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

My very core feels like a block of ice, and self-deprecating laughter spills out of me. “Because Noah got me a box of tarts.”

Elsa goes still. “What?”

“He dropped off a little box of tarts for me, and Alex saw it. We had words, and then…” I gesture with my hand. “You saw what happened. He had a good time and then immediately regretted touching the latent shifter who’s simply not good enough for him.”

Elsa stares at me for a moment, and then she covers the distance between us and slaps me upside the head.

“Ow!” I glare at her, rubbing the stinging spot. “What was that for?!”

“Stop being so dramatic,” she scolds me. “Has Alex called you latent or said any of those things?”

“No,” I mutter, still smarting from the slap.

“Then stop making assumptions.”

I glower at her. “He told me I’m not his type! You want me to ask him for an entire essay on what that means?”

“If need be, yes,” Elsa replies calmly. “You shouldn’t think you know everything that’s going on in someone’s head. Sometimes you have to fight to get what is rightfully yours. You are each other’s fated mates. That is not a small matter. If he says you’re not his type, you need to ask him what the hell that means. Don’t just start assuming the worst. It’s very easy to hurt your own feelings, Sophia. It’s the easiest thing in the world. And it’s even easier to wallow in self-pity rather than do something about the situation. If you two have been created for each other, then there’s no denying you’re his type. You are his type in every way. You two were born to complement each other.”

She’s starting to make me feel foolish. But my tone is bitter when I ask, “Then why did he run away after he kissed me?”

Elsa sits on the edge of the coffee table, facing me. Her voice is steady. “I don’t know. But you need to ask him. Before you do anything, before you make any decision, you have to be sure the two of you are on the same page. Misunderstandings happen. And the minute they occur, they complicate everything. My understanding of the fated mate bond is that it’s not easy to reject. I may not be one of your kind, but I’ve traveled the world, Sophia. I know a thing or two. There is no such thing as ‘type’ when it comes to fated mates. Fated mates are tied to each other, and there has to be something very drastic for one to reject the other.”

I clench my teeth, absorbing her words. “He told me he doesn’t want me, Elsa. You want me to beg for his affection?”

“I don’t expect you to beg for anything,” my boss tells me. “But I expect you to fight to get what’s rightfully yours. Like I said, it’s easy to keep everything inside and cry over it. Or you can do something about it. Life is too short to whine about problems that can be solved. Ask him. You’ve been through enough in life that you have the balls to go up to him and demand an answer that makes sense. And once you get that answer, if you think it’s something you can work through, that’s great. And if you can’t, then we’ll do something about it.”

“We?” I ask hesitantly.

She gives me a warm smile, reaching out and putting her hands on mine. “Yes, we. Did you think I would let you go through this alone? Have I ever let you go through anything alone?”

I shake my head mutely, not trusting myself to speak. She’s right. Elsa has been a constant in my life. Not only her, but Drew and Rita, as well. I’m so afraid of trusting people that I always overlook the ones who are willing to be a part of my life. I was wrong: I’m not entirely alone. I do have people who care about me.

“You should’ve come to me the moment all of this started,” Elsa reminds me. “You’re young, Sophia. And I know that things haven’t been easy for you and that you’ve had to grow up quickly, but you’ve also been sheltered in this town. There are a lot of things you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help sometimes—or even advice.”

I swallow. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for? All I’m saying is that you don’t have to go through every tough moment by yourself. I know you’re upset right now, but we’ll get through this. And as far as your being a latent wolf shifter is concerned, you have other qualities that make you special. I have known you long enough to know the kind of person you are. Alex Stone would be lucky to have you in his life.”

I wipe my eyes, her words like a balm on my soul. “Do you really mean that?”

She lets out a small laugh, then pulls me into her arms for a hug. “Sometimes you’re like a child. Of course I mean that. And whatever happens, I’m right here.”

As I feel Elsa’s warmth, some of the tension fades from my body. She’s right. I can deal with this. I should simply go up to him and ask. At least then I’ll be able to move on. It might be easier said than done, but I don’t want to shy away from my problems. There’s no point in hiding when I can have it over and done with.

“You have the day off today, so just rest.” She pulls away from me and looks me in the eye. “And tomorrow, go deal with your man. Give him a kick in the ass if he needs it.”

Elsa gets to her feet, and I glance at the clock, suddenly remembering that Noah said he would pick me up this afternoon.

“I don’t think I have time to rest. Noah’s going to pick me up in an hour.”

“Noah?” Elsa frowns “Where are you going with him?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

Once again, I see that uneasy look in Elsa’s eyes, but she doesn’t say anything. Nodding slowly, she murmurs, “I’ll leave you to it, then.” She goes to the door but pauses, her hand on the knob, her voice low. “Just be careful.”

Before I can ask her what she means, she opens the door and leaves.