Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Katie

Miraculously, | managed to zip up my dress.

I'd reluctantly agreed to go to a regional pack event tonight with Quinn’s brother, Asher.

My bump was huge, but everyone already knew me as the pregnant girl anyway.

The doorbell rang and my heart ski pped a beat.

| glanced around the small but cozy cottage I’d moved into after leaving Adele’s condo.

| was used to nights in on the couch, enjoying my time alone.

I

Part of me wanted to throw my pajamas back on now and tell Asher | wasn’t up for it, but | put on my big girl pants and walked to the door.

When the door swung open and | saw Asher looking unbelievably tall and handsome in his smart casual suit, | was immediately glad | didn’t chicken out.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Even though he was covered up, | could still see his bulging arm muscles and his broad torso.

His sandy blonde hair was pushed back off his face and his smile was beaming.

“Wow,” he said, looking me up and down. “You look stunning.”

Heat blossomed on my cheeks. “Thanks. Right back atcha.”

“So what exactly is this thing?” | asked as we drove down the winding forest road away from Stillwood.

“It's kind of like a social networking thing for all the packs along this part of the coast. It only happens a couple of times a year so it can get a little... rowdy sometimes

Oh go ds, I'd barely adjusted to life in Stillwood, | didn’t know if | was ready to be in a room with that many

wolves from different packs.

| rubbed my belly protectively

The more strangers there were, the more likely | was to be asked questions | couldn’t answer...

“The Council hates this event, too,” Asher continued. “They'd much rather keep us as separate as

possible. | never really understood why, though.”

My ears perked up at his mention of the Council, and my pulse quickened slightly.

| felt a slight whirring in my brain like it was trying to recall something that had long been hidden away.

“They'll probably have some undercover High Guards or something stationed there to make sure we don’t

get too out of control,” Asher chuckled.

I snorted a quiet laugh, but the idea of the Council watching over the party made me uneasy. 1/2

“Where are we going exactly?

Asher looked over at me and his lips quirked up in a smirk.

“You're sure putting a lot of blind faith in me,” he said. “What if I’m taking you out to the woods to murder you or something?” This time | laughed for real, and smacked him across the arm.

“You're Quinn’s brother! If you killed me, she'd kill you worse.”

Asher laughed. “Yeah, because that makes so much sense.”

This was nice, this easy vibe between us.

“But to actually answer your question, the party is happening at a lodge nearby. It changes locations every time, though.” “A lodge?

Asher scoffed

Je fancy”

“Yeah, it’s total hoity-toity rich wolf s hit. It’s basically a glorified country club in the middle of the woods.”

Asher was a rogue wolf who worked at a metal factory, he wasn’t the kind of guy who’d be impressed by a champagne tower. out.”

“Why are you going, then? Sounds like it’s not your thing.”

“Very much not,” he said, shooting me a mischievous look. “But maybe | wanted an excuse to ask you

Asmall flutter of excitement moved in the pit of my stomach.

Or was it anxiety?

Asher was a good guy, | was pretty f ucking sure of that.

He was kind, helpful, and interested in what | had to say.

| felt safer when | was with him.

But still...1 wasn’t sure if what | felt was anything more than friendship.

For all | knew I'd never been in love or even had a mate, but wasn’t it supposed to feel like some crazy fireworks show when you locked eyes or whatever?

Besides, could he really be that interested in me when | had a baby on the way and didn’t even know who

the father was?

“You know that stuff doesn’t matter to me, Katie,” he said. “You're not your past.”

| jumped. Had | said all that out loud?

But I knew | hadn't.

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