The Doctor's Alpha Mate

A Different Shade Of Him

Max's eyes bored into mine, the tension was palpable. What was he talking about? What was he talking about? I wondered silently, staring at him.

“Yo—you're trying to scare me,” I finally managed to speak, my eyes fixed on him. “Look,” I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves even as cold hands of fear curled around my heart. “I don't want any trouble, just don't involve me in what's going on, whatever it is.” I stammered, my eyes pleading. “Please just leave,” I whispered.

Ava's words echoed in my mind “You're coming back, Sophie.” I'd struggled so hard to make a life here, I couldn't let his presence ruin it.

Max's face turned grim, “I can't,” he said, his voice a low growl. “I can't leave and…” his eyes met mine. “I won't leave you. You're mine,” his voice couldn't have sounded any more certain. His eyes shone with a familiar glow as his gaze swept over me.

His words echoed through me, making my heart race. I wanted to fight it, but something inside me stirred, I was his? The words made me shiver, not in fear—something else, something deeper… “Enough,” I snapped, more to myself than to him, pulling myself out of my thoughts.

“What do you want from me?” I swallowed hard, I forced my eyes to meet his, trying to make sense of everything. Everything happening around me seemed to be somehow linked to him, I just didn't know how.

“What I want…” the glow in Max's eyes dimmed slowly, “Is to…” a cell phone rang, breaking the silence. My eyes narrowed as I traced the sound down to him, he had a cell phone? My jaw dropped. How did he get that?

Max's expression changed, and he pulled out a cell phone. He put the cell phone to his ear and listened, the fervor in his eyes became brighter. “I'll be there,” was all he said before he put the cell phone away. “I have to go,” he glanced at me, his hands already reaching for some neatly folded clothes behind him. His brief movement revealed part of his chest, I spotted the scar, it wasn't healed yet.

My nerves tightened, as foreboding rose within me. “I…” I hesitated, “You can't leave.” He alone could give me the answers I needed, well, at least compared to the werewolves after him. I shuddered, he was more likely to talk to me than them.

“Missing me already? Max curled his lips as he pulled on a black hoodie and I heard the subtle wince of pain that escaped his lips, humour filled his eyes as he regarded me.

“No, of course not,” I retorted, lowering my head so he wouldn't see my flushed cheeks. “I just want you to tell me what exactly is going on,” my expression became serious as I spoke, I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I managed to bite back the urge to retort and tell him to stay put, he hadn't healed completely.

Max's eyes searched mine for one long moment before he finally spoke, “Okay, I'll tell you, but not now.” His easy agreement caught me by surprise, I'd been prepared to argue or… I exhaled slowly, letting go of the syringe I'd secretly slipped into my pocket.

I stared at him. “How can I trust you?”

Max's lips curled up, a smile tugging at his lips. For a moment all I did was stare, my mind in a daze. “You can't,” Max spoke, snapping me out of my daze and I blushed, I was staring. Max's hand stroked my chin before I could evade him, “I won't be leaving you anytime soon,” his words sent butterflies fluttering in my belly.

“I…” I paused, lost for words. I was about to speak when he tugged me to him and a split second later his lips were on mine. My brain went blank, and my mind short-circuited, his lips laid claim to mine, giving me no chance to evade. For a moment the world faded, leaving just this moment—this kiss. All I could do was cling to him as his lips met mine with the most delicious contact, I moaned my hands tangling in his hair as I pressed his lips closer, wanting more.

I could feel Max's body respond, his hand at the small of my back and he pressed me till I was flush against him.

An awkward cough shattered the silence, I broke free from Max's lips, whirling around and my eyes met Jason's wintry eyes. His lips thinned, “Seems I was interrupting something,” his gaze swept over me to Max.

“I…” the words lodged in my throat, I stood there uncertainly, not quite sure what to say. My stomach twisted as Jason's cold stare met me and a wave of guilt flooded me. I tried to move. It was then I realized Max was still holding my waist, his eyes were fixed on Jason with evident dislike. His hands tightened when I tried to push them away.

“Have a nice day, Sophie,” Jason's voice was light but I could sense the inner turbulence in it, and my heart tightened.

“Jason, wait,” I struggled and failed to get out of Max's grasp but he held me tightly. Jason didn't turn or stop, storming out, the sound of the door being slammed echoed in the ward.

“What's wrong with you?” I snapped, glaring at Max, I tapped on his hands. “Let me go.”

“No,” Max met my gaze evenly, not faltering. “What's the relationship between you and him?” His eyes flashed with a cold light. “It's evident he likes you and I won't have it,” he growled, his eyes glowing again.

“And how's that any of your business?”I snapped. His possessiveness both irked and thrilled me, I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on those feelings. “Don’t do that again.”

“Or what?” Max's eyes danced with humor, he lowered his face till it was inches away from mine. “You know the truth about us, the connection.” His warm breath tickled my face, “Face it, Sophie, We're meant to be mates. It's fate,” his lips curled slightly. “And you know it.”

His words lingered in the air between us, and as he held me tight, I couldn’t tell if the fear in my chest was from the danger outside—or from what I felt inside. I shuddered uncontrollably and the realization of his words pressed against me. I feared he might be right.