The Alpha's Broken Mate

Chapter Eight

CATHERINE'S POV

The next morning at school, I found myself humming as I opened my locker, looking down the hall now and then. The thought of seeing Tyler brightened my day. He’d been on my mind all weekend. I thought of his smile, his laugh, even that confidence that seemed so effortless for him.

Missing Monday had hurt me especially because I’d spent it scrubbing floors because Ann instructed me to when all I could think about was seeing him.

I snapped back to reality at the sound of a familiar voice beside me. “Hey, stranger.”

I turned. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up into Tyler’s face. He had a huge grin on his face and it made me happy to know his grin was directed at me.

“Hey, you,” I replied, feeling a wide smile spread across my face.

“Where were you yesterday?” he asked, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the lockers. “You missed a test.”

I hesitated. I felt the words linger on my tongue. Because my stepmother preferred to make my life miserable didn’t feel like the right answer.

“I, um... had some things to take care of at home,” I said, brushing it off. “Long story.”

He nodded. “I get it. Just glad you’re here today.” His eyes held mine, and for a second, I forgot where we were. He had a way of making the world disappear.

I looked down to hide the blush that crept up my cheeks.

“You know, I missed seeing you this weekend,” he said. His tone was so gentle that it made my heart flutter.

I glanced up, looking at him in surprise. I couldn't believe he just said that. “I missed you too.”

He smirked “Say it again.”

“What?”

He tilted his head, looking at me with a smug grin “Tell me how much you missed me.”

The words almost got stuck in my throat, but there was something in his gaze that made me want to say it. “I... missed you,” I whispered.

“Good girl.”

From the sound of his voice, I felt a thrill that sent a shiver down my spine. Tyler had an easy confidence that was infectious, and right then, he leaned a little closer. “What do you say we ditch?”

I blinked, looking at him in surprise . “You mean, like... ditch school?”

His grin widened. “Yeah, come on"

"I've never done that before"

First time for everything, right?”

I’d never even considered skipping before, but something about the way he looked at me made me forget any reasons I’d had to stay. I nodded. “Alright. Where are we going?”

Tyler’s face lit up as he took my hand. We slipped out of the school, heading to his car parked in the lot. I held my breath as he started the engine and drove off, hoping nobody would catch us. I felt like I was stepping into some new, thrilling world, leaving the boring world behind.

As we drove, we talked and laughed. I found myself relaxing in a way I hadn’t in ages. Eventually, Tyler pulled up at a small park with an ice cream truck parked nearby.

“Thought you might like this,” he said, nodding toward the truck.

I squealed in excitement as he opened the door for me. I loved ice cream so much. We grabbed our ice creams and strolled down a pathway. Tyler’s hand brushed against mine now and then.

The air was warm. It was a sunny beautiful day. The perfect kind of day for a walk in the park.

We found an empty bench where we could sit. We watched the people and laughed at little things they did.

I looked at him, smiling as he talked. I loved hearing him speak. I could watch him talk all day. Every so often, he’d look at me, and there was something in his gaze that made me feel like the only person in the world. He was so much more than just the “cool guy” everyone saw. There was a kindness in his smile and a charm that I couldn’t resist.

“What’s that look for?” he asked. He smirked as he noticed me watching him.

“Just... you’re different,” I murmured. I realized the words had slipped out before I’d even thought about them.

He chuckled “Different, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is,”

A few moments passed in a comfortable silence before Tyler reached over and brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered a moment, warm against my cheek.

“You know,” he murmured, “you’re amazing.”

I felt my breath catch in my throat. No one had ever looked at me the way he did, like I was something precious. I wanted him to know that I felt it too. That I thought he was amazing, that he made me feel alive.

Before I could say anything, Tyler leaned in and softly pressed his lips to mine. His hand gently cupped my cheek. As soon as our lips collided, I felt jolts of electricity. My wolf came alive in a way I never knew was possible. It felt like everything was perfect in the world.

I felt myself melt into him. My heart raced as I kissed him back, feeling the warmth of him against me. He pulled away slowly after a few seconds.

“Hey, look at me,” he whispered.

I looked up into his eyes, feeling dazed and breathless. His smile widened as he pulled me close. We stayed like that for a while, lost in the moment.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, Tyler pressed his ice cream cone against my cheek, sending a cold, sticky mess running down my face.

I gasped. “Oh, you did not just do that!”

He laughed “Guess I did. What’re you gonna do about it?”

“Oh, you’re so going to pay for that.”

I reached for my own cone and smeared it on his nose. He glared at me.

We both laughed with ice cream dripping down our faces. Eventually, we leaned back against the bench. The park around us was a quiet backdrop to our laughter and easy conversation. Tyler’s arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me close. I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat.

He looked down at me “I’m glad you came out with me. I know things are rough for you right now. But... I just want you to know, you don’t have to face everything alone.”

Hearing those words, I felt a lump in my throat. Something shifted inside me. It was the first time anyone had told me that.