The Alpha's Protective Mate

26

Robert Montgomery

This is the point I expect her to say something harsh or negative, but Aisha just sits there, trying to absorb this information. After a moment, she asks, “What is she like?”

I close my eyes briefly, relief filling me. “I was sure this would go a different way.”

Feeling her hand on my knee, I open my eyes. She’s smiling at me. “I know you, Robert. If you like this woman, there has to be a reason.”

I let out a puff of air. “She’s not part of any clan. Her family not only kicked her out, they also deregistered her. She’s been living without a clan since she was fourteen. She volunteers at an animal shelter and has a cat. She’s not like her kind. Her abilities are practically non-existent. She gets drunk very easily on human alcohol. She’s got a soft spot for animals, and she’s trying to put herself through school to become a vet. She’s very beautiful: red hair, green eyes. She’s also got a sweet smile…”

Aisha’s grin grows broader with each sentence, and when I finish, she murmurs, “You’re well on your way to falling in love with her, Robert.”

I want to deny it, but my wolf rumbles in approval at her assessment, and I fall silent.

“She sounds very special.” Aisha takes her hand in mine. “I’m happy for you.”

I try to smile, but those muscles are stiff. “But it’s not going to work, is it?”

My sister gives me a serious look. “Because of the different species?”

“Vampires and wolf shifters don’t marry or mate. It’s impossible.” I get to my feet, agitated.

“Why are you thinking so far down the line?” Aisha demands, watching me pace.

“Because she is the first woman that my wolf has become interested in, Aisha!” I burst out. “He wants her. He’s extremely possessive about her. It feels like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. On one hand, I’m responsible for this pack, and on the other, my wolf is falling all over himself wanting to be around this female vampire who will never be accepted into my pack or even my life.”

“It’s not just your wolf,” Aisha points out. “You want her as well. You describe her like a man in love would, Robert.”

“I can’t be with a vampire,” I say, my heart aching. “I can’t even consider being with one, not if I want to hold on to this pack. So, I thought I’d just be friends with her. Have her in my life in another form. But it was childish of me. Everything about her drives me crazy, Aisha. Things didn’t go the way I planned, and one thing led to another.”

Aisha’s eyes widen. “You slept with her.”

I groan, sinking onto the couch. “I lost control. She drank from me, and I let her, and then I bit her on her neck, where the mating mark is supposed to go.”

My sister is pale now. “You mated her?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think that’s how it works for those not of our species. Neither of us was very much in control. I don’t feel her inside me, so I don’t think a mating bond was formed between us.”

Aisha is silent, watching me. After a few seconds, she says quietly, “You sound disappointed.”

A broken laugh spills out of my mouth. “Don’t I, though? My wolf wants her. I want her. It’s completely illogical. I shouldn’t even be risking my position as Alpha, but here I am, wishing I could feel the mating bond with this woman I’ve known for only a few weeks.”

“Knowing you, you would have run an extensive background check on her,” Aisha murmurs. “You wouldn’t have approached her if you thought she was a threat. Do you want my opinion on this?”

I give her a wan smile. “That’s why I asked you over.”

“Follow your heart,” Aisha says gently. “I know it’s cringy advice, but Robert, nothing should ever come before the woman you love—not the pack, not your status, not power or money. This is probably not what Morris would say to you, but I will. If you think that this woman is special and that you cannot live without her, then you should fight for her. And as far as the pack accepting her is concerned, you’re the Alpha. I do understand that, right now, with the current environment being what it is, it will be hard, but you need to think about what you want to prioritize. You can fight for the woman you want, or you can choose to walk away. Either way, I will have your back. No matter what Morris or anyone else says, I’m on your side.”

My lips twitch. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” She smiles at me. “What is family for, after all? But…” her voice turns hard, “if this woman becomes a threat—”

“I’ll be the first one to get rid of her,” I say coolly.

Even if it kills me.