Page 49 of The Alpha’s Heir

Remember what he said, I told her.

Still, I couldn’t help but look at his lips and recall the way they tasted. Or how his hands felt when they held me, like he’d never held onto someone so intensely before.

I really needed to stop reading romance books. I was turning into a cliché.

Roman’s throat worked as he stared at the dress and I could see the torment in his walled-off face, but it was Justus who whistled.

“Damn, mutant. You’re going to be the talk of the city.” Justus strolled into the room like he owned the place. Which, I guess he did.

“It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.” John scolded as he packed up his sewing supplies.

Justus waved him off. “This isn’t a traditional wedding. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

“Behave.” Helen sighed as Justus sank onto the settee beside her.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” He crossed his ankle over his knee and waved his finger in the air. “Well go on, mutant. Turn around. Give us a little show.”

The growl that tore from my chest surprised even me. “I’m not your puppet.”

“No?” Justus grinned. “I thought we all were puppets for these gods of yours, apparently.”

I wanted to argue that they weren’t my gods, but I didn’t even care about this conversation. Not when Roman stepped back like he did, taking my heart with him.

“If there’s nothing else…” He spoke softly, not a hint of the pain I felt burning through my body in his tone.

“You’re dismissed.” Helen shooed him like he was nothing more than a dog.

Justus laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want to stick around to see if she’ll wolf out in the dress?”

Roman took one last look at me before he turned and marched out the door.

My cheeks were burning as I gathered up the fabric near my feet. “I’m done here.”

“Come on,” Justus called after me. “I was only teasing. Learn to take a joke.”

Helen muttered something to her son, but I didn’t stick around to find out what.

Despite my wolf howling for me to chase down Roman, I fled up the stairs to my room. Every inch of my skin was on fire and my thoughts raced a mile a minute.

I wanted to go home. Back to my pack where I was needed. To my family who wanted me.

Curse the gods! I screamed internally, throwing open the bedroom door. This is their mess. Not mine. I don’t owe anyone anything.

I told you we shouldn’t have listened to that goddess. She’s the one who…

“You called?”

I cried out, then clapped my hand over my mouth, seeing Morrigan lying on my bed. The goddess was in her leather pants and matching corset again, lounging like I’d woken her from a nap.

“What are you doing here?” My stomach dropped. “Is it my family? Are they okay?”

“What am I? Their keeper? Don’t they have an Alpha for that?” Morrigan sighed at the look on my face. “They’re fine.”

“If you weren’t with them, where have you been?” I asked.

“Not that it’s any of your business, wolf, but since you asked so nicely. I’ve been visiting Olympus, Asgard, Heaven, Xibalba, Takamagahara, Mount Meru, Hawaiki, temples throughout Egypt—and many other temples throughout the world—and I’m exhausted.”

My eyes widened with each place she mentioned. Hearing it all laid out like this made it feel more real. “I still don’t understand how all these gods can coexist.”