The Alpha’s Tempting Mate

Let the record reflect: Breaking up with a wolf causes severe headaches. I wake up on the floor of the bathroom and find out I missed my flight. I have no idea how long I lay there or if anyone tried to help me.

Women are walking a large circle to avoid going near me, as if whatever knocked me out might be contagious. Heaven forbid someone call 9-1-1. Of course, that number might not work in Mexico.

I drag myself to a ticket counter, rebook for the next flight to the United States, and plunk down to wait. The light from the windows slashes through my head like a physical object. Nausea makes me slightly dizzy.

I can do this. I just need to get home, get into my bed.

Of course that thought reminds me of the last headache I had, when Garrett carried me to my bed and put a cool washcloth on my head. How could I ever have thought of him as a ruffian? He may have a rough exterior, but he’s a gentle giant. He never meant to hurt me.

But he has.

Not the bite-I know that will heal. I also know I asked for it.

It’s my heart that may never mend.

I went my whole life without ever feeling safe. Or whole. Or loved. I never belonged, never fit in. With Garrett, all that receded. He embraced all of me-not just Lawyer Amber. He cared about me, about my safety.

But agreeing to mate him after a single weekend together was stupid. It was the equivalent of the drunk Las Vegas wedding at midnight. With or without the Elvis-impersonating preacher. The event you wake up from and realize was a huge mistake.

So I’d go home. Be Lawyer Amber again. Keep helping kids. And, sooner or later, the memories from this weekend would fade.

Right?

I rub my pounding temples and shrink lower in the uncomfortable plastic chair.

A commotion near the security gate forces me to crack one eye to peek, and I go still.

Garrett’s marching toward me, flanked by a dozen huge, bad-ass looking men, including Trey, Jared, and his father. Oh, and one female, who must be his sister.

Dark determination scores his face as he eats up the space between us, eyes glued to mine. I brace myself for my headache to increase, for the possibility of passing out again, but it doesn’t. Instead, my world goes quiet. All the noise in my head drops back.

I resist the temptation to lean into this. Into Garrett. I left for him. He’s better off without me. So I can’t let the way my heart flip-flops in my chest, the way my body vibrates with excitement to see him, sway my decision.

We’re over.

Garrett comes up so fast and furious, I’m afraid he’ll tip out the entire row of chairs I’m sitting in, but he pulls up short when he reaches me. Pulls up short and crouches in front of me.

“Garrett, don’t.”

“Baby.”

Oh God. I didn’t count on him speaking so softly, so tenderly. I expected him to throw his weight around with his usual dominant-wolf bullshit. I was prepared to defend my case. But this sweetness knocks me between the eyes, sends a rush of longing and pain to my chest and face that builds, like a pressure cooker.

Garrett clears his throat, as if he’s unsure what to say. I’m not used to seeing the cocky wolf so off his game. “I made a lot of mistakes. If I had it to do over, I’d make sure our first and second dates were the best of your life.”

Tears swim in my eyes. I blink furiously, not wanting to shed them.

Garrett’s entourage has gathered behind him, not offering us any privacy, as if they, too, are a part of this discussion.

“I’d make sure you never doubted the way I feel about you. And I’d make sure you knew it wasn’t the full moon or my wolf that picked you for my mate. I pick you, Amber Drake. Human. Gifted psychic. Big-hearted lawyer. I need you, baby. And I don’t care what any of them think.” He finally acknowledges our audience with a jerk of his head. “I don’t care if I lose my position as alpha. Or if my family disowns me. All I care about is you. Being with you. Being for you.

“Because nothing in my life meant anything until I met you. Now I know my purpose.”

So much for not crying. Tears stream down my face as I try not to launch myself into Garrett’s arms. “What’s that?” I whisper.

“Making myself worthy of you.”

“Stop it,” I choke.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I’ll shine my shoes and sell the motorcycle, if you want. I’ll turn the nightclub over to the guys. I’ll help your foster kids. Whatever you need from me, I’m going to be that for you, Amber. Because you’re mine. I told you once I marked you, I’d never let you go. And I meant it. But I’m going to work hard for your happiness. I’m going to make you proud to call me your mate.

So much for not launching.

I fly at Garrett, and he catches me. My arms wrap so tight around his neck, I’m strangling him.

“Baby,” he croaks. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

The pack gathers around us, into a tight circle. Jared puts a hand on my back, Trey touches Garrett.

Garrett’s father clears his throat. “Sounds like Amber’s given you the inspiration I never could.”

Garrett refuses to release me, whispering unintelligible words into my hair.

“Welcome to the family, Amber,” Mr. Green rumbles. “I appreciate what you did to save both my children this weekend.”

“Welcome to the pack,” Trey and Jarod and many other voices murmur.

Garrett finally releases me, and his sister picks up both my hands and squeezes them. “Thank you for helping them find me,” she says. “And welcome to the family.”

I remove my hands from her to embrace the beautiful brunette. I sense her own heartbreak as a resonance of what I’d just let go and I want to fix it for her.

“If you’ll excuse us.” Garrett takes my hand and shoves through the circle. “I need to get my mate back to the hotel.” He looks down at me, his eyes soft with affection. “We’ll fly home tomorrow. Together. Okay?”

I nod, mutely. I’ll have to call work and let them know I’m not coming, but it’s fine. I don’t have any court appointments.

Garrett sweeps me up in his arms and strides out of the airport, despite my protests.

“Don’t worry, Amber. We’ll get your luggage,” Trey calls after us.

I tuck my face against Garrett’s neck. “How did you get past security without a plane ticket?” I ask.

“I don’t know. Trey handled it.”

Right. He has a pack. My pack, now, too.