Page 32 of The Alpha’s Chosen Mate

Stephanie is going to kill me.

He glances back down at the troll, his amusement fading again. Goddess, what I wouldn’t give to know what he’s thinking right now. Does he like it? Is he happy I’m back? I know he noticed I left, but how did he feel about it?

“I got it because of the troll—”

“Under the bridge. I figured.” Another hint of a smile as he slips the doll back into the bag. “Have you eaten?”

“On my flight, yes.”

He frowns, and I don’t know what to make of that. Why would he be upset that I’ve eaten?

“Do you need to unpack?”

“Eventually.” I shrug. “There’s no rush.”

“I could help you,” he offers.

“Thank you, but no. I’m sure you want to get back to your party.”

“I don’t. Not anymore.”

“I…” I don’t know what to say to that.

What if I’m reading too much into the way he’s staring at me—into what he’s implying? I promised myself I wouldn’t run from him, but that doesn’t mean I plan to make a move. He may not even want me. Maybe he’s just being nice, the way he’s always been.

“Actually, I was planning to take a walk around the lake.” I meet his eyes and hold his serious gaze.

I may be braver now, bolder, but I’m still not bold enough to ask outright.

Please, Goddess, don’t let him be dense.

“I’ll go with you?” He says it like a question, but I know it’s not up for debate. He’s inviting himself.

Thank Selene for that. Now I don’t have to.

“Okay.” I smile as I pass him, brushing my shoulder against his arm.

His entire body tenses at the contact. I try not to read too much into that either.

I’m not running. I’m just not getting my hopes up.

Pack members wave and greet me as we head towards the forest, Harrison never more than a few steps away. He detours briefly to set his gift down, and while he does, I grab a blanket from the stack near the dock in case we find a good spot for stargazing.

“Did you want any cake?” Harrison asks when he catches up to me. “I can grab you a slice.”

“No, thank you.” My stomach is too knotted for cake. I’m about to be completely alone with him for the first time since I kissed him.

I wanted him to come with me, but that doesn’t make me any less nervous.

He takes the blanket from me, avoiding my touch again, and as we traipse through the forest in silence, he keeps a foot of distance between us.

Beneath the cover of the trees, my nerves quadruple. I clamp my mouth shut so I don’t say anything stupid. Or puke. The riot of butterflies in my stomach has me regretting the hearty meal I ate on the plane.

We reach the clearing where I shifted much faster than I expected. Neither of us said that’s where we were headed, but somehow it’s where we end up.

It’s pretty in the summer, filled with wildflowers and soft green grass that reaches my knees in places. I skim my palms over the tickling blades while Harrison spreads the blanket beneath the stars.

The air is fraught with uncertainty, heavy and thick, like a fog floating above the lake on a chilly morning.

“Why’d you leave?” Harrison breaks the tension with his question.

“For culinary school. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I—”

“No.” He grabs my arm, making me look at him. He’s closer than I realized. His chest brushes my shoulder with every ragged inhale. “Why’d you leave?”

Gone is the unreadable, guarded facade. In its place are worry, confusion, and hurt. Vulnerability. Feelings an alpha would never show anyone, yet he shows them to me without hesitation.

Feelings caused by me.

I hurt him. When I left the pack—when I left this clearing—I hurt him.

I hold his gaze, staying true to my promise not to run again. Not until I know where I stand with him. Not until I know whether he feels the same.

“Would you believe me if I said I wish I had stayed?”

Something akin to relief washes over him, relaxing his entire body. He exhales and rests his forehead against mine, his hand cupping my face with a tenderness he’s only ever given me.

“Yes,” he murmurs. “I’d believe you. Because I wish you’d stayed too.”