SEDUCED BY THE ALPHA’S MATE

The Chase Sat

Grabbing her black shoulder bag and keys, she made a run for the car. Surprisingly, it took her less time than she thought to get to it. She floored it when she saw d**k’s front door opening.

She looked in her rearview mirror and caught him standing in the middle of the street, watching her car speed away.

She’d stop at Tryx’s Bakery on her way to Julia’s house; otherwise, she’d find herself with one angry wolf.

Tryx’s shop was an absolute delight of yumminess. There were cakes, cookies, truffles, pastries, assorted specialties, and of course, Tryx’s signature chocolate mousse cake. She only made that by request. Everything was displayed to make the customer want to try it all.

Sophia walked in and was instantly surrounded by enough sweets to give her dentist work for at least six months. Every time she walked into the shop, Sophia was sure she’d gone down the rabbit hole.

“Sophia!” Tryx grinned and came around the counter. As the only female in the alpha family, River and Chase’s cousin was thrilled to have Julia keep her company. Her short, spiky hair feathered over her face with a couple of blonde, pink, and blue strands, making her look like a little pixie. She wasn’t very tall for a shifter, only about two inches over Sophia’s own five-foot-three frame. She was slimmer than Sophia and Julia by a good twenty pounds.

Tryx hugged her tightly and then lifted her head, narrowing her eyes. “What?” Sophia asked at the strange expression on Tryx’s face.

Tryx gave her a look as if she were stinking up the place. She hoped she’d put on enough deodorant and didn’t smell funky. She’d had to stop wearing body spray to keep her sister’s new, sensitive shifter senses from complaining over the strong scent.

“You smell weird.” Tryx wrinkled her nose and sniffed Sophia’s shoulder.

Sophia took a tentative step back to put space between herself and the other woman’s frown. “Um, oh, that. You see, I got this dress dry-cleaned, and they told me they mixed it with someone’s stuff by mistake, so I think you might smell the other person. I think they were a shifter, too.

“Anyhow, do you have that cake? I don’t want to disappoint Julia with as busy as she’s been lately.”

After another sniff, Tryx’s brow smoothed and she smiled at Sophia. “Of course. I would never want to see my beautiful new cousin angry. It’s all ready, and I’ve added a bag of cookies just for you.”

She strode to the counter and picked up a white bakery box and a bag. Both were closed and tied with pink and gold ribbon, the shop’s signature colors.

After she handed Sophia the box, Tryx stared into her eyes for what felt like an eternity, then gave her a soft, warm smile.

Completely sure there must have been something wrong with the water, Sophia was glad to get out from under Tryx’s scrutiny. Not to mention she could smell the cookies in the bag, and her mouth was starting to water. She was sure if she didn’t eat one soon, she’d drool on her dress.

She turned to face the door and almost jumped out of her skin. Five men stood there scrutinizing her. She staggered back with a thread of unease. s**t, hadn’t these guys ever heard of moving to the side to let a lady pass? Or at the very least not blocking the frigging door?

Tryx jumped in front of Sophia and urged her back. Sophia stared at the other woman’s back as Tryx took an aggressive stance.

Growling, Tryx unleashed her claws. The male faces were tense. The men stood rigid, as though they wanted to start a fight with her or turn the woman into puppy chow. It made no sense.

The she-wolf snarled loudly and two of her big male assistants came out of the back, jumped over the glass counter and were ready to help the angry Tryx.

Sophia wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was grateful when the men walked out the door, even if they did so reluctantly.

She was about to give the pixie wolf her thanks but was cut off before she even started.

“We’ll walk you outside, Sophia. Can you just do me a favor? You’re not stopping anywhere before you go to Julia’s house, right?”

Tryx was obviously worried for her.

“No. This was my one stop. After this, it’s straight to her place.” She hoped her response had reassured the wolf sprite. Her stomach cramped, and her eyes darted to the cake box. The sharp needling pain reminded her she’d yet to eat, and damn it all, she was hungry.

“Is Chase going to be there?” Tryx looked hopeful.

“Um, I guess. As far as I know, I think it’s just the four of us.” She didn’t really feel comfortable talking about Chase. The thought of him made her hot and bothered, not a good thing as far as she was concerned. That line of thinking was hopeless. Chase was known for his discerning taste.

Picky was his middle name. Sophia had seen one of his girlfriends and was sure the woman came off the cover of For Him Magazine. Only the sexiest feminine bodies in the planet graced that cover. Green with jealousy, Sophia had visualized doing horrible things like calling in Father Dominico and saying the girl was a hooker in need of salvation.

Tryx looked her straight in the eyes. “Promise me that even if Chase isn’t there, you’ll have Julia call him over. He’ll know why once he gets there.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Just promise, okay?” Tryx had gone from cute to way-out-there bizarre, but Sophia supposed it was best to just nod and get the heck out of there before somebody else acted weird.

After agreeing to Tryx’s demands, Sophia was safely on the road again, munching on the distracting cookies. She wondered what the hell was wrong with everybody. Not herself—she knew she had a few screws loose. It was what made her so good at being alone too long.

CHASE SAT in one of the lounge chairs by his brother’s pool with a cold beer in his grasp. He’d just walked out of the cool water and had to admit he was actually having a good time. Of course, Julia had yet to do one of her Oscar-worthy performances, but it was still early.

It was clear summer had arrived by the presence of the high temperatures, the smell of barbecued meat, and the uncovered pool ready for use. Every few minutes, Julia would bring out more food to the side table they had set up. What was she feeding, an army?

Granted, he and his brother could eat, but she’d made enough food for twenty. His stomach grumbled in complaint, letting him know he was easily able to eat enough food for twenty.

Julia was really excited about the news she was going to share with Sophia and him. Of course, he knew what the news was. His keen sense of smell detected the change in her the minute she’d conceived, but he’d kept his mouth shut. Women were strange about being pregnant, having babies… and weddings.

A car pulled up in the front, a door opened, and a soft voice called, “Jules, I’m here.” His gut clenched. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Sophia had arrived, and the wolf that had been lying dormant inside him lifted its head in sudden interest. She came around the side of the yard straight to the back. She was wearing a short-sleeve wrap dress that showed off her curvy body.

He frowned when he saw long, loose brown curls hugging her shoulders. He knew the last time he’d seen her it had been cropped to her jaw line. Her glasses were also missing.

Knowing she could barely see without them, he found that strange. Julia had said Sophia didn’t like contacts—they irritated her eyes since she worked such long hours. But it seemed she must be wearing them.

She carried a white box in her hands, and the minute she saw him, she stopped midstride. He watched her nostrils flare and her eyes brighten to a molten gray when she took in his wet and barely-clothed state.

He tightened his stomach muscles in a conscious effort to keep her gaze on his body. His d**k hardened at her perusal of his physique, and when her tongue darted out to lick her lips, he got the impression she liked what she saw.

Interesting.

Would it be too much if he walked over, grabbed her hand, and placed it on his aching c**k? Yeah, it might seem somewhat depraved and give her the wrong impression…or it might give her the right impression—that he was so hard for her, he couldn’t f*****g think straight.

SOPHIA STOPPED WALKING the minute she caught sight of Chase lying on a lounger like an erotic, half-naked s*x god. His skin was wet from having been in the pool, and it glistened with a healthy bronze glow.

She took a moment to stare at the only man that made her babble and left her tongue-tied at the same time. Overwhelming, lust-filled heat invaded her body. Fascination seized hold. She watched drops of water crawl slowly down his muscular torso and cling to his n*****s.

Oh good Lord, help me not attack this man and tear those shorts off that sexy ass.