Page 5 of Elusive Alpha
I’d had such a good time helping out in the kitchen, I’d almost forgotten why I came here to start with, but when the clean scent of aspen and woodsmoke tickled my nose, my panther dug in his claws and reminded me.
I turned to see the omega standing in the doorway, and he was everything I’d never known I wanted. Most omegas were smaller in stature, but this bear shifter’s large, muscular frame was impressive. I wanted to see his beast; he was sure to be magnificent.
“Oh, good. You’ve met.” Franklin came in with the platter, and the omega hurried to take it from him and place it on the table.
“We haven’t, actually,” he said. “Not yet.”
“And that’s my bad.” I set down the handful of silverware I held and advanced toward him, hand extended. “I’m Rook, and I’m glad to meet you.”
“Idris.” He let me close my hand around his. “And same.”
We sat at the table, three of us, and dug into the delicious meal Franklin prepared—although he insisted on giving me salad credit. Conversation was easy and friendly, but a current of tension ran between the omega and me.
The roast was perfectly medium rare, the potatoes, rutabagas, beets, and parsnips crispy on the outside and tenderin the middle. Homemade rolls were still hot enough to melt the butter we spread on them.
I wanted to know everything about Idris. Where he grew up, what he liked, what he didn’t. What was important to him. I asked a lot of questions, probably more than was polite, but he fascinated me. Not only good-looking but well-spoken and intelligent too. Fate truly had smiled on me if Idris was willing to accept me as his mate.
Chapter Six
Idris
Rook was the alpha of my dreams. I’d known him less than two hours and little of my attraction to him had to do with his physical attributes.
Not that they were bad by any stretch of the imagination. Rook was gorgeous. A sharp jawline. Kissable, full lips. A tan that told me he liked outdoor activities.
I picked at my jeans. I’d severely underdressed and was feeling uncomfortable about it. Rook wore a maroon button-down shirt underneath a sweater that looked to be knitted just for his frame. A few silver hairs in his hair suggested he was older, but in these times of high stress, there was no telling.
I had so many questions.
He was funny, making both Franklin and I laugh out loud several times. He asked questions and actually listened to the answers.
Not to mention, my animal was smitten. He’d melted into some kind of teddy bear inside me.
“Franklin, is it okay if I look at your library this weekend?” I asked, not wanting to presume all of the alpha’s time would be occupied by me. I hoped it would.
“Of course. But in this house, we read and we don’t judge.”
I put up my hands. “Hey, I work at a used bookstore. I learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover or a genre by the reader. I used to have two jobs but I was let go.”
“Jobs?” Rook asked.
“Yes. I have one job that paid the bills and one that was the start of building a career. At least, that was what I’d hoped.”
He nodded, but the furrow above his brow told me he was concerned. “You’re a hard worker. I admire that in a person.”
“I try.”
Conversation dwindled while we ate a delicious pumpkin bundt cake for dessert. Franklin stood and we did as well. “Let us help,” I offered, picking up my own dishes first. It was clear that Franklin was young at heart, but we had all eaten and he had cooked. We should all be responsible for cleaning up as well. Bed-and-breakfast or not.
“Not a chance. I have a way that I like to do the dishes and my method only includes two hands. Besides, this is a vacation for you both. I would suggest a walk in the forest tonight. The moon is full and when the wind blows from the east, you can smell the cinnamon apples from the orchard across the way.”
I didn’t doubt it. It was prime apple season. We picked up some things despite Franklin’s protests then I went to the back door and looked out.
“Would you like to take a walk with me, Idris?” He went on before I could answer. “It’s a beautiful night.” His warm breath tickled my ear and neck. I shuddered, making him chuckle. “I promise, I won’t bite.”
I wished he would.
My bear wished for it even more. From his scent, I knew he was some type of feline, though I couldn’t put my finger on which kind. I hadn’t been around a lot of feline shifters. They tended to keep to themselves, in my experience. I hoped that wasn’t true with Rook.
