Page 117 of Mated
Soft steps shuffle the gravel and a familiar broad frame stops next to the picnic table. There is no urge to speak. Whatever problems were between the Alpha and myself are no more.
Something about uniting for the pack has healed a hurt that should have never existed.
Callus was my best fucking friend long ago. Too many years have passed to ever get that back in a matter of days. But maybe … One day.
“You guys heading out soon?” he asks mildly.
I wave my phone. “Yeah. Nisha is grabbing a few things from her apartment, and then we’ll hit the road.”
His head bobs and silence swirls around us. “I’m giving my resignation this weekend,” he mutters after a time.
I look at him. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Seems like the right thing to do,” he tells me. “I’ve been Alpha for seven years. I never realized the pack was getting weaker. It never occurred to me that it was possible.” His eyes pulse. “I should’ve felt it. Should’ve realized that something was wrong.”
His head turns and he glances at me. “You felt it though.”
Callus, despite his strength, did not come from Silver Rock. His ties aren’t as strong here. As deep. And the pack needs someone that can truly use the land—theciorcal—to better the people.
He could be that Alpha.
If he still wanted it bad enough. But Daisy’s betrayal did more than hurt the pack. It caused a rift.
Just like she fucking wanted.
“Silver Rock is still a part of me,” I finally say. “And it always will be. But it’s not my home anymore. It’s notmypack.”
His hazel eyes darken. “I know. But if you wanted it, I would give it to you.”
I climb to my feet and walk to him. He watches me, a touch of the old Callus filling his features with his familiar arrogance. I grip his shoulder. “And if you tried, I would kick your fucking ass.” His lips quirk, and I let my hand fall. “Look. I’m not saying he would, but there is someone who might be willing to come scope everything out. Who might be able to give you some insight and some guidance.”
Callus peers at me in confusion. “Oh yeah? Who?”
I smile. “Give me your phone.”
***
I stop outside Nisha’s apartment. She is already on the front steps, a duffel and a bulging backpack at her side as she reclines back on her hands. In the sunlight, she damn near glows, her tawny skin flawless and smooth. And so fucking perfect it makes it hard for me to breathe.
I climb out of the truck and walk up to her. My shadow blocks out the sun over her, darkening her complexion and her thick, sexy hair. “Hey, kitty. Need a lift?”
Her eyes open and her lips curve. She sits forward, licking her lips as her eyes trail from my head down. “I don’t know. What do I have to do for a ride?”
My body responds instantly and I groan. “Just get in the damn truck and you can ride me wherever you want to go.”
Her laughter is bright and my fucking gut clenches at the silken sound. She climbs to her feet and brushes her lips against mine.
I grip her side, hauling her up tight against me. The little inhale she makes is enough to make me consider backing her inside. Then again … My truck has a bench seat.
Her hands splay over my chest and she pushes me back. “Keep this up and we’ll get back to Lock Lake hours after everyone else.”
My eyes cover her upturned face in silver light. “Fine by me.”
She snorts, grabs her backpack, and walks around me to the truck. I pick up her duffel. “Yeah, well, you said there is an actual pool and it’s hot as hell outside.” Her damn bubble ass strains her shorts as she opens the door and climbs up to push her bag over the seat.
I’m across the space between us before I can rationalize it.
I toss her duffel in the back too, and lean down to nuzzle her face and the slim column of her throat. “We can stop at a hotel with a pool,” I murmur into her skin.
