Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Aren’t you at least a little bit curious?” she asked.
“Of course, I am. I’m curious about what it takes to be an alpha, and if he expected this, then we’re doing the right thing. My dad would never do anything to put us in harm’s way. You know that.”
She couldn’t disagree with him.
Marcel was a good alpha. Strong, resilient, and he often knew what you wanted before anyone else did. He was that good. But if he expected them to run away, why did he figure this as a punishment? Surely, he’d want them to suffer.
They made their way out of the forest, and sure enough, there was a small café at the side of the road. Alexa’s mouth watered at the scents. Much to her surprise, croissants, coffee, and all kinds of breakfasts were offered. Several truckers who’d made a stop were enjoying their food.
Her stomach was driving her crazy, the hunger going to a whole new level.
Seated in one of the old, worn booths, she picked up the menu and was just tempted by everything on offer.
A young woman came out of the kitchen and took their orders.
There wasn’t much noise in the café, which she was thankful for. With the full moon happening tonight, she didn’t want to risk anything setting off her wolf. “This is a nice place,” Alexa said.
Landon agreed, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Do you come here with your dad often?” she asked.
“Every time we leave town. He likes to eat here. He doesn’t like to leave without a full stomach. It can be a long journey between packs.”
“Are you looking forward to becoming alpha?”
He shrugged, reaching around to grip the back of his neck. “Yeah and no.”
“How come?”
“Is this twenty questions?”
“You don’t have to answer.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I want to be an alpha, to follow in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, but I know I’m going to be compared to them. I’m worried, and it’s probably a stupid thing to be worried about, that I will be compared to them.”
“I get that.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t imagine that kind of pressure. I mean, take Gertie, for example. Theoretically, I could be compared to her. She’s one hell of an alpha’s mate. The pack admires her, loves her, and would do anything for her. She’s amazing.”
“You underestimate yourself, Alexa. The pack would love you.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I doubt it.” She couldn’t help but think about Cheryl.
“Well, it’s something we don’t have to worry about for some time.” Landon reached across the table to grab her hand. “Is that why you didn’t want to be my mate?”
“Huh?”
“The pressure of being an alpha’s mate.”
“No, it wasn’t that. To be honest, I never thought about what it would mean to be your mate until this past month. Being by your side, and you know, learning everything you do. Seeing it first-hand. It’s opened my eyes. Your mom is incredible. She’s patient. She’s calm. She commands respect. I couldn’t even get a food order correct.”
Landon held his hand up. “Nah, you cannot compare the two. You and I both know you got all of those orders right. It was the pack messing with us, testing us.”
“You know, I love the pack, but since they turned on us, I’m not liking them very much.”
“A bunch of assholes.”
“Totally.”
The young woman brought out their food. They thanked her and dived in. After just a few minutes, Alexa became aware of the fact she and Landon were holding hands as if they still had the cuffs on.
She stared at their fingers, touching. Alexa loved it when he touched her. She felt at peace, calm, collected, sure that she could do anything and everything.
“Er, Landon?”
“Yeah.” He looked up at her and then down at their hands. “Oh.”
At first, they didn’t move. Seconds passed, and then, at the same time, they moved their hands away and picked up their knives so that they could enjoy their food.
Alexa felt a pang fill her body. One that she couldn’t make go away.
“Alexa?” Landon asked.
“Yeah.”
She looked up when he didn’t say anything else straight away.
He stared at her.
Waiting, she nibbled on her lip.
“Do you, I mean…” His hand clenched into a fist, then opened up, “Do you miss me holding your hand?”
She could lie. Tell him he was being stupid, but that would only serve for her to be a liar.
“Yes.” She stabbed a piece of bacon on her plate and shoved it in her mouth, hoping the moment of discomfort would disappear.
The sounds of the café flooded through, but they were not a welcoming distraction. If anything, the noises only served to make her acutely aware of Landon, of this thing between them.
Every other full moon, they were close but at a distance. What was going to happen tonight with no pack? Would the pack be hunting for them?