Read Online Suck It Up by Emma Hillman - Free Book Online

repeated to Alistair. She was pretty sure he’d never believe her anyway, but she was used to that coming from a Pride Alpha. They were always so full of themselves, so egomaniac, they didn’t care for the people they were supposed to protect. And God, had she learnt that the hard way.
    When her words dried out, he was still standing there, staring at her. “I believe you,” he finally said.
    She gasped. “What?”
    “I trust you really went through all that. It still doesn’t excuse what you did to my son.”
    “I didn’t do anything to him! He mated with me. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to.”
    “How’s your lioness now?”
    The sudden question threw her. She shook her head, trying to clear it, trying to gain her feet in what could only be described as the weirdest conversation ever. “She’s…much better. Nate explained she actually likes being mated. Something about her only wanting to dominate before?”
    The Alpha nodded. “I’ve seen that in other lions before.”
    “Really?” she couldn’t help but ask. “Everyone else thought I was crazy!”
    “People will say that when they can’t understand something.”
    “Huh, right.”
    “Are you finished?” Nate appeared behind her, pushing her to the side so he could face his father. “Dad?”
    “I am. I’m still not happy with this, Nathan, but I’ll let it go. See that the practice keeps running smoothly, all right?”
    “It’s my job.”
    “I know. You wanted this, son, so now you’re going to have to deal with it.”
    Kellie watched the older man leave the room, the front door slamming shut only seconds later. Tension left her, and she started shaking. It didn’t stop when Nate’s arms wrapped around her.
    He tucked her against him, his palm cupping the back of her head. She snuggled into his embrace and closed her eyes, wondering what the hell had just happened. Something clearly had, but she was too out of sorts to figure it out.
    “Let’s go home, honey. You need to rest. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.” He dropped a soft kiss on her hair and pulled away from her.
    They said their goodbyes to the other couple, Kellie avoiding their sharp glances as much as she could in the time it took her to step outside. They’d probably heard it all, knew her background now and all its sordid details. She cried out inwardly, wondering if she’d ever get to chat with Alexa again. She’d been so trusting earlier, so willing to accept her into this weird family of theirs. But now, it was all ruined.
    “Shh. Don’t worry, baby.” Nate’s focus was on the road, but he was still thinking of her.
    She forced a shaky smile and stared at the passing streets. Why had she moved here? Why?
    * * * *
    “No.” Her face a hardened mask, Kellie stared up at him.
    “It’d make more sense, hon.”
    “For you, maybe, but I just moved into this house, and I like it. I want to stay here.”
    He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Come on, you know we should live together. That’s what mated couples do.”
    “You should have thought of that before you bonded us!”
    Anger sparked inside him. “Is it so fucking bad being mated with me? Is it?”
    She took a step back, almost as if he’d scared her. Fuck!
    “Never mind. Don’t be late tomorrow morning.”
    He slammed the front door shut behind him and strode to his car. He couldn’t believe she’d refused to move to his condo. It was so much more modern, and well, better. She lived in an old part of town, in one of those bungalows that were fashionable decades ago. It was cramped and only boasted one bedroom. Seriously, how could she prefer staying there to his state-of-the-art apartment?
    I really don’t get women sometimes , he commented inwardly as he sped off, his lion pacing inside him at the thought of spending the night away from his mate.
    He didn’t want to go back to his empty home, so instead he took the next right and found a parking space in front of Sam’s. Heads