The Almighty Alpha Thinks I'm His

A Walk By The River and A Midnight Surprise

     I walk back out to tell Max I’m ready and see Melly standing there. Her hands are on her hips. I’m in for a scolding, no doubt.

“Max, please give me five minutes,” I said.

“Sure, no problem,” He said, smiling.

Melly followed me out the door. We head towards my car. We needed privacy, and with the wolf’s hearing, this was as best as we would get.

“Get inside!” She said. I couldn’t help but smile at her attempt to command me. 

“Izzy, you have to stop this now. The guy is going crazy,” She said.

“Melly, I don’t mean to anger him, but he starts it,” I told her.

“He doesn’t like it when you hang with Max,” She said

“He shouldn’t even care; he doesn’t even know I’m his mate. He should feel nothing towards me,” I defended.

“It confuses Brad too, how he’s acting. I don’t know Izzy. Maybe behind all that mumbo jumbo magical charm, he likes you,” She said waving her arms.

“It’s not mumbo-jumbo, and you know it! You’re the one who brought me the magical potion, anyway. I would have just rejected him. Look, If I wasn’t his mate, and he met his mate, he wouldn’t give me a second thought, and you know it,” I yelled.

“Just be careful, make sure this is what you really want before you hurt someone.” She said as she stepped out the car, “I’ll tell Max you’re ready, have fun.” She added, slamming the door.

Suddenly I don’t feel so good. I’m just living a lie, and now my best friend is mad at me.

We stopped for some Ice Cream along the River. The last few hours we spent covering all the town hot spots.

“I’ll take a double chocolate chip,” I said, giving the young girl at the counter my order.

“And I’ll have a double scoop of Butter Pecan,” Max said.

“That will be $4.78,” She said.

I went to grab money out of my purse, but Max had already paid, “My treat, after all, you just gave me the best tour ever,” He smiled.

We grabbed our cones and headed for the walkway. The walkway ran next to the River.

“This is nice. We don’t have a River like this where I’m from,” He said.

It was nice, especially at night. You could see all the different color lights reflecting on the water.

“It’s been a while since I have been here. My dad used to bring me when I was a little girl. We would feed the birds and watch the boats drive by,” I said.

“That’s a great memory; I hope to have with my own kids someday.” He said sadly.

“I’m sure you will. I know soon you are going to meet your mate and get everything you deserve,” I told him.

“What if I know what I want?” He said stopping in front of me. He is standing so close, our lips almost touching, and I don’t know how I feel about it. I let out the breath I’m holding.

“Max, I’m not...” I started. Before I could finish, his lips found mine. They are soft, and though there aren’t tingles running through my body, it feels nice. He’s a good kisser, but I pull away, knowing it’s wrong. I’m, already denying one person their mate, I won’t deny another.

“Max, I can’t. Someday you will meet your mate and I just can’t,” I stammered.

“Izzy, I may never get another mate. I am drawn to you and I like you,” He said.

“No, Max. I’m sorry. As Much as I like you, I just can’t,” I tried again.

“Izzy, it is not a guarantee I will get another mate, you may not either.” He pleaded.

“Max, I just can’t..., not right now,” I said.

We walk to my car in silence. I know Max may not get another mate, but what if he did? He’s an Alpha; I was sure the Goddess would give him another mate. No matter if I liked him, I have to accept that.

 He got out of the car at the packhouse, turned to me, and said. “I’m sorry; I like you a lot. Just think about it, okay?” I nodded my head and watch him walk back inside before driving off.

I parked my Honda in my driveway. It isn’t anything special, but my parents bought it for me when I was sixteen. I put my cell phone in my purse and got out of the car. As soon as I stepped out of the car, the smell of Derek’s cologne engulfed me. Before I could say anything, I felt tingles down my arm as he grabbed me gently.

“Isabella,” He whispered, making my entire body shudder. I love the way he said my full name. It just did things to me.

I turn around and came face to face with my mate.

“I want to apologize,” He said. It dumbfounded me as he waited outside my house for me just to apologize.

“I owe you an apology as well. I had no right to disrespect you like that, and I’m sorry Alpha,” I said and slightly bowed my head to him.

“Do not bow to me, Isabella. It just doesn’t look right,” He said, shaking his head.

“I guess I will see you tomorrow,” I said, not knowing what else to say.

“He apologized to you. Don’t you see how hard that was for him?” my wolf said.

“It was just as hard for me,” I shot back to her.

“He also told you not to bow to him, which means he is accepting you as his equal,” She snarled back.

Before I opened the screen door he said, “Isabella sweet dreams,” making me shiver. I stumbled and almost fell on the steps. He ran up and caught me, and I could barely keep a moan from escaping my lips.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

I realized he was waiting for an answer, so I nodded my head. He sat me down on the top stoop.

“I guess I just lost my balance,” I said, catching my breath.

“Can I ask you something?” He said

“Sure,” I told him.

“How was your date?” he said, as he looked up at me, his eyes penetrating mine.

“It wasn’t a date. I really did just show him around town. He’s new here,” I said.

“Do you like him?” He asked me, almost in a whisper.

“Yes, he is a nice guy, but he is not my mate,” I said.

He leaned forward and stroked his finger below my lips. I stifled a moan as my knees went weak. When he drew his thumb away, I noticed the glitter from my lip-gloss and knew what he was doing. My lip-gloss must have somehow smeared when Max kissed me, and he must have somehow seen it when the porch light reflected on my face. It embarrassed me. He’s being so nice, and I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m not either,” he said sadly.

“Derek...,” I almost told him right there, but he interrupted me. I was glad too. I don’t know what is going on here.

“Isabella, would you ever consider going on a date with me?” He asked me. I’m breathless. Did he just ask me on a date? Did he really have feelings for me? I like this side of him; hell if I’m honest I liked all of him. “I know I’m not your mate, but I just... Please, just one date,” He said.

“Yes. I will go on a date with you,” I said. Maybe this could work out. I never gave him a chance, at least this way I would know. I only wanted to fall in love and have someone love me for me, not because of a bond.

“How about tomorrow?” he asked.

“I thought we needed to do a training plan,” I teased.

“We will another day; I will pick you up at seven p.m.?” He asked.

I nodded my head, afraid to speak. I got a date! A date with my mate. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I waved goodbye to him and went inside. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.