Page 13 of The Alpha's Temptation
He winces.“That was a mistake.I shouldn’t have let you leave alone.I was distracted by Penny and everything.”
“I know.It’s okay.”
“It won’t happen again,” he promises.
My pace slows as the bookstore comes into view.“I’ll talk to you later.”
“See you, Selena.”He gives me a last longing look before turning and heading down the street.
I let out a deep breath as I watch him go.I need to focus on work and put this mess with Foster and Penny out of my head.
At least for a few hours.
SIX
Foster
Rhodes doesn’t even tryto hide the sympathy in his eyes when I walk into the council room the next day.Camden and Cyrus are already there, papers spread, radios clipped to belts, the usual small-town authority in a wolf’s clothing tableau.Today, it feels like an intervention.
“How’d it go?”Camden asks carefully, like the question might spook me.
I drop into my chair and scrub a hand over my face.“She locked herself in the bathroom.Told me to go.”
Rhodes exhales roughly.
Cyrus winces.“Penny or Selena?”
“Penny,” I confirm.“She’s…hurt.I spent all day trying to talk to her yesterday, but no luck.”
“She’ll be hurt until she decides not to be,” Camden says wisely.“What about Selena?”
My wolf’s ears prick at her name, alert.Mine.
“She understands,” I say.“Too much, probably.We agreed to stay away from each other until I fix things with Penny.”
“And how’s that going?”Cyrus asks.
A sound rips out of me that’s more animal than man.Not a word.A growl vibrating through my chest.
Camden’s mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile at the thought of me being trapped by my noble intentions.
Rhodes leans forward.“Your wolf?”
“Livid.Insistent.”I don’t say starving because that makes me sound like a teenager.I’m not a teenager.I’m an Alpha who’s drawn to his mate like a magnet, especially with the full moon close enough to taste in the air.“He wants the bond now.”
Cyrus whistles softly.“Full moon’s tomorrow.”
My wolf snarls, pacing faster.Tomorrow.She has to be ours tomorrow,he growls at me.
“I have a plan.I’m going to keep busy.Worst-case scenario, I’ll leave town for the day.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”Cyrus asks.
“I don’t know,” I admit.
Camden’s gaze softens.“Penny will come around.She knows the difference between being used and being chosen by fate.In the meantime, stay away from your mate.”
“Fine.”I push to my feet.“I’m going to do a border check.I’ll see you guys later.”
