Werewolf Romance: The Alpha’s Bride

An Old Friend’s Arrival

The bar was packed, with the air thickening from beer and wolf scents all around. Chloe was busy nursing a soda while a lady marched in, commanding the attention of everyone inside. She was tall and had features that were very sharp. The words "confidence" spoke from the strong and bold scent that lingered on her. "Are you the b***h who thinks she can have my mate?" she demanded, stopping in front of Chloe.

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Your mate being?"

"Jackson Swift," the woman said with a very challenging tone.

"Kelsey," Jackson says as he appears by Chloe's side, surprise and warmth mingling in his voice. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just checking up on you," Kelsey said, her smile softening at the sight of Jackson. "Making sure this town is doing right by my best friend."

Chloe's stomach churned. "You didn't tell me she was coming," she said to Jackson.

"I had no cluen," he replied, resting his hand against her lower back, "I sworn your mom to secrecy. You know she can't tell me no," Kelsey added, winking.

Kelsey continued, "I run a bit of event planning," as she slid into the booth with them. "When I heard that Jackson got hitched, I thought I'd come lend a hand. You know, help you make it something unforgettable."

"How did you two meet?" Kelsey inquired, leaning forward.

"The first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one," Jackson said, his gaze fastened to Chloe. "Took a little convincing, though."

"I heard you were null, Chloe," Kelsey said casually but acutely pointed out.

"Not anymore," Chloe said quietly.

"They say nulls are weak and infertile," Kelsey pressed on.

"Kelsey," Jackson warned.

"Try me," Chloe said, dead on.

"Oh? Have I said something wrong? Sorry." It was too smooth for an excuse, so Chloe knew it wasn't true.

Later that night while eating, Kelsey and Jackson shared nostalgic moments from their childhood. "We have done so much mischief while growing up," Kelsey would say as she laughed. "Do you remember frogs in the toilet?"

"Oh, groan, I guess that was your suggestion, so I thought momma would skin us alive for that," Jackson recalls.

"We stuffed them in, kept it closed," Kelsey added. "Great surprise just when you wanted to pee."

Chloe plastered a smile upon her face, but the following punch from Kelsey was, "Oh hey, remember that time we swore we'd be each other's mates?"

Jackson was slightly awkward, "That was a long time ago. That was just as kids."

"Yeah, ancient history like I said," Kelsey continued, but her eyes still lingered on Chloe. "But now you have Chloe."

"Yeah, I do," Jackson added, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Now, they turned to wedding plans, but those were elsewhere in Chloe's mind. Storm clouds on the horizon had the feel of Kelsey coming in, and local whispers about her being an Omega hung in her ears. She wasn't sure how much more before something broke.