Page 54 of The Alpha's Runaway Mate
“Uh, yeah,” I say, startled and smiling. “Hi.”
“I’m Brooke,” she says, shifting the toddler, who’s grinning at me like I’ve invented dessert. “This little guy’s Owen. And don’t let Nolan fool you, he’s got everyone here wrapped around his finger. Even Mason.”
“That’s a damn lie,” Nolan says, deadpan.
Brooke laughs. “Sure it is. Come on, you two, there’s food everywhere. If you don’t eat now, you’ll have to fight for leftovers.”
She leads us through the crowd. People greet Nolan, nods, waves, murmured hellos. Some give me curious looks, but it’s friendly, not judging. It’s overwhelming, but not unkind. By the time we reach the food line, I can finally breathe again.
Nolan leans down, voice a low rumble by my ear. “Told you they’d love you.”
I laugh, and the last of my tension breaks. I grab a plate and let him guide me through the spread, brisket, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, cornbread, desserts I can’t even name. He piles my plate higher than I expect. “Uh, Nolan.”
“You’ll thank me later,” he says, feigning innocence.
We sit near the end of a long table. His hand rests lightly on my thigh beneath the table, steadying me whenever the noise swells or someone new stops by to introduce themselves.
Watching him, I start to see what they all see, not just an Alpha, but someone they love and trust. There’s loyalty here, but laughter too. Family. Surrounded by all of it, I start to believe I might belong.
The buzz of the room is a warm blanket, laughter, chatter, clinking plates. Nolan’s talking with Mason and Xander, his hand still on my thigh. It’s a steady point in the swirl.
I scan the crowd, learning the rhythm of the pack, how everyone seems connected by invisible threads.
Then a flash of auburn braid catches my eye.
“Paige?” I whisper, half in disbelief.
She’s near the serving tables, laughing as she helps refill a tray of rolls, completely at ease.
Nolan catches my shift immediately. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling. “I just see someone I know.”
He follows my gaze, smirks. “Go on.”
I weave through the tables until Paige spots me. Her face lights up and she drops the tongs and wipes her hands on a towel as she rushes over. “Jessica!” Paige squeals, practically launching herself at me. Her arms wrap around me tight, laughter spilling out. “Oh my god, I cannot believe this.You’rethe Alpha’s mate?”
I laugh, hugging her back. “Surprise?”
She pulls away just enough to look at me, eyes wide and sparkling. “You’re kidding me! I was in the kitchen when I heard Nolan introduce you earlier, and I thought, ‘There’s no waythat’s the same Jessica from the bookstore.’ But holy crap, itisyou!”
“Guilty,” I say, grinning. “Guess I forgot to mention that part.”
Paige laughs so hard she nearly drops the towel in her hand. “Forgot to mention that part? Jess, you’ve been working beside me for days, and you didn’t think to say, ‘Oh by the way, my boyfriend runs the pack’?”
“It didn’t exactly come up,” I say with a laugh.
“Unbelievable,” she says, still laughing as she shakes her head. “I thought you were just the quiet, mysterious numbers girl, turns out you’re the Alpha’s mate. I should’ve known you were hiding something big.”
Miller steps up behind her, balancing a plate and smiling when he sees us. “Evening, Jessica. Didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
I grin. “Guess that makes two of us. Didn’t think I’d be running into my boss at pack dinner.”
He chuckles. “Small town. It's hard to stay strangers for long.”
Before I can reply, Nolan slides an arm around my waist, warmth radiating through the contact. “Not that small,” he says with an easy smile. “Good to see you, Miller.”
“Likewise, Alpha,” Miller says, shaking his hand. “Didn’t realize Jessica wasyourJessica.”
