The Alphas Fated Mate

How do I tell her?

Liam could see into her mind and feel her emotions through their mate bond. He had listened when she told Bon what happened, but witnessing that jerk's attempted assault on her firsthand ignited his wolf's bloodlust. Though she wasn't afraid as most women would have been, her fury was directed inward, berating herself for being so foolish. She was much too hard on herself. Liam longed to make that man suffer for causing her such self-doubt. If she hadn't been right there, watching, he would have ripped the creep apart. But the last thing he wanted was to scare her away. He already worried how she'd react when he finally revealed his true self.

For a week now he'd lain beside her each night, listening to her even breaths, inhaling that sweet strawberry and cedar scent that was uniquely hers. Even now, surrounded by the smells of the lake and its inhabitants, her fragrance overpowered everything else. He could track her from miles off, as he had when he'd first caught her scent and blindly followed it into that damned trap. Since then he hadn't been able to leave her side, his heart already hers. His wolf was determined to protect their mate. His pack would laugh to see him playing pet, but he had to get to know her and find a way to disclose his and Brian's secrets before she rejected them.

Her weary thoughts whispered through his mind as she leaned into his fur. She hated confrontation; it drained her. His presence comforted her and she hoped she wouldn't see that man again, though she knew it wasn't over. Liam longed to shift forms and pull her into his arms, but that would only distress her more. So he rubbed against her, offering what little consolation he could.

She tangled her hands in his fur, and he imagined how it would feel to have her fingers laced through his hair like that, his own hands tangled in hers. Her wistful thoughts yanked him from his fantasy. Had she just said she would marry him? No, only that she wished she could find a man like him, and would marry such a man if she did. He had to chuckle at that, since she already had. Though he wished she'd stop calling him a dog. Not that he could blame her, when he was the one playing pet. He had to work up the courage he knew he possessed, and show her she already had the man she was looking for.

But how did you tell the woman you loved that her beloved "dog" was actually a man who could shift into a wolf? He could transform before her eyes so she wouldn't think him mad, but she'd probably assume she had lost her own mind.

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Aria watched the dark water of the lake, pretending not to notice the smile that had somehow grown even wider on Bon's face. "Hmm, I'd say he's a 6," Bon said lightly when Aria asked her to rate Paul's kissing abilities.

Shocked, Aria asked, "A 6 has put that smile on your face?"

"A six is a decent kiss rating," Bon insisted with a shrug.

Aria wasn't convinced. "A six is average. The smile you have should only come from a kiss that rates at least a 9 if not a perfect 10. So please explain what's causing this reaction."

Bon's smile turned wry. "I'm smiling because I've realized that all those years I crushed on him I could've had him and now I don't want him. It's funny how things work out."

Understanding dawned on Aria. "Let me get this straight. You're smiling because he wants you and you don't want him?"

"I know it sounds mean, but it feels nice to be wanted even though I know now he's not what I want."

Aria squeezed Bon's shoulder reassuringly. "Not mean, Bon. That's just the way it goes sometimes. You've had this perfect idea of what he would be like for four years and now you're just realizing he doesn't live up to the dream version of him. Plus he's been on the receiving end of being wanted for four years without stepping up, so it's about time you got your turn to feel wanted back."

Laying her head on Aria's shoulder, Bon said, "Thanks for not thinking I'm an awful person."

"Bon, I could never think that. We both know it's my job to be the mean one." Aria rested her head atop Bon's, both gazing out at the dark water.

"True. Do you remember what you did in junior high when I got my first period in gym class and you know who made fun of me? That was mean." Bon laughed at the memory.

Aria grinned wickedly. "I waited till lunch then pretended to trip and dumped my tray all over her favorite white sweater. There was no way she could've got that spaghetti stain out. But she deserved it - we girls are supposed to have each other's backs when it comes to those issues and that witch broke the girl code." Aria chuckled along with Bon, recalling how she had defended her best friend without mercy. Bon may come across as pure sunshine but cross her or threaten someone she loved, and she would burn you faster than the Florida sun in July.