Page 41 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
Astra snickers. “I don’t think anyone has ever called Alpha Gareth foolish. He’s very uptight.”
She stumbles, and I grab her before she falls. Her hand grips my sleeve as she steadies herself.
“Sorry!”
Her touch sends electricity shooting up my arm, and I have to resist the urge to cover her hand with mine.
“Sorry, my leg’s not all that stable just yet.”
She pushes her weight back onto her stick and starts walking again, apparently oblivious to the effect her casual touch had on me.
“Now, come on. We’ve got a long way to go, and I want to reach the human settlements while we’re both still in one piece.”
As I follow her down the forest path, watching her limping but determined stride, listening to her hum cheerfully to her cat, I’m struck by a realization that should terrify me.
This woman—this brave, brilliant, damaged woman who has been thrown away by everyone who should have protected her—is the most fascinating person I’ve ever met.
And in a few days, I’m going to have to watch her disappear into a human life where I can never follow.
The thought bothers me far more than it should.
Chapter Eight
Astra
I keep finding my eyes drifting toward my protector as we walk through the forest, which is...distracting.
There’s so much about Lucian that draws my attention—the way he moves with fluid confidence, how his dark hair catches the light filtering through the trees, those sharp, blue eyes that seem to notice everything. I wonder if all mercenaries look like this or if I just got lucky with my bodyguard assignment.
I’ve always heard that mercenaries are dangerous, terrifying shifters, most of whom have left their packs and are rogues. I never thought I’d actually cross paths with one. I guess the Goddess decided to switch up my luck for once. Can’t say I’m upset.
My lips curve as I hum to myself.
I’ve seen plenty of good-looking shifters in the pack, but none of them holds a candle to Lucian. He is ruggedly handsome and yet…dangerous. I’ve seen him handle himself when faced with three very strong warriors. He didn’t even have to shift to take them down.
“You’re staring at me again.” He sounds gruff but not angry.
I bite the inside of my cheek, mortified. “Sorry. I was just looking at your…shoes.”
“My shoes are on my feet,” he says dryly. “Not my face.”
I run my tongue over my teeth, my face feeling hot. “Gotcha.”
It’s his turn to shoot me a look. “Your injury isn’t better?”
I flex my leg. “It’ll get there.”
“Why didn’t your pack healer heal it?”
I wonder if he knows that he has asked the same question three times now. Either my answer doesn’t satisfy him, or he doesn’t believe me.
When his eyes narrow, I realize I must have spoken those thoughts out loud. I give him a quick, unrepentant grin. “Sorry. But you are a little annoying.”
His eyes widen as if my words have shocked him. “Excuse me?”
I wonder what it is about him that makes me keep putting my foot in my mouth. Telling the man who’s protecting me that he’s annoying is a surefire way to a quick death.
“Did I say annoying?” I blink. “I meant ‘inquisitive.’”
