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

“I can swim,” I gasp.

But Alex doesn’t seem to want to take any risks. He keeps one arm around me as he swims toward the beach. Once our feet can touch the sandy bottom, he releases me, albeit a little reluctantly.

I wade through the water and then collapse on the beach, staring up at the sky. “I thought I was a goner for sure.”

Alex sinks onto the sand next to me and glares at me. “Tell me I’m wrong about you being a magnet for trouble!”

I can’t counter his words. “Sorry.”

“Why’d you have to chase after that sheet?” he demands, and I realize he’s actually pissed.

I sit up, frowning. “I didn’t know the current would be so strong.”

“That doesn’t matter!” he growls at me, his voice raspy. “Use your common sense! You keep throwing yourself into dangerous situations. You’re not invincible, Sophia, so stop treating yourself as if you are. One of these days…”

He keeps talking, but all I see is the way his hand lifts to scratch the side of his neck. His expression is fierce and agitated, and he doesn’t seem to be aware of his own actions as his nails break the skin. When I scent his blood, my wolf goes into a frenzy. Alex’s words fly over my head as I stare at him. This time, I know what this emotion is that is consuming me.

Desire.

An all-consuming desire.

It’s funny how, when you take your deliberate blinders off, everything begins to make sense.

I grab his wrist before he does some serious damage. “You’re hurting yourself.”

There’s shock on his face, as if he didn’t realize what he was doing. As he lowers his hand, his gaze seeks mine, and I can see the realization in his eyes. He knows. And so do I.

His eyes move down my shirt, which is clinging to me. This time, it’s my turn to smell the thick, musky scent in the air. My wolf rumbles, stretching and preening in response. I find it hard to breathe, the aroma like some sort of aphrodisiac, messing with my head. I can’t really think straight, overwhelmed with the desire that is burning me from the inside out. My hand must have been moving because it’s inches from his chest when he grabs my wrist, his hold tight and his expression dark.

“Don’t.”

The hardness of his tone causes some of the fog to lift.

I study my hand. What was I about to do?

“I’m not interested,” Alex says after a beat. “I’m sorry. You’re just not my type.”

Humiliation blooms within me, and I immediately pull my hand back.

Not his type? The rejection makes me reel. Isn’t he supposed to be my fated mate? The one who will accept me no matter what? He is. I know he is. My wolf has never reacted this way to anyone before. I didn’t want to acknowledge it before, but now, even I can’t deny it. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this—it wasn’t to be so brutally rejected.

My fated mate doesn’t want me.

My chest feels hollow, as if somebody has carved a space inside, shredding my heart to pieces.

I let out an uneven breath, slowly getting to my feet. I don’t think I have the strength to look at him. This is why I never wanted to be in such a situation. This is why I never wanted to be so vulnerable with another person. I feel disgusting. Worthless. If I pulled out my heart right now, it would turn to dust. Wordlessly, I begin to walk away.

“Wait!” Alex calls out. When I don’t stop, he blocks my path, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

I slap it away, mustering up my pride and finally looking at him, my face carefully blank. “I explicitly remember telling you not to rescue me again. What is your problem?”

Alex looks furious. “You were going to drown!”

“So?” I ask, my voice calm. “How does that affect you?”

His face goes pale. “Are you saying you don’t mind dying?”

I take one more step toward him, until we are inches apart. My voice soft, I tell him, “I’m saying that what happens to me is none of your business.” When I see the anger swirling in those pretty blue eyes of his, I can’t stop myself. “You and I both know we are fated mates. Did you think I would break down and cry because you don’t want me?”