Page 38 of The Alpha Option
The crease between Del’s brows deepened as he straightened, looking less the businessman and more the wild wolf. “Jace. I can smell him on you.”
Oh.Ugh. “And that’s not the kind of conversation I’m really interested in. Privacy—it’s a really good concept.”
His lips twitched, and a bit of the suave lawyer returned. “It’s also not a concept we’re very good at as shifters. I guess he didn’t warn you that everyone here would know the two of you fucked.”
Temper flares were never a good thing. Cassidy knew it, but her fist still jabbed out before her brain engaged.
Del moved to block her, but she’d shot low and hard.
The next second, he doubled over, cupping his balls. “Shit.”
She laid a hand on his back and patted. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to do that. Well, I did mean to do it because you were awfully rude, but I shouldn’t have done it, just like you shouldn’t have been rude.”
Del straightened, a reddish tinge to the blue of his eyes. “You are amazing.”
Not the reaction she’d expected. “Thank you?”
He winced and then wiggled his hips for a second before gesturing her toward a nearby table and chairs. “Sit with me and let me apologize.”
Cassidy glanced over her shoulder. Blue gave her a thumbs-up and a wink, which either meant he hadn’t seen what she’d done, or if hehadseen, he totally approved. Either way she waved back, then joined Del at the table.
Del examined her for a moment then dipped his chin. “You’re the type who appreciates plain speaking, yes?”
“Absolutely.”
His gaze floated over her then drifted to where Stephanie was. “You’ve changed the dynamics. You’re strong, and wolves appreciate power. It’s very attractive.”
Which would explain the initial eye fucking she’d felt from him. “What’s up with your obsession with Stephanie, though? Why do you think you know her?”
“Wolf shifters have mates. Lucky wolves havefatedmates—a level of connection that makes them more than a couple. It connects them on an inner level and makes a pairing something spectacular.”
“It’s like wolf marriage?”
“But better. When I saw you, I considered making a play because two powerful wolves make a great team.” He glanced at Stephanie and took a deep breath as if trying to inhale her scent even from a distance. “She’s not powerful, but she smells right. She smellsnearlyright. I’m trying to figure out if she’s my fated mate.”
“And if she is? Does that mean you plan to grab her and haul her off to your cave?”
This time he looked absolutely horrified. “Please. We’re shifters, not obsessive, uncivilized humans. Mating is still a choice for both parties. Being fated mates means we’ll be drawn together on one level, but I’ll still want to woo and win my partner.”
Thank goodness. Because for a second, hearing about fated mates and thinking of the strange draw she had to Jace, Cassidy wondered if she’d already hopped down the bunny trail and swallowed the red pill.
“So having sex isn’t enough?” she asked. “To make two shifters permanent mates?”
Del stretched out his legs, grimaced for second, then sighed deeply. “It’s not about the sex. You can be mates without sex at all—although mating is supposed to make that better as well. Mating is a choice. Acceptance at a heart level, and mind, and soul.”
“That’s pretty woo-woo,” Cassidy complained.
He grinned. “We’re shifters. There’s a lot of woo-woo involved in the fact we even exist, don’t you think?”
“Definitely.” Cassidy nodded. “Thanks for taking the time to clear that up.”
“This is as good a place as any to learn about shifters. Since you’ll be part of the community. Timberwolf Lodge and all.” Del glanced to the side and caught a laughing child as she threw herself at him. He swung the little girl overhead, and shepoofed. Suddenly, instead of a toddler in a pink sundress, Del held a squirming wolf.
Cassidy’s heart raced, but all Del did was laugh approvingly, lowering the little one until he tapped noses with her. “Very well done,” he praised her even as he wiggled the squirmy creature out of the pink fabric. “Now where’s your mama?”
“Sorry, Del. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” The young woman stretched her arms out to the child. “Come here, Dixie-girl. Your Alpha is talking to somebody.”
“It’s never an interruption,” Del insisted. He handed the child over to her mother then gestured to Cassidy. “Sophie, meet Cassidy. She’s going to be reopening Timberwolf Lodge.”
