Page 13 of The Brooding Alpha's Mate
Fleeing for his safety meant a life without a mate or a family—forever. I was about to make a decision that would change the course of my life—for the second time in two days.
Alex was too incredible to succumb to the wrath of the lions.
I wouldn’t let it happen.
I stepped outside and after some swift scanning of the landscape, decided to head north. I’d taken two steps when I slammed into something hard and warm.
Damn it. Now I’d really done it.
“Colson? Is everything okay? Did something happen?”
My plan had failed. It was becoming a pattern of mine.
“No. I…”
He put his large hands on my shoulders. “Tell me. Please.”
I sighed and shook my head. I couldn’t possibly lie to this man. He’d saved me. Fed me. Cared for me.
Belonged to me.
“I was going to run away.”
His dark eyes somehow became even blacker. His brow dipped above his nose, revealing lines on his forehead. When his bottom lip pouted, my heart skipped a beat. “You were going to run away from me?”
When he said it that way, I sounded like a heartless rogue. “I was running to keep you safe. You don’t know Dean and those lions. They are ruthless and violent. They are stupid as fuck in most ways, but their criminal minds make them dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
Alex wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me against his stocky frame. He was so big and yet soft and the perfect cozy temperature. I would nest right on top of his chest if he let me. It would be the perfect spot. “My sweet omega, I belong to you. I’ve been waiting all my life for my mate. I’ll be damned if I let some pesky lions get in between us.”
“But…”
He pressed the pad of his thumb over my lips. “Please don’t fight me on this, mate. We are in this together.”
I nodded, struck dumb by my mate and his words. “What do we do, then?”
Alex pulled back to look me in the eye but kept our bodies flush. “There is a safe house not far from here. It’s close enough that I can call for help but far enough to lead them away from the warehouse. There are hundreds of omegas being held here andthe crew, their mates, and countless cubs. I don’t want them in danger.”
“When do we leave?” I asked.
“Now. I was coming to get you after I talked to the crew. I have the truck packed with everything we need. I borrowed it from them. They are friends.”
“What would you have done if I ran?”
“I would’ve run after you and not stopped until I found you. I know we only met less than a day ago, but my bear, he’s grown attached to you.” Alex winked at me, and suddenly I had no knees. No legs. No pride. I would’ve lain down and given myself to him if we weren’t being hunted.
“Should we go?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
With our hands joined, we walked around the larger-than-life building and to a vehicle that, to me, was more of an SUV than a truck. Alex opened the door for me and made sure I was putting my seat belt on, before going to the driver’s side to take his own seat.
“I like you in my clothes. Feels right.” He smiled and started up the SUV.
“Oh. I grabbed it off the back of a chair. I didn’t see you pack other clothes.”
“I keep a bag packed at all times. Just a habit. And we can stop at the store on the way and get anything you might need.”
I looked out the window as the gigantic building got smaller and smaller in the side mirror. “My needs have gotten so small over the last few months.”
