The Alphas Fated Mate

So Her Friend Knows

Liam watched as Aria left the room, intending to follow her, when her friend intercepted him. "Not so fast, Alpha!" Her expression hardened, and her eyes narrowed. "Daddy warned me the big bad wolf was in town searching for his little red riding hood." Liam should have known Mr. Harris would warn Bon, but his mind had been too preoccupied to consider the possibility. He turned to face her, knowing he might as well get this one-sided talk over with now.

She leaned forward, whispering,

'When I finally do shift, I’ll have to teach this girl about self-preservation around wolf shifters. You’d think these people would realize it’s not safe to challenge an Alpha; I can rip this weak girl’s heart out before she could blink twice. Not that I will, of course, but geez, a little respect would be nice.'

"Yes, I know what you want with my best friend and exactly what you are. I also know how dangerous you are, but if you hurt my friend or let her be hurt in any way, you will be held accountable by me and my gun . I can very easily make some silver bullets to shoot your hairy behind with, so watch your step, Wolf!" Liam acknowledged that considering her weak was an understatement, but it made his heart happy to know his mate had friends like Bon. He locked eyes with her, hoping his message would come across, and silently promised to keep Aria safe with a nod of his head. The harshness in her face eased back to its normal soft features, and she nodded back. "How about this dress, Bon? No denim in sight," Aria asked, walking back into the kitchen wearing a soft green sun dress that fell just above her knees.

It brought out the green in her hazel eyes, and if Liam were in his human form, he'd probably drop to his knees begging to touch those long, silky smooth legs that he couldn't take his eyes off of. Bon got up and circled Aria, taking in the dress from all angles, then said, "Well, it’s pretty simple, but with the right accessories, it could work. Come on, let's go find a belt." She grabbed Aria's hand and proceeded to drag her back in the direction of Aria’s room. Figuring they’d like some privacy, Liam pushed open the screen door and made his way to the woods. He had to come up with a plan on how to reveal his true self to his mate and soon, and he thought best when he was running in his four-legged form. Sitting on her bed with her legs crossed at the ankles, Aria asked, “Is a belt really necessary?” Bon was tearing through her closet, throwing its contents all over the floor.

“We’ve already gone over this, a belt could make that dress perfect! I know you have just the right one, I bought it for you two Christmases ago. I just have to find the darn thing. You didn’t get rid of it, did you?” Aria assured her that she hadn't. "Oh, I think I found it. It’s stuck. Ugh!" Bon yanked hard on the end of the belt she was holding, then fell backwards onto her butt and screamed, “I got it!” "Well, that’s good. Are you going to help me clean up this mess you made?" Standing up, Bon surveyed the mess she’d made of Aria’s once clean room.

“I’ll come over tomorrow and help you clean it up, but right now you need to stand up so we can try this on with your dress.”

Aria protested, “Bon, I’m going to look silly wearing a dress to the lake.”

“It’s just a cotton sun dress, it practically screams wear me to a lake party. Now stand up.” Sliding off the bed, Aria groaned, “Why are we friends again?” “If you didn’t have me, you’d probably be walking around in boring old jeans and t-shirts all the time.

I add a bit of style to your life, and though you complain about it, I know deep down you love that about our friendship. Just like I love that you add a little bit of country to mine. So hush up and put this belt on.”

She threw the belt at Aria with a smile on her face. Putting the belt on, Aria admitted, “Okay, that’s true. I do love you. So how does it look?” Scrunching up her brow and rubbing her chin, Bon looked her over, then said, “Add in those brown cowboy boots you own, and it’ll be perfect!” “So what are you wearing?”

“What I have on.” Taking in her jean skirt, peach-colored tank top, and sandals, Aria protested,

“Not fair! You’re wearing a jean skirt.”

“So? I look cute, don’t I?” Bon asked, checking herself out in the mirror on Aria’s closet door. “You look good, but you said no jean material.”

“I said YOU couldn’t wear jeans, not me. I don’t need to change up my outfit routine; you, on the other hand, needed an outfit overhaul.” Throwing herself back onto the bed, Aria complained, “So not fair.” Sitting down next to her and fiddling with the edge of her comforter, Bon said, “You’ll get over it. So how are things going with Liam?”

“Good, I feel calmer since he’s been here. I know this might sound weird, but I talk to him like he’s a human, and Bon, I’d swear he understands me.”

“I don’t think it sounds weird, Blu. So are you thinking about keeping him around?” “I don’t think I could get rid of him if I wanted to.

He seems to have attached himself to my side.”

“That’s an understatement. Does he even give you alone time to bathe?” She asked, giggling.

“Hey, he’s not always with me. He’s not here now!”

“The only reason he’s not is because we drove him away with our girly talk of clothes.”

“Bon, you do realize we’re talking about Liam like he’s some guy I’m dating.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she replied.

“Honestly, I think if it came down to me having to choose between him and a real boyfriend, I’d choose Liam,” Aria confessed. “That makes sense.”

Confused, Aria turned to her and asked, “How so? I’m starting to think I’m losing touch with reality. You might have to commit me.” She quietly watched out Aria's bedroom window for a few minutes, then finally spoke, “Aria, there’s something I think I need to tell you about Liam.”

“What is it?”

“He …” She was cut off by the sound of Liam howling outside. Aria ran to the back door, worrying he was hurt, but found him okay, pawing at the back door. Coming up behind her, Bon asked, “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, he must have got out the screen door and wanted back in. He’s fine. So what was it you wanted to tell me about him?” Aria asked, running her hands through the fur on the back of Liam’s neck.

She watched Liam intently as she replied, “Oh um … just that you should probably give him a bath.

He’s starting to smell ripe.” “Really? I think he smells wonderful. Like the trees after a storm, all fresh and woodsy,” Aria said, leaning down into his neck to take in his scent. “Wow! Did you just smell him like you would a bouquet of flowers? You seriously have been cooped up with that dog too long. I think it’s time we head to the lake; you need some more human-to-human interaction. People should be getting there by now anyways,” she said, rolling her eyes at Aria.