“When can you break out of here?” Ali asks, standing.
“I can go now.”
“Hah! When did the healer say you can leave?” she asks clearly not believing me.
“Honestly. He said I was good to go before you came in.” I try to convince her.
“Prove it.” She says hiking her chin up like she somehow triumphantly beat me.
“Fine!” I toss the blankets aside and swing my legs over.
The moment my bare feet hit the cool linoleum floor and a shiver runs up my spine. Suddenly I want to crawl back into bed. I gently lift myself to standing, half expecting my leg to give out, but it doesn’t. I stand tall with victory written all over my face. That is until the doctor walks in and scowls at
*Ali POV* Wade intertwines his hands with mine as we walk out of Francis' room. The sparks twirl and dance across my skin reminding me that no matter how bad things have gotten, this moment made it worth it. I’ve never been a sappy lovey-dovey type of girl or the girl that craves constant touch. But with Wade I’m afraid of the moment he lets my hand go. I'm addicted to his looks and his touch. It’s quite possible it’s the bond that has changed me and my outlook, but I also have a feeling that it’s just what love does to someone. We also have never had the chance to really just be together. I slide him a quick glance and I can see a smile on his lips. “What are you smiling about?” I ask tugging on his hand. “This is the first time we’ve really actually held hands arou
“I would be honored to help you in any way you need help, Wade.” Alpha Nick says. “But perhaps we should see what it all entails and if you are the one they are picking before we get ahead of ourselves?” “Agreed. I just wanted you to be aware of the fact that I will be using you as a stipulation for me to accept any position.” I glance over my shoulder at the clock and balk at the time. The committee is going to be here in two hours. I haven’t had a chance to shower and Wade is still standing very proudly in his t-shirt and scrub pants. I clear my throat to get his attention and nod in the direction of the clock. “Alpha Nick, do you perhaps have a room where we can prepare for the committee meeting?” I ask. He smiles kindly at me and nods.
*Wade POV* I walk out of the bathroom and spot Ali looking the picture of perfection as she frowns in the mirror. She tugs at a pink oversized sweater uncomfortably and I gravitate in her direction stopping just behind her. Her presence is magnetic now that we have marked each other, not that I mind. I’ve always had these feelings for her even when the bond wasn't recognized. Her eyes snap up to mine and she smirks at me. “Pink is not my first color choice,” she explains. “You look beautiful,” I say honestly. Even with her bruises and healing cuts adorning her face she is perfectly mine, which makes her perfect. “You’re biased,” she says, whipping around to face me. “It’s true. I am predestined to love you for all
“Mate?” The man in Burgundy asks, his eyes going wide. “That is correct. When Samuel was torturing me he destroyed my oath so I was able to sense my mate.” Ali says her eyes not moving from the woman. “Torturing you? The report we received is that you had gone rogue” The man in the navy suit says, looking around for any indication that Ali is joking. “Hardly.” Ali snorts. “Ok!” I say breaking in. “How about introductions? I am Alpha Wade of the Moon Shadow pack. You already know my mate, Ali. And this is Alpha Nick, the alpha of this fine pack and my good friend and trusted associate” “It is nice to finally lay eyes on you, Alpha Wade. I am James, and this is Joseph. And that fine specimen at the end of the table is Rita
“Do you know what happened to Alpha Liam?” Joseph asks “I stabbed him somewhere in his face, but we didn’t find a body” I answer “Shit.” James rubs his temple. “Well, we will try to find him.” “What happens when you find him?” Ali asks. I slide her a glance but she avoids eye contact. I love and hate the mate bond. I love that I have finally found my mate, but unfortunately for me, Ali still has a connection to her first mate. Even though the bond was severed and never acknowledged, that tiny thin thread will always be present for them. I try to restrain my jealousy, be a united front in the committee’s presence. But her concern for his well-being after everything is a hard pill for me to swallow. “That is up to Alpha Wa
*Ali POV* Wade releases me from his death grip hug and turns walking down the hall, my hand firmly in his. He walks me straight to the kitchen, pulls out the stool at the breakfast counter, and pushes me onto it. “I am going to make you that steak now.” “But the rest of the committee is still waiting for you to come back.” I remind him. “Right. Well, I will go say my goodbyes and be right back.” He steps into me, leaning down, and captures my lips in a heated kiss. I move to meet his fervor as his mouth rivals mine. Desire spreads through me at the same speed as the sparks that flutter over my body with his touch. He runs his tongue along my bottom lip gently in a soft caress before pulling back and moving for the hallway, stalking toward Alpha Nick’s office. I sit stunned on my stool trying to bring my head back down from the heavens it seems to be floating in. Then clearing my throat I glance around the kitchen and see a grinning Robin. I jump slightly and cover my chest wit
After eating the best steak and potatoes I have ever had the privilege of putting in my mouth, Wade drags me out of the packhouse and down the front steps. His hands are entwined with mine firmly as he looks back and smiles like an eager child trying to show their mom a new trick. The moment we are near the woods he slows down and grins at me. “Dinner was amazing,” I say truthfully. “Yeah, it didn't turn out too bad.” “How are you feeling?” I ask as I point to his stomach. “Honestly, not too bad. It feels weird though, I’ve never healed this fast before so it kind of feels like my skin is constantly moving. Almost like it’s itchy.” “When do you need the dressing changed?” “Probably when we get back. I was hoping for a shower of some sort once it's at least not an open wound.” “I’ll help you with the dressing when we get back to our room.” “So,” he says, clearing his throat. “James needs me to head back with him in a week.” “Ok.” “And I was wondering if maybe you would want to
“Why are you here?” I whisper angrily, stalking over in his direction. I place my hand on his firm chest and push him back under the cover of the forest canopy. “I needed to see you.” He says, sounding broken. “Well, I don’t need to see you. You need to leave or I will have to kill you.” I seethe. “There is nothing you could do that would hurt me more than what I just witnessed,” he says looking me in the eyes. For the first time I look him over and I see just how rough he looks. He is covered in dirt and dried blood. The left side of his face has a gruesome cut that looks puffy and infected. “Liam, You need to leave,” I repeat softening my tone slightly. “You want me gone?” he asks. I can see the hope in his eyes.