Chapter 18
Chapter 18
My heart is pounding in my chest as I back into the space available. Three cars ahead is the pretty Chopper he had been riding last night. I look at myself in the rearview mirror to ensure nothing is out of place. I’m not one to have this level of anxiety, but it makes sense because it’s him. A mate 1 never thought I’d have.
Verona talked me into getting excited about this, and I can’t help but feel the opposite. I’m a nervous mess. Killing alphas is a lot easier than this. What am I even going to say to him? I’ve never had to think about it, and now that he’s here, winging it seems mad disrespectful. I climb out of my car and straighten myself up one more time before heading inside.
“Violetta,” Mrs. Homestead beams when she sees me, I smile as she comes around the counter to
hug me. “No, Mr. Thorne today?”
“No,” I shake my head. She takes a step back and gives my shoulders what I’m interpreting as a sympathetic squeeze. My eyes scan the room, and I see him sitting in one of the private booths near the back. “The usual?”
“I’ll be right out,” she smiles and spins away to get behind the counter. I slowly make my way over to him, hoping he missed my awkward interaction with the owner of this very artsy cafe. “Alpha
Barnes,”
“Princess,” he greets me tightly. Okay, so he didn’t miss that. I know I’m embarrassed by this because it’s him, but I can’t stop feeling like a stupid schoolgirl. “Have a seat,”
I feel eyes on us the moment I slide my purse off my shoulder and scoot into the booth across from him. He sits back and takes me in. I feel the heat of his gaze all over. Mrs. Homestead comes over to us with my cappuccino. She opens her mouth to say something, but decides against it when Alpha Barnes looks up at her challengingly.
“All right then,” she clears her throat. Let me know if you two need anything,” she mouths as she walks away. “Blink twice if you need me to call your daddy.”
I press my lips together and shake my head, trying not to laugh. He glances back at her, and she all but jumps out of her skin. She turns around, running into the counter in her attempt to make her
escape.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl. She was friends with my mom,” I inform him, so he doesn’t think too much of it.
“You look very beautiful today, Violetta. Are you headed to work after this?”
There’s a tone there. The way he looks away as if waiting for me to disappoint him makes me smile, and the little giddy feeling in my chest worsens. My wolf, the sleep girl, is very aware of our surroundings at the moment, and it’s adding to my excitement.
“No, I’m moving today. I’m dressed casually,” I shift, not knowing how to take the compliment or the intensity of his gaze.
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Chapter 18
“You’re moving?” his eyes flash red. “Where?”
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“The Clock Tower,” I lean forward and point out the window. He looks me over and then follows to see my Clock Tower. “Pretty, huh?”
“Very,” he says, turning back to me. “Do you not like your apartment?”
“I do, but the Clock Tower has been my dream home since I was eight. The restorations were just completed, and well, I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“Nor should you,” he agrees. “Violetta,” the way he says my name wakes me up better than taking a bump before going into the office. It sounds like an idle threat. Maybe a challenge. “I would like to apologize for how I reacted at Wise Men.”
“I think we both reacted a little out of character,” I agree. “I’m sorry for what I said. I mean, we’re not exactly kids, Alpha Barnes. I just turned twenty-nine. I’ve never even thought about the fated laws. Things are complicated, right now, and-” I stop when he reaches out to take my hand-the spark of our bond bolts through my body.
“In my pack, a wolf doesn’t mate unless it’s to its fated. The fact that you’ve been under my nose our entire lives feels like a cruel joke. I know all about you, Violetta Wilde. Second in command of Blood Ridge. Acting Luna. V.P. of Thorne Labs. Hopelessly in love with a stupid fucking human. I know all about Mr. Thorne and his family, too.
“I’m not asking you to take me here and now, Princess. I’d be everything I’ve been fighting against my entire life if I forced you into something you didn’t want. But I’m telling you now that if you think I’m going to back away without a fight, you’ve got another thing coming. You’re my mate and I’ll be damned if I let you reject me,”
His
eyes flash red and stay that way as he stares back at me. His hand is trembling in mine, and I feel sick to my stomach for doing this to him. How the fuck does everyone know that about Mr. Thorne except for Mr. Thorne himself?
“I would never do that,” I say, turning my hand to hold his. His eyes flicker between red and the pretty green and hazel shades. He immediately tightens his hold on my hand. “It’s never even crossed my
mind.
“I’m so sorry I made you feel that way, Alpha Barnes. I was going to say that I can’t just jump into this. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us. The last thing I want is for you to mark me and feel the confusion I do right now.
“It has nothing to do with Mr. Thorne personally. I’m trying to make amends with my family. With my pack. I’ve fucked up royally and I have to fix my life before dragging you into it. There is so much going on.
“I’ve always known that I couldn’t have him, and I never took him because he wasn’t mine to take. I wouldn’t say hopelessly in love. Just overly inspired by a human surviving in a world that no longer belongs to his kind.
“For the time being, Mr. Thorne is my boss. Until I terminate my position at Thorne Labs, I’d like
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to respectfully ask you not to get me into more trouble than I’m already in.”
