A sirene mate for the Alpha

The naked truth

*Zayan*

Unloading their plethora of possessions takes longer than expected. But once inside, I steal a moment to exchange a few words with Calix, despite the irritation he sparks within me. It is both his attitude, and something in his scent, something not human.

I tell him that they're welcome to use the luxury tents I have out back tonight… it will be much easier for them to get assistance in the morning.

“Have you seen my phone?” I ask JZ, stepping into the living room, my eyes scanning the area.

He shakes his head, casual. “No, not since your shower.”

“Hmm, I might have left it in my room then.” I pivot on my heel to retreat.

“Hey Zayan,” JZ calls after me, a hint of caution in his tone. “Lee is using your shower, so don’t just balk in, okay?”

I toss him a nod to acknowledge I have heard.

I trail down to my bedroom, the door ajar, the sound of water flowing from the bathroom. Lee must be there. No harm in checking for my phone on the nightstand, I reason.

Stepping into the room, my movement halts abruptly. Lee is there, naked with his back turned to me. “s**t sorry, man, I didn’t mean to...” My voice trails off when I spot the earbuds. He can’t hear me. I'm speaking to the void.

I know I should just go, leave… definitely not stand here and stare. But I feel paralyzed and then I realize to my own shock that my body is very unexpectedly responding to the sight in front of me. My wolf is bursting in my head, trying to tell me what I do not want to hear.

What the? No wait, I am not attracted to men, at all, never even thought about it. Not that I have a problem with it, it’s just not for me… so what the f**k is happening? He can’t be my mate… I can’t have a teenage boy for a mate, no matter how well shaped his legs are.

He bends down and several things hit me simultaneously… he has really long hair and his skin looks oddly hairless and smooth, even for a teenage boy… also his scent engulfing me is off, way off… it is not that of a teenage boy.

Then he pulls up red lace panties… wait what? and turns around, his... no wait, her breasts bounces slightly. Oh bingo Zayan, Lee is a girl... an absolutely stunning girl who is staring at you like you are some freak.

My shock is palpable. "Oh wow... you are her... you're not a boy." The words clumsily tumble out of my mouth, making me sound inept.

She scrambles to shield herself, her voice raised… likely the earbuds, or perhaps it's just that I stand here gawking like an i***t. "For heaven's sake, Zayan... I'm naked here!"

"Yeah... sorry, I mistook you for a teenage boy... wait, that came out wrong. I mean, I didn't realize you were... nope, that's not better either, sorry." Her slim frame catches my eye, particularly the striking elegance of her long, well-sculpted legs.

"Get out, you creep... leave now!" she bellows, and I pivot sharply, nearly stumbling as I bolt from the room.

I collapse into a kitchen chair, trying to regain composure. A relief washes over me… thank goodness she's not a boy. The thought of having a sudden attraction to teenage boys, or worse, being mated to one, sends a shiver down my spine.

But her legs, they linger in my mind... No, Zayan, she may be female, but she's still a teenager. I can't be one of those Alphas who lusts after youth, certainly not that young.

And yet, her figure was undeniably striking.

Dragging a hand down my face, I exhale slowly. Yes, I've seen her unclothed, and yes, it was unexpectedly entrancing... and it’s been some time... but no, this is not the moment to lose myself in base thoughts. What’s needed is a sincere apology, a proper one.

*Hadley*

I pull on the rest of my clothes. Great, so Zayan just saw me naked, with my ass in the air... Well, at least the cat's out of the bag; he knows I'm not a boy.

Maybe it was a bit much, screaming at him like that, but he caught me off guard, and it was pretty embarrassing, too.

As soon as I walk out, now wearing leggings and a soft plaid shirt, he stands up, clearly having waited in the kitchen. “I am so sorry, Hadley. I heard the water running and assumed... that Lee was still in the shower. I also apologize for acting weird; honestly, I was just shocked... not that you look shocking... you look good. God, I mean... Okay, I’ll stop talking now... sorry."

"Zayan... it’s okay," I say. It's clear he is sincere and a bit disoriented. I know he didn't realize I was there. "I was filling the sink to soak my hoodie; I got some grime on it in the crash."

"I promise I wasn't staring... in a creepy way, I mean," he sighs, running a hand over his face. "I honestly am not some p*****t. I was just surprised because... well, I didn’t expect to see you there, and I genuinely thought you were... like a 14-year-old boy, which was really weird for me because I... Okay, I'm stopping now."

I step up to him, placing my hand on his chest. "You really ramble a lot, but it's kind of cute when you do."

"Uh, thanks, I think," he says, looking at my hand. Yeah, okay, I know I probably shouldn’t be flirting with him. I mean, he must be at least thirty or something, but he really is handsome, and he looks so cute being all flustered... and I feel this pull towards him that I can’t explain, like he makes me feel safe.

Okay, I know it's bad... really bad. But there's something about him that's so enticing. I want to know more about him. My hand slides up over his shoulder and down to squeeze one of those magnificent biceps. "So there really wasn't much padding in that costume after all."

He takes my hand, gently removing it, his eyes catching mine… they are soft, friendly, and a bit worried. "Hadley... you are a sweet girl, but a girl nonetheless. I mean, you are what... like eighteen...?"

"Nineteen... I am nineteen," I mumble, warmth spreading through my arm from where he is touching me.

"Nineteen, then... You're a teenager; you shouldn't be flirting with grown men," his forehead scrunches in concern. "Do you even know how old I am?"

I shrug… don't think I'm some kind of... flirty or... easy girl. I'm not. I rarely flirt and have not been with anyone besides Calix. "Uh, like thirty or something?"

"You're flattering me, but thanks. I think the grays are starting to speak for themselves, though." He releases my hand. "Hadley, I am thirty-nine. I'll be turning forty in the fall. I'm more than twice your age. I could be your father... so... I'm far too old for you, and you are definitely too young for me… way too young."

His words twist my stomach into a painful knot. "I'm not a kid, you know."

"Oh, I know..." The words escape him slightly breathless, prompting me to look up. Something odd flashes through his eyes, but then he offers a soft smile. "But it doesn’t change the fact that, compared to me, you kind of are."

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable." I bite my lip, not wanting to humiliate myself further.

He graces me with the most brilliant smile. "No problem, sweetie. By the way, I told Calix that you guys can stay here until tomorrow, and he accepted. I have some luxury tents out back. I hope that's okay with you?"

"Sounds great, honestly." Relief washes over me at the thought of not having to board another bus tonight or going to a hotel with Calix. "Thanks, Zayan."

"You're welcome, darling." He drapes an arm around my shoulder, guiding me toward the living room. "Friends?"

I nod, leaning slightly against him, my arm slipping around his waist. "Friends."