Page 7 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“Marriage,” he says slowly.
“It’s stupid, I know. An archaic rule that—”
“Astra.”
Something in his voice makes me stop talking. He slides off the hood of the car and stands in front of me, his hands coming to rest on either side of my thighs.
“Would you marry me?”
The world tilts sideways. “What?”
“Would you marry me?” he repeats, his voice steady and sure. “Because I’ve been wanting to ask you for months. I just didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“Andrew, you don’t understand—”
“I understand perfectly.” His hands cup my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I understand that you’re the kindest, most courageous person I’ve ever met. I understand that every time I see you, you make my whole world brighter.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “You’re just saying that because—”
“Because what? Because you think I pity you?” His voice is gentle but firm. “Astra, I’ve been in love with you since the day you saved my life. We’ve known each other for five years now, and I’ve been completely in love with you for all of them.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I whisper, but my voice wavers.
“I know exactly what I’m saying.” He leans closer, and his forehead touches mine. “I’m saying I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m saying I want to wake up next to you every morning and work beside you every day. I’m saying I want us to build something beautiful together.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “But I—I won’t be able to give you children, Andrew. I won’t be allowed to have children if I leave the pack for a human.”
“I don’t need children,” he says fiercely. “I just want you. Wolf or no wolf, you’re perfect to me. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever met. And the kindest.”
I stare at him, searching his face for any sign of deception, any hint that this is some elaborate joke. But all I see is sincerity—and what he says is love.
“I don’t know what love is supposed to feel like,” I admit quietly.
“That’s okay,” he says, his fingers wiping away tears I didn’t realize had fallen down my cheek. “We can figure it out together.”
Before I can respond, he kisses me. It’s soft and sweet and full of promise, and something inside my chest unfurls like aflower blooming in sunlight. When he pulls back, his smile is radiant.
“I have to go to Millbrook next week for some business. That gives you time to think about it. But Astra, I’ll wait for your answer. However long it takes.”
He gives me one more quick kiss before helping me down from the car. “I meant what I said. About everything.”
As he drives away, I stand there in the fading light, my fingers pressed to my lips. The knapsack, which is now empty, still feels impossibly heavy on my shoulders as I make my way back toward the settlement, my mind spinning.
Marriage. Love. A life outside the pack.
I’ve never been loved before, not really. My mother died when I was too young to remember her affection clearly, and the pack has made it clear I’m unwanted. But Andrew looks at me like I’m something precious, something worth protecting.
Is this what love feels like? This warmth in my chest, this feeling like I could float away? Or is it just the relief of finally being wanted by someone?
By the time I reach my cottage, Luna is waiting by the door, and I’m no closer to having answers. But for the first time in years, I have a choice to make.
I count the coins Andrew gave me, laying them out on my kitchen table in neat, little piles. He always pays me generously for the herbs—more than fair market value. The silver gleams in the lamplight, and for a moment, I allow myself to feel wealthy.
But as I separate the money into different purposes—healing supplies, food, winter preparations—the piles shrink rapidly. By the time I’m done, there’s barely enough left for a week’s worth of basic provisions.
“Alright, Luna,” I say, scooping up the food money. “I’m going shopping before the market closes. Guard the house.” Luna rolls over on her back, paws in the air, and my lips crackinto a grin. “You’re going to scare off all the intruders with that pose. Good girl.”
She purrs.
