Page 14 of Fated Alpha Baby

“Thank you,” I return as she spins on her heel and sets forth toward the mansion.

I grab my backpack from the passenger seat and follow her forward.

The rest of the group hangs near the porch, and more introductions are made, but I can tell that I am the odd one out of the lot. The Goldfang, Nightcreek, and Blood Mill packs are clearly familiar with each other, and it’s my first time meeting them.

That’s why I’m relieved to be shown to my quarters, and the young witch, Milly, leaves me to my own devices, assuring me that I’m free to roam the village as I please.

Not that I want to.

With the conference meeting only set for tomorrow night, I don’t intend to make myself too comfortable around here.

But as I step into the shower while I wait for Simon to get back, and the warm water washes over me and washes away the journey from Bitterroot to Augusta, my mind drifts somewhere I wish it wouldn’t go.

Her cheeks are rosy, her skin a delicious, subtle tan, her eyes dark and fiercely shaped. Dragon-shaped eyes. Lips as plush and pigmented as roses in bloom.

My own eyes close as my hand travels over the contours of my abs until I find the hardness of my rigid erection hanging hot and heavy under the light spray of the shower. I stroke my cock, imagining her lips on the tip, wrapping around the shaft and—

No.

No!

My eyes fly open, and I pull my hand away like a thief caught in the act, slamming my palm against the shower tiles and panting like I’d been running in wolf form and just shifted back.

That was unexpected.

I let out a slow breath and wash up as normally as I can. But my mind still hangs on the image of the dark head that appeared fiery when the sunlight caught her at the perfect angle.

Why am I thinking about her again?

Why do I care?

I shouldn’t.

I don’t.

By the time I’m done changing into a fresh set of sweats, Simon returns from putting Marcus Hale in the coven’s holding cells.

“He has no idea where he is,” Simon tells me.

“Don’t believe a word he says, and keep a close eye on him. At least until we’ve left him to the witches. He’ll be their problem soon enough.”

Simon nods. “Amalia said to remind you to go see her.”

“She seems rather eager to speak to me, doesn’t she?”

“Well, she’s too old for you, bro,” Simon chuckles as he pulls out clean clothes from his bag. “Just tell her you’re not interested.”

I scoff. “I do plan on telling her I’m not interested. But I have a feeling it’s not as straightforward as it seems.”

Simon straightens up and frowns. “What does that mean? Is there something you haven’t told me?”

Sighing as I sink onto a sofa in the corner of the room, I steeple my hands in front of my chin and eye the aging Persian rug on the floor, following the paisley patterns of blue and burgundy woven into a neat piece.

“Amos spoke to the head witch already. Says that the woman I’m supposed to be looking for—the witch with fire and air magic—is here, in Augusta. Amalia confirmed it.”

Simon’s eyes widen. “She confirmed it? That’s why they sent you here…”

“No. I’m not going to pay attention to any of that. We’re gonna do what we came to do as far as Hale and the alliance are concerned, and then go back home. I don’t care to find my mate, even if she is here.”