werewolves were real.”
“I understand. This is a big thing that I’ve dropped on you here. Well… when I said I was the head of my group, I meant that I’m the alpha. I was elected as alpha after the last alpha defected to another pack in Virginia. It’s a pretty big deal, but nowhere near as big as finding a mate.”
“A mate?”
“Yes. The elder wolves tell us that it is our destiny to find our one true mate in life. We mate for life, and if we fail, we become lone wolves. I cannot fail. My pack needs a strong alpha who has managed to take his mate.”
“Why not just mate with a female werewolf, then?” Alice asked. “Why me?”
“There are no female werewolves. The lycan gene is carried only on the Y chromosome. So all our mates are human females. It is up to us to pursue them and convince them to mate with us. Besides, as I said… it is our destiny that we have only one true mate. You are mine. I dreamed of you, and I caught your scent the minute you came to town.”
“So that’s how you found me that first night? That’s why you’ve been asking me out so much?” Alice asked.
It was a lot to take in. Only last night, she had decided to finally trust men after years of emotional turmoil, and now there was a man in front of her asking her to be with him forever. His mate… for life. That’s a huge decision. On the other hand, though, she could feel her body responding to him like crazy. The heat between her legs was spreading throughout her body, filling her up with a tingling, warm pressure that she knew she would need release from eventually.
“Yes. I know this is a lot to ask of you so soon. I’m not asking for an answer right away,” he said.
“Your eyes… they turned yellow last night as well. Why?”
“My eyes turn yellow for three reasons. The first is obvious; when I shift into wolf form. The second is when I am angry. I was furious when I heard that man speaking to you like that. I almost shifted right then and there and tore his throat out,” he replied. “If only I could shift in public…”
“And the third reason?” she asked breathlessly. She already had a fairly good idea of what it was, but she wanted to hear him say it.
He stepped closer to her, and Alice backed away slightly until she was pressed right up against the wall. Caleb put one arm on the wall above her head and slid the other around her waist, and then leaned down and slid his mouth over her ear.
“Arousal,” he murmured. “That’s the third reason.”
His warm breath against her ear sent powerful shivers running down her spine, and in the few seconds after he had spoken, she frantically considered her reply. Conflicted thoughts flooded through her mind until one thing became abundantly clear to her. I’ve spent so many years avoiding men for fear of being hurt and dumped so cruelly again, like Mark did, and now there’s the perfect man in front of me and he wants me to be his forever. What I need to say is obvious.
“I don’t need time to think anymore,” she whispered. “I need you now. I’ll be your mate.”
Caleb jerked his head back as she spoke and stared at her. His eyes were burning and his jaw was clenched; he was obviously having trouble keeping himself composed.
“Are you certain of this?” he growled.
“Yes.”
Despite his gruff tone, his voice was warm, and it seemed to caress Alice’s entire face and body as he spoke. She was still trembling as she looked up at him, but this time it wasn’t out of fear. It was anticipation. She was a smart girl, so although she was inexperienced in the ways of love, she knew what Caleb taking her as a mate would mean.
He continued to stare into her eyes as he waited for her answer, and it suddenly occurred to Alice just how big he was. She had known the whole time that he was tall and muscular, but up this close, he appeared so strong and capable compared
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