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

“You better keep your attitude in check. I’m not threatening you, but you are at my mercy right now. Also, I risked my life for you yesterday. Noah came over after I brought you here. If he had discovered you in my bedroom, it would have been my head on the execution block, as well as yours. And for your information, I don’t want you interfering in my dating life. You found your happiness with your fiancée. You can’t stop me from finding mine.”

He seems to deflate at my words. “Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Happy.”

I open my mouth to say yes, but nothing comes out. Swallowing, and feeling furious for some reason, I walk out of the room, my voice hard. “I’m going to go take out the steaks, and then I’ll tell Patrick you’re here.”

I close the bedroom door behind me and press the back of my hand against my mouth as my heart beats in a painful rhythm.

Asshole.

Happy? Of course I’m not happy. I’m miserable.

But I don’t want to tell him that. I don’t want him to know my true feelings. I press the heels of my hands against my eyes and let out a few trembling breaths.

Get a grip, I tell myself. You couldn’t leave him out there to die.

I take the steaks out of the freezer so they can thaw. Heading into the living room, I grab my phone.

The motel’s owner, Larry, a mild-mannered individual, answers my call. “Oakrest Motel. What can I do for you?”

“Larry, it’s me, Sophia. You have a few guests staying with you. I need to talk to one of them. His name’s Patrick.”

“Patrick,” he drawls. “Sounds familiar. Are you talking about one of the six men who’re traveling together?”

“Yes.”

He makes a sound of understanding. “I’ll put you through to his room.”

The line shifts into some flute music.

A minute later, another man picks up, and I recognize the voice. “Patrick speaking.”

“Patrick, it’s Sophia.” I’m about to tell him about Alex when a wave of paranoia comes over me. “You left a package at my place the other day. Can you come pick it up?”

There is silence on the other end, and then he asks slowly, “A package?”

“I think it’s a very important package,” I say tightly. “Thought you might’ve noticed it missing since last night?”

More silence, and this time when he speaks, his voice is sharp. “Of course. How could I forget? What was your address again?”

By the time I end the call after shooting off my address, my hands feel sweaty. I have to be careful. If anybody so much as suspects that I’m harboring the black wolf, I don’t know what will happen to me.

I head back into the kitchen, and resting my hands on the counter, I stare down at the thawing meat.

This situation is dangerous. I am in way over my head. What should I do?

Suddenly, I hear a muffled groan. My heart nearly stops. Grabbing the bandages I put on the kitchen counter last night, I rush toward the bedroom and throw open the door. “What’s wrong?”

Alex is trying to get to his feet, one arm in the sling and the other holding his stomach.

“Are you crazy?!” I hurry over and force him to sit back down on the bed. “What are you thinking?”

“Bathroom,” Alex grunts.

I press my lips together into a thin line. “You should’ve called for me. Do you have any idea about how bad your wounds are? You shouldn’t be moving around like that!”