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

But I really don’t have any other way.

I look at Alex and mutter, “You’re passed out. You won’t even know what I did.”

I lift the bottle to my own mouth and drain it. Then, leaning down, I press my lips against Alex’s and force his mouth open. As I transfer the medicine into his mouth, I can feel his throat move as he instinctively swallows.

Embarrassment is vivid as my body reacts to our proximity. My nipples harden, and my lips tingle at the contact.

When I pull back and gaze at him, it hits me that this is the first time we have been this close to each other since he kissed me at the bar. I should not be aroused by the sight of this man when he’s passed out and badly injured, but it seems that, somewhere inside me, I am actually shameless.

“That wasn’t a kiss.” I point a finger at the unconscious man in my bed. “I didn’t kiss you. That was just me saving your life.”

I feel slightly better for saying that out loud.

I will have to go get some bandages for his wounds. They’re going to take some time to heal, and in the meantime, they could get infected. I don’t think I will be able to visit the healer’s office at this time of night without arousing suspicion, but there’s an all-night pharmacy in my neighborhood. I’ll just get some disinfectant and bandages. And maybe a sling for that arm. The human pharmacist is not going to ask me any questions.

I close my bedroom door and, grabbing my purse, I start to head out. But as soon as I open my front door, I go still.

Noah is standing there.

His expression is grim. “I think we should talk.”

Oh, crap.

Chapter 15

Sophia Hope

My heart sinks at Noah’s words. “Did something happen?” I ask. It’s hard to keep my tone steady.

“Can I come in?” He looks over my shoulder.

I want to say no, but if I tell him I’m going out to the pharmacy, he’s going to have a lot of questions. So, I step aside. “Sure. I was just about to head to bed.”

“With your wallet?” He looks pointedly at my purse.

“Oh, no.” I laugh nervously. “I owe my neighbor twenty bucks. I was going to slide it under his door. We hardly ever run into each other, and I just wanted to make sure I paid him back. I can do it tomorrow.”

I don’t know whether Noah buys my explanation or not, but he walks past me into my living room.

He looks around. “This is a nice place.”

I give him a small smile and say nothing. He’s being polite. This is one of the cheapest apartment complexes in town, and the entire building is one step away from being condemned. It’s in terrible condition. I’ve painted my living room plenty of times, but water still manages to seep into the walls and damage them.

“Did you find the black wolf?” I look at him, pretending to be curious.

He sticks his hands in his pockets. “Well, I did a lot of damage to him, but he escaped. We’re going to comb the woods tomorrow. We’ll most likely find his body at that point. I managed to gut him. He’s lost a lot of blood; there’s no way he can survive.”

He sounds quite pleased with his actions, but my stomach churns.

“I see. So, what brings you here?”

“I felt bad for abandoning you on our date. I thought you might want to go for a walk, if you’re not too tired.”

I shake my head. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’m just going to go to bed. And you didn’t have to come all the way over here to make it up to me. I understand why you had to go.”

I see the relief on his face. “Are you sure you’re not upset?”

“Of course not,” I assure him.