The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

Nathan looks perturbed. “Well, Alex isn’t available.”

“Are you sure that’s the case?” I question him tersely. “Or did you think this would be a good time to come and finish the job, now that Alex isn’t around?”

Nathan flinches. “That’s not—”

“Because I’ll stab you if you try it,” I warn him. “You’d better stay away from me, Nathan. I don’t have time to play with you.”

He flushes. “I just came to see what was so important.” When I stare at him darkly, he also says, “I’m not stupid enough to try to kill you again.”

I remain silent, as it seems like there’s more he has to say. From the look on his face, he’s struggling with something.

“I—” His face turns a bright red, and his fists ball up at his sides.

“Is this some new way of shifting forms?” I ask warily. “I’m leaving. I’m not sticking around to find out what you’re up to. Just tell Alex to find me when he’s free.”

I have just started to walk away when Nathan shouts at my back, as if unable to contain himself, “I’m sorry!”

My jaw drops, I’m so shocked by his apology. Slowly, I turn around and face him. I’m sure I misheard. “What was that?”

His face is still red, and he refuses to meet my eyes. “I said I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to kill you. And you were right. I was—I was using Alex as a tool. I didn’t think his happiness mattered. At least, that’s how I was behaving.”

I stare at him. “Is this some sort of trick?”

He still doesn’t look at me. “No. I’m capable of apologizing when I’m in the wrong. Alex has never complained to us, not even once. When we found out you were his fated mate, he could’ve said that he was going to be with you, but he told us not to worry, that he wouldn’t choose his own happiness over the pack.”

He swallows, his expression tense. “I was relieved at the time, but it should have bothered me. Just because he’s the Alpha doesn’t mean he doesn’t have feelings or that they don’t matter. Out of everyone, you’ve been the one most concerned about how he feels, when it should have been us.”

Although Nathan won’t look at me while he’s apologizing, the apology itself is surprisingly mature and shows me the side of him that Alex implied existed. Nathan may still be young, but he had to grow up fast. He does look remorseful, and he’s been dealt a pretty shitty hand. I do understand his situation.

“It’s okay,” I say, running my fingers through my hair and feeling awkward. “But just to play it safe, why don’t you stay where I can see you?”

While I can forgive, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is easy to forget all the cruel things he said to me and what he was about to do to me when Alex stopped him.

I take out Rita’s diary and toss it to Nathan. He catches it. “What is this?”

“I went to Rita’s cottage last night. I think I might have an idea of who the Silver Wolf is.” When his head shoots up, I add, “I’m not sure yet, but it’s a pretty strong hunch. There’s a female server who works night shifts with me at the bar. Her name is Eve. She may be the person you guys are looking for.”

“But what about—” Nathan cuts himself off, and I give him a wry smile.

“The female shifter in the cage fighting ring?” I ask. “She’s not the Silver Wolf. You should probably leave that poor woman alone.”

Nathan looks uncertain as he glances down at the diary again. “How can you say for sure?”

“Because this is a strong lead,” I tell him firmly. “And I know the fighter you’ve been watching. She’s not the Silver Wolf.”

“But then, who is she?”

“I don’t think that’s your business, Nathan. If I reveal her identity, she could get in a lot of trouble with the pack. So, leave her alone. Also, Eve was in Rita’s cottage last night, too, searching for something. Look, I don’t know how much Alex has told you guys, but he and I have been working together to find the Silver Wolf. I just wanted to give him the diary.”

I’m about to walk away when Nathan calls my name. “Sophia?”

I don’t answer, but I look at him over my shoulder.

He appears ashamed. “I am sorry for what I said.”

“Which part?” I ask coolly. “And you shouldn’t apologize. I know you meant what you said.”

Nathan looks uneasy now. “I didn’t—”