Alex glanced up to discover his brother Cooper shaking his head in amusement.
Cooper turned to Lara, who sat beside Alex at the oversized table. “Are you sure he’s done with the fever?”
“Why are you asking her?” Alex demanded. “I’m right here.”
James was across the table with his arm curled around his mate. “Because you’re here in body, but a moment ago you were totally distracted, staring into space.”
The brunette sitting beside him tilted her head then grinned. “It’s just not like you, Alex. You’re always so intense and focused. Especially considering where we are.”
Kaylee gestured around them.
She was right. Considering they were gathered at a large table at Sirius Trouble, the wolf-run roadhouse, Alex should’ve been a lot more on edge.
Especially considering he and his brothers rarely dropped in at the competition. Plus, there were women with them—Kaylee for one—and Amber, the head secretary from Borealis Gems.
Plus Lara, of course, but at least her being there made some sort of sense.
Her presence was probably why he wasn’t bothering to pay attention. There’d been a brief pause when he and Lara had marched through the doors, but after a week of seeing Alex invade the pack house, conversations went back to normal pretty quick.
Then his brothers had shown up.
Yet all it’d taken for the wolves to settle down was for Lara to walk across the room and welcome them. There were still murmurs, but they were few and far between, stifled as soon as Lara glanced at the offending pack mate and sent out a shot of wolfie mojo.
“No need for me to be on high alert when she’s got it under control.” Alex grinned at Lara. “Seems you said something about having better food here than we have at Diamond Tavern. Put up or shut up,” he ordered.
They’d taken the largest table possible, and while the food arrived in waves, conversation moved briskly.
“What’s your plan now that the fever’s over?” Cooper asked.
Lara and Alex exchanged glances before he answered quietly. “I’m staying at the pack house for a bit. We’re working on a project together.”
Amber’s eyes grew wide. She hauled a pad of paper out of her purse and quickly scribbled a note, sliding it across the table to Lara.
Does this have something to do with that thing we discussed a while ago?
Alex kicked himself. Of course. That’s why Lara had been hanging out with Kaylee and Amber. Not to try and cause trouble, but to help solve it. He should’ve assumed the women would be a step ahead of him on this.
Lara jotted a quick answer and pushed it back, which was a really smart thing considering the power of wolf hearing. Even a whispered conversation about this would spread like wildfire.
Yes. We’re looking into it. I’ll let you know ASAP.
Lara made no mention of her potential-partner-alpha-wolf issue, but there was only one straggler still hanging on, and the longer Alex was around, the weaker his interest seemed.
