Page 41 of Alpha's Claim
I nod. “Identical.”
“When do I get to meet him?” Paloma’s sitting at the picnic table, her head propped on her hands. She’s got a healthy color to her cheeks and looks more alive and relaxed than I’ve seen her.
“Hopefully never.”
She chuckles like I’m joking, but I’m not. Teddy’s home on the mountain, but Matthias said Lana’s pregnancy is making him grouchier than usual.
I hope he lies low. Whenever we meet, we fight. Combining his bad mood with the way I’m amped up to protect Paloma would lead to World War III.
I keep checking my phone.
Paloma looks up when it buzzes as a text comes through. “Any word about Wren’s location?”
“Not yet, but my associate, Kylie, is working on it. Her mate–husband–owns the top infosecurity company, and she’s one of the best hackers in the world. If anyone canfind Wren, it’s her.”
“What did she say?”
“She’s working on hacking the school’s computers to link up to Wren’s school-issued laptop.”
The tension returns to Paloma’s face, and I would do anything to wipe it away.
“The clock is ticking. What if he’s already pulled her from the trip? Or–”
“Don’t go there,” I say firmly. “Wewillfind her.”
“I should call him. Promise to turn myself in–just to buy us more time.”
“No,” I growl. “No way. That would give him the chance to make demands we aren’t willing to meet.”
“We?” Paloma searches my face.
My chest tightens. I can’t be part of awe. Not when my bear is so destructive. I would end up harming Paloma, like I hurt our biological mom–and she was a bear. She healed. If I hurt Paloma I would never forgive myself. I’d rather die.
But there’s no way I’m going to let her feel like she’s alone in this, either.
“Yes,we. I’m in this with you, princess. We will see this through together.”
And then I will have to let you go.
My bear nearly breaks free at that. I have to turn away to hide my glowing eyes from her. Breathe deeply and clench my fists to keep him down. He’s been clawing to get out ever since we got here.
Bringing Paloma here, to the mountain, makes my bear think he’s going to claim her. Mark her as my fated mate. The only reason I’ve held him off, I suspect, is because he recognizes Paloma needs to heal. Still, the need to mark her is growing by the minute.
As if what’s going on with Thompson and finding Wren wasn’t complicated enough.
I serve up the salmon and pause to watch her take the first few bites. I fucking love feeding her. It soothes my bear.
She wriggles in her seat. “It’s delicious. Thank you.”
“Better than tuna mac and cheese, at least.”
Her soft laugh does strange things to my chest.
I check the potatoes I have roasting in aluminum foil. They’re almost done. The wind picks up, chapping Paloma’s cheeks.
“We can go inside, if you’re cold,” I offer, settling onto the picnic bench opposite her
She wipes her lips on a napkin. “I enjoy being outside.” After years of captivity, going where she wants must feel glorious.