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Alpha Colton Rhodes of the Mountain Moon Pack. Alpha Colton. His name sounds good rolling off my tongue. Confident, strong, sexy, just like the man in the picture staring back at me. Hmm, something had to be wrong with him, that’s all I could think of as I continually flick my eyes back to his picture as I’m sitting on my bed trying to read the profile summary and rules my auntie sent me. Key word, trying. I swear I’m trying to read these damn rules, but my eyes keep getting drawn to his picture. I shake my head at myself, this is a bad sign already. I haven’t even met the guy and he’s distracting as hell.

1. Always be prepared and look presentable.

We have provided the client with sizes so they can provide you with a wardrobe that will suit what they need you for. You should never be unprepared for what they need you for; meaning hair styled, nails polished, makeup done, clothes ironed, and a constant dazzling smile.

Well, thank Goddess for a personal stylist since my wardrobe consists of primarily jeans and graphic tees. Looking down at myself wondering what in the hell Alpha Colton was thinking when he picked me.

2. Keep your emotions in check.

These men have hired you to do a job for them, not deal with your emotional damage/problems. Be their escape from that.

Okay, so no unwanted emotions. I can do that, or at least I keep telling myself that.

3. Discuss the needs of you at public events.

Be aware of what your client is expecting of you. You are there to be pretty, charming, and act as a buffer when needed. Be respectful and mind your manners to your client and his circle.

4. Always be available.

Living with the client alleviates some of this stress, but make sure you can always be called upon if needed by the client. Early mornings, late nights, lunch meetings, staying in, events out, etc.

Be their bitch, got it. Jump, how high? Look left, down. Oh, you don’t like purple, great, I’ll just put the fucking black dress on again. I slap the folder on my forehead. Goddess help me.

5. Sex is optional and not required.

While sex with the client is fully of your choosing and not required at Mate Match, all escorts will be required to be on birth control. Please plan for long-term or monthly pick-ups in between clients.

Well, duh. Who wants to get pregnant from a guy they’re only with for the time of the contract?

         I look up at the clock and realize I need to get going. I throw on a tight pair of ripped jeans that I think make my ass look great, a solid olive-green vee-necked t-shirt, a cute little cropped jacket, and a comfy pair of Nikes. I hear my phone ding and hop over to grab it once I’m finished tying my shoes.

To: Layne

From: Colton Rhodes

Looking forward to seeing you. White Creek Park. Look for the west running trail that ends at the pond. Can’t wait to meet you.

Goddess, he’s running at eight in the morning? This will be a long month. Your girl ain’t a runner, and she ain’t no early bird either. I type White Creek Park into G****e Maps and it’s about a half-hour drive. I grabbed my bag, walked out of my room and to the kitchen, I grab a notebook a jot down a cute quick little note for my dad, Goddess forbid, he gets home when I’m out with my mate of the month. Highly doubt it, there hasn’t been any forward or backward progress with him yet. Looked around and took the last long deep breath of familiarity for the next twenty-one days. Locking the door behind me and hopping in my jeep, I head off to White Creek Park. Here I go.

-----

         It’s chilly this morning, even for us wolves that run hot, as I pull into the parking lot where the west running trail starts. There’s one other car here, but I don’t see anyone yet. This path seems to be the trail less taken. How fitting. Hopping out of my car, trading my crop jacket for a black fitted hoodie, I slide it over my head and start trekking towards the trail. Feeling the breeze and being in the forest, I love it, it brings a calm and peaceful wave of energy through me. I don’t get to be out in nature that often. Bearing the weight of responsibility of taking care of dad and me. This little break from reality is surprisingly kind of nice.

         As I’m deep in thought, enjoying my walk on the trail, thinking I should let my wolf out soon, I start to work up a sweat, so I take off my hoodie to tie it around my waist. I see a figure running laps around the pond. He’s fast, and fluid. Like he was born to run. Well, he’s a wolf, I guess he is born to run, I chuckle to myself. But I’m more talking about him running as a man. He’s so graceful and strong. As I get closer, he hears the rustling of sticks and leaves crunching beneath my feet, he looks up and works to make our trails cross. He quickens his pace and whips his thin white shirt off. He’s jogging and my brain is processing him in slow motion. Like a scene from Baywatch. My mouth dries up instantly as he reveals a massive amount of sweaty, tan muscles that I am picturing myself licking. Holy fucking eye candy. Can I lick him? Thank goddess, he's not close enough to me yet to see me totally eye fucking him.

         As he gets closer to me, his six-pack, washboard abs leading down to that toned V become more visible. Chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, strong thick biceps. Warmth filled my body as we met at the sandy entrance of the pond. I can hear my heart beating double time in my ears, I can feel my blood racing through my body. What is this guy doing to me?

         I sucked in the deepest breath when our eyes met. I could almost feel my wolf surge forward. His stare is intense… sexy. I can see the sweat beading on his forehead and glistening on the rest of his god-like body.

         As he eyes me, I can see his eyes blaze gold for a moment, obviously his wolf, pushing forward for a brief second. He smiles at me revealing a sexy smirk that I am going to struggle to say no to.  “You are not what I expected.” He signals for us to start walking back to our cars.

I start to freak out for a minute. Licking my very, very dry lips and biting my lower lip to hide my nervousness, I reply, “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

He starts to wipe his body down with the white muscle shirt he had on. I can see his muscles ripple with each movement he makes, and I can’t tear my gaze away.

“Oh, a very good thing. You’re Layne?” he answers and asks at the same time. His eyes twinkle with mischievousness.

“That’s me. You’re Alpha Colton?” I asked with a tilt of my head.

“Yes, but you don’t have to call me Alpha, and my friends call me Colt.”

I smirk and giggle while looking up at him, “Are we friends?”

“Oh, I certainly hope so, Layne.” He winked and walked to the back of his truck, pulling down the hatch. He reaches in to grab a new shirt and turns back to me. “Are you ready to go?”

“I’m yours for the month, you say when and where.” Not realizing how dirty that sounded, internally smacking my forehead.

Colt’s eyes flashed gold again hearing my double entendre of a statement, “You can follow me back to the packhouse. Unless you want me to give you a ride.” His lips turned into a smirk as he returned the innocently dirty remark.

“I’ll follow you,” I reply and shut the door. I bring my head down onto my steering wheel. It’s going to be a long month.

-----

As we’re reaching the pack lands, I think the sexual tension had subsided for the time being. Although, I don’t think it would take much to get it going again. The gates of his territory opened, and I followed him up a small winding driveway until he stopped in front of a gorgeous home in the mountains. Not like a log cabin, but a beautifully made giant stone and wood house. Surrounded by lush forests giving it a secret hideaway feel.

I grabbed my bag and followed him up the stone steps. He opens the door revealing a giant spacious room with wooden exposed beams meeting in the middle. The floors throughout were dark espresso wood. The exterior walls were all floor-to-ceiling windows making the room look and feel bright. Long navy-blue couches that were good enough to sleep on filled the space on top of the plush patterned area rugs. Plants in the corners, pictures on the walls. I’ve never seen anything like this before.

“This is absolutely incredible,” I said as I walked to the balcony. The mountain view was never-ending.

Colt smiled and grabbed my hand. His was warm and soft, comfortable. “Come here, let me show you the best view. The reason why I picked this spot to build the pack house.” I let him lead me around the wrap-around porch to the opposite side of the house’s balcony.

When we made it and I leaned on the ledge, the sight took my breath away. “Wow!” I whispered. His hand tightened around mine, sending tingles and a bolt of electricity through my body. I could see the beautiful view of White Creek Park in all its entirety. Colt leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, and he pointed over to the body of water.

“That’s the pond where we met,” he said close enough for me to feel his breath tickle my ear. I could see the outline of the track he was running around the pond this morning.

“It’s….” I couldn’t finish my sentence. Like there wasn’t a word that could adequately describe our view.

“I know,” he said. Not in an arrogant, cocky kind of way. In a way where we both agreed that some things are just too beautiful to be put into words. He laced our fingers again and pulled me into the house. “Let me show you your room.”

I followed him through the several thousand square foot pack house. I found it weird that he was holding my hand, but I didn’t dare say anything because I liked the feeling. Made me feel safe. Dare I say protected?

He led me to a set of double doors after we had passed by tens of rooms. “This will be your home for the next twenty-one days,” he says as he opens the doors.

The room was decorated in whites and grays. Gorgeous, lush, expensive. He moved over and opened another set of doors which revealed enough clothes that could last me an entire year.

“It’s beautiful, thank you. So are all the clothes. So why don’t you tell me a bit about you and why I’m here with you for the month.” I asked as I sat on the bed. This gave me the opportunity to be opposite him and take all of him in. Colt was a tall, large man. Over six feet, lean, and muscular. Fuck. ing. Gor. Geous. 

He sat down beside me and said, “I have these events I need to attend over the next few weeks. Having you on my arm as a potential chosen mate would help ward off the women that want me just to be Luna.”

“So you need a buffer to ward off wanna-be Lunas?” I chuckled as I started to untie my Nikes, wanting to stretch out on this lavishly fluffy bed. Colt nodded and then laughed as he watched me lay back on the bed. I looked down and realized I had mismatched socks on.

“Those are cute.” Colt laughs.

“Ugh, cute is the kiss of death. That’s like saying I’m your best friend’s sister. Friend zoned,” flailing back onto the pillow. I can feel my cheeks turn pink. Embarrassed that on day one I already don’t look the perfect part.

Colt leaned closer to me, “Relax, Layne, the mismatched socks are cute, not you. You are one of the most breathtakingly stunning women I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to get you under me.”

His eyes smoldered as our gazes met, both of us taking each other in. “Excuse me? That’s not in the contract, but I’m glad you think I’m pretty enough to be on your side.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of what’s in the contract, Layne,” Colt says as he lays next to me on the bed. Our bodies meeting and touching at every point. I can feel his very large erection pressing against my belly. He leaned in closer, so close I could feel his breath on my lips. “If I get you naked, it won’t be because I’m paying for it. You’ll take your clothes off for me and I won’t even have to ask.” He kisses me right at the base of my neck, pleasure, and goosebumps rocketing through my entire body. I lean into his body waiting for his next touch feeling my cheeks redden and a wave of heat settling between my thighs.

He presses a chaste gentle kiss on my cheek and then pulls back. “I’ll need you ready to go at six. We have a business event to attend. You can wear a cocktail dress. Feel free to look around, I have some work to do in my office.” He trails his hand up my arm leaving tingles wherever they go, tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and gets up and walks out the door.

I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I bring my fingers and run them over where he kissed my neck, I can still feel him there.

“Fuck me. He’s trouble.”