Page 8 of The Alpha’s Chosen Mate

“I believe she said, ‘You can’t just expect everyone to fall at your feet.’” Harrison rubs his chin, pretending to think it over, as if he isn’t exactly sure what I said.

My blush deepens, and I once again have the urge to hide under the table.

Brad taps his chin too, mimicking Harrison. “Yes, but there was more. She also said ‘and’ but she never finished her thought.”

Harrison snaps his fingers. “You’re right! She did say ‘and.’” He leans back in his chair, arms crossed, a smug little grin on his face. “And what, Emily? What else were you going to say?”

“Brad!” Stephanie kicks him under the table, and he yelps. “Stop teasing her! They’re not assholes, I promise,” she adds, turning to me. “Well, not always. Right now, I’m not so sure.”

Brad withers under her glare. “I’m sorry.”

She huffs and tightens her blonde ponytail. “We’ll see how sorry you really are at training later.”

Brad perks up, and I swear his wolf swirls in his eyes, delighted with Stephanie’s challenge.

I subtly glance between them. Stephanie told me earlier that she thinks Brad is her mate. Not that she hopes he is. No, she’s almost one hundred percent convinced that in three years, when they’re both twenty-one, they will be mates.

I wonder if that’s possible. For a shifter to feel part of the mate bond before they’re old enough to actually know. According to our lore, it’s not possible, but… but if two souls are destined for each other from the start, who’s to say they wouldn’t feel part of that connection before they’re supposed to? The mate bond is magic, and there’s so much about magic that we don’t understand, that we never will understand.

My gaze slides to Harrison. He too watches Brad and Stephanie and their not-so-subtle flirting with a contemplative expression that I bet matches mine. Stephanie told me she hasn’t voiced her suspicions to Brad, but based on the way he smiles at her and the way Harrison watches them, I’m guessing Brad’s come to the same conclusion and told Harrison.

Stephanie takes a sip of her latte. Harrison frowns at her cup, then his eyes flick to me and that frown deepens.

“You didn’t order anything?”

“I didn’t want anything.”

He leans forward, brow arched. “You didn’t want anything, or you didn’t want to buy anything?”

How many times is this male going to make me blush today?

“Don’t worry”—he winks—“I’ll get you something.” He’s out of his seat before I can protest his generosity. “What do you want? Wait, don’t tell me. Let me guess.” He considers me for a moment. “Something sweet?”

“You don’t have to get me anything.”

“It’s the least I can do to make up for being an asshole.”

“You helped me cross the bridge and didn’t make fun of my wild imagination. I know you’re not an asshole.”

That smug grin returns. “Then let me do it because I want to, Em.”

Something loosens inside me when he calls me “Em.” No one has ever given me a nickname before, but he calls me “Em” like he’s been doing it his entire life.

Harrison turns away, and before he can take one step, I blurt, “Yes.”

He glances over his shoulder at me. “Yes what?”

“Sweet. I… I’d like something sweet.”

His smug grin grows before he saunters away towards the register. My gaze is glued to his confident swagger. He’s all alpha as he moves through the coffee shop. Everyone is aware of his presence. His aura is locked down tight, but there’s no doubt that he’s a powerful male who could take anyone down with little effort. And for whatever reason, he’s being kind to me.

I spin in my seat as he glances at me after ordering. I can’t let him know I was watching him. I don’t want him assuming things. Or getting the wrong idea. I just find him interesting.

Yeah. That’s it.

“Here you go.”

Harrison is right next to me, holding a cup. I must have been lost in my thoughts for longer than I realized.