Page 12 of The Alpha's Runaway Bride

“Hard to imagine,” Noah said.

“Betsy hired someone to do all the cleaning, though. Although Mom taught me how to clean, neither of us enjoyed it. Plus, the maid has two kids to support. I don’t mind cooking though, and I actually enjoy baking.”

“I don’t know any women like you,” Noah said.

“Maybe you don’t know the right sort of women,” she quipped. “So, what did you think of today?”

“It was enlightening. I guess I vaguely knew that there were people in need, but they never had names and faces. I wonder if it is the same in the shifter world. We try to take care of the people in our pack, and I know other packs and clans tend to do the same. But there are a lot of people who don’t belong to a pack or clan.”

“My guess is that it is the same,” Angie said. “Most people simply choose not to see those in need.”

She challenged him to a game of chess while they waited. He beat her, but it was a challenge.

“I’ll demand a rematch soon,” she said giggling, as she put the board away just as the oven buzzed.

She handed him a couple of plates and forks and then put a trivet on the table. He tried not to look surprised as she had him set the table and pour two glasses of orange juice. She got out another plate, opened up a package of dog food, mixed some cheese in, and set it on the floor for Apollo.

“He doesn’t get to sit at the table?” Noah asked.

“Not until he can use a fork.” Angie laughed.

Noah filled his plate and Angie watched him take his first bite of chicken.

His eyes opened wide and he said, “This is delicious.”

Smiling wide, she nodded and filled her plate.

“You are an amazing woman of many talents,” he said.

“Thank you. I try. Don’t worry, I have my flaws, too. I can get cranky, especially when I get hot or if I don’t get enough sleep. Okay, very cranky. Even the fire ants get out of my way.”

Noah laughed.

“I tend to get bossy. I’m also slow to anger, but when I do, it’s not pretty, and I can hurt people’s feelings.”

“Do they deserve to have their feelings hurt?”

“Probably,” Angie said. “Once in a while, though, I have to apologize. And your flaws?”

“Me? I’m wonderful,” Noah said. “Charming, handsome, smart, and funny.”

“Ah, hubris is your fatal flaw. Too much pride,” Angie said. “Just like all of the heroes from the Greek and Roman myths.”

He really wanted to talk to Angie about the mating ceremony again. In spite of her not wanting to go through the ceremony with him, he felt as though they had made a connection. She seemed to like him. However, he was sure that if he brought it up, she would shut down and so he kept his mouth shut.

“It’s getting late. I guess I better go,” he said.

She nodded and walked him to the door. Noah touched her face with the back of his hand, brushed a kiss across her lips, and hugged her tightly. She returned the hug, reluctantly letting go as he left.

5

Angie

Angie watched him drive off through the window and then called Flora.

“I spent the afternoon with Noah,” she said. “Or rather, he spent it with me. I was surprised, but he stayed at the food bank with me all afternoon, gathering food and other supplies, bagging them, and handing them out. He was charming to every person who came in, and I’m pretty sure that every woman, from the age of eight on up, is in love with him. I’m certain that several women would have stripped on the spot if he had asked them to. The kids loved him. He makes it so easy to like him,” Angie said.

“He sounds like he’s an amazing man,” Flora said.