Page 21 of Alpha Bride
I nod, knowing there’s truth in what she says. “I can’t ask him, though. I know I won’t get the answer I want, and I can’t be rejected again,” I say, tears welling in the corners of my eyes. “It’s all I’ve known, and I won’t purposelessly invite more in.”
Sarah pulls me toward her, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Em,” she says as Ava nods encouragingly. “Let his wolf do the talking; he’s clearly the one with all the brains.”
At that, we all laugh, and it physically eases my soul. “Okay, enough about me, let’s focus on something far more important,” I say, turning to the stack of books Ava has arranged on the kitchen island. “Let’s see if there’s anything helpful in here at all.”
We spend the next few hours pouring over the texts and making notes. Most are simply dusty stories in books shoved to the back of the shelves in a library on the mainland, but at least two texts stand out, clearly written by witches rather than humans. Although they are recorded as fiction, there are too many similarities with Malik’s actions to be a coincidence.
I’d half hoped to find something in here about why Malik said I was rare when he attacked the village. I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else because it feels silly. I am the least rare or special witch—unless you count not having any useful magic as rare, which I suppose it is. But it’s certainly not anything Malik should have wanted. Unfortunately, the books don’t mention anything I can attribute to my coven or me.
I’m still writing up our notes when Callum arrives to pick up Ava and Sarah. We say goodbye on the porch.
“I can’t believe the next time I see you, you’ll have a brand new pup,” I say, holding Ava tightly.
She laughs. “I really hope that’s true, because I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to tell Callum to drive over all the bumps on the way home.”
Sarah looks horrified. “You can’t go into labor on the road with me; I’m too squeamish. And Callum would have a meltdown.”
Ava grumbles but agrees and heads down the steps toward her mate, who greets her with a kiss that has us all blushing. Tristen’s truck pulls in just after him, and he catches their passionate embrace, his eyes finding mine as everyone says goodbye. A wave of desire sweeps over me, and I can’t help but feel like I’m on display. As they drive away, Tristen climbs the steps toward me, his gaze never leaving mine.
“You look tired,” he says as we turn to walk back into the house. Every step reminds me that we’re alone now.
“We’ve been studying these texts,” I say, turning toward the kitchen island to show him. But when I look back, his gaze has darkened, and he backs me up against the cool, hard surface.
His lips crash down on mine, his mouth demanding and desperate despite the fact that he already had me this morning. I surrender to him immediately, my body melting into his as the kiss deepens. I feel his wolf’s hunger for me, but more than that, I feel his need. And it scares me in the best possible way.
He lifts me onto the countertop, our kiss never breaking as he presses against me, one hand trailing down my back. Even through my clothes, I can feel the heat between us burning hotter with each passing second. His lips trail across my jawline and down my neck, nipping at the soft skin there before moving lower still.
“You know you’re mine,” he growls into my ear.
Do I?
But for once, I don’t even want to argue. I just want him.
Chapter 11 - Tristen
Emily turns in my arms, and I subconsciously draw her even closer. I’ve been half awake since first light, unable to quell the racing thoughts in my mind‚did our defenses hold overnight? Are the new runes still as effective? Will my phone ring with another Malik attack? But Emily’s calming presence in my arms has offered me some peace, at least. If it weren’t for her perfectly soft frame pressed against my own, I’d have been up a couple of hours ago. I’d have gone running or hit the gym to try and rid my mind of Malik.
As it is, I run my hand down her bare side, marveling at the softness of her skin under my calloused fingers.She really is perfect,I think, aware that if I push aside the fact that she’s a witch, not a shifter, I cannot deny her perfection.
My wolf doesn’t even bother to deny it, which always strikes me as odd, as surely he should be more drawn to a fellow shifter. Ralph always said that a shifter would never want a witch unless she had bewitched him. The thought makes me uncomfortable, and as much as I try to shrug it off, I can’t deny that my desire for her borders on need. It certainly feels bewitching at times.
It feels so at odds to be content in the middle of this war with Malik and his rogues. Ralph may have been a mean old bastard, but he kept the island in check. A familiar feeling gnaws at my core as I wonder what he’d make of his sons’ efforts so far. He was always so critical of us, and yet he split the island into three, making us all alphas, which surprised me, as I was sure he’d insist we battle it out.
He always said he’d sooner see us dead than weak.
I’m sure he’d have rather seen me dead than lying in bed with a witch. But looking down at her pink lips, a tangle of soft auburn curls fanned around her, and full breasts pressed against me, I know I wouldn’t change it—bewitchment or not.
Her brow furrows in her sleep, and although I’m a needy bastard who’s itching to take her again and again, especially when she’s naked and warm like this against me, I know how hard she’s been working on those texts Ava brought over last week, studying until all hours. She probably needs this lie-in.
Suddenly, my phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I curse under my breath, knowing the moment of peace is over. Emily stirs in my arms, her eyes fluttering open as she looks up at me with her emerald eyes. "Wha—" she mumbles sleepily before seeming to realize exactly where she is and who is holding her. A blush of crimson creeps into her cheeks as she tries to sit up, tugging the sheets to her chest. "I’ve slept in," she mutters, looking away from me.
I squeeze her arm reassuringly. "It's fine, Emily. It's just...Aiden," I say, glancing at the caller ID. I reluctantly release her warmth and answer my phone, already dreading the reason Aiden would call this early.
"Yep," I gruffly answer, my voice still gravelly with sleep.
"Sorry to wake you, bro," Aiden says without preamble. My wolf stiffens in readiness for what he’s going to say. It never seems to be good news these days. "I thought you’d want to know…we captured a group of Malik's men last night between our borders."
Now, that is unexpected and promising. Malik’s men are rarely caught alive, and we’ve only been able to question a handful who didn’t know anything.
