Page 46 of The Alpha's Runaway Mate
“Yeah,” I say quickly, then hesitate. “It’s my…” The wordmatealmost slips out. “boyfriend. He had to take care of something.”
She smiles, handing me my bag. “Ah, the mysterious boyfriend. Lucky guy.”
I laugh softly. “Thanks for today, Paige.”
“Anytime. See you tomorrow, ten o’clock.”
Outside, the air’s cooler, clouds rolling in over the ridge. The streetlights hum quietly as the town settles into evening.
I have a job. A friend. A small piece of my life that’s mine again. And somewhere out there, Nolan’s doing what he has to. I just hope he comes back safe.
The drive back to the cabin is calm. The sky’s dipped into that dusky blue between day and night, clouds rolling low over the mountains. The air smells like pine and rain, cool wind brushing my skin through the open window.
By the time I pull into the drive, Nolan’s truck isn’t there. The empty space feels wrong, like the house itself is holding its breath. He said he had to deal with Declan. Whatever that means, it doesn’t sound simple.
The worry flickers, but I push it down. He’s strong and capable. If anyone can handle whatever’s happening out there, it’s him.
Inside, the cabin’s quiet, dim light spilling through the curtains, the faint scent of his soap still lingering. My bag drops onto the table with a soft thud.
I wander into the bathroom and turn the hot water on. The pipes groan, then settle into a steady rush, steam filling the room. My reflection looks softer in the fogged mirror. I look tired, but not broken.
I pour bubble bath into the water and sink into the warmth. The heat seeps into my muscles, loosening everything I’ve been carrying all day. I close my eyes and let the quiet hold me.
The sound of the front door pulls me from the haze. Footsteps. Floorboards creaking. My heart stutters before his voice finds me. “Jess?”
“In here,” I call softly.
A few seconds later, Nolan fills the doorway wearing worn jeans, a dark T-shirt, and his damp hair curling at his temples, exhaustion etched in every line. The sight makes my chest ache. He leans against the door frame. “You okay?”
I nod, watching the corner of his mouth twitch into something like a smile. “Bubble bath, huh?”
“It’s been a long day,” I murmur. “You?”
He exhales, stepping closer until the light catches the gold flecks in his eyes. “Yeah. Long doesn’t even cover it.”
“Declan?”
He nods. “He’s alive. Hurt, confused. Whatever’s been inside him... it’s still there. But he came back on his own. That’s something.”
I sit up a little, water lapping. “And you? Are you okay?”
His gaze softens. Then he crouches beside the tub, resting his arms on his knees. “I am now.”
The words are low, rough, and they do dangerous things to my heartbeat. He traces his fingers lightly through my damp hair. “You smell like vanilla.”
“Better than pine and rain,” I tease softly.
That earns me a quiet laugh. “You got me there.”
“I stopped by a bookstore today,” I tell him, breaking the quiet. “Met a girl named Paige.”
His brow lifts slightly. “Who’s Paige?”
“A new friend,” I say. “She’s running her uncle’s bookshop for the summer. I offered to help with inventory and spreadsheets.”
He studies me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “You took a job?”
I nod, half-defensive. “Part-time. Cash. Nothing big. It just… feels good to be doing something again.”
