The Alpha's Other Woman by Vielle Nye (read a book .txt) 📗

The smile I returned was wide with all the affection I had for him. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out to his favourite car. We drove in companionable silence for a while before he slid his hand up my thigh and started massaging it while he drove.

“It's not too late to turn back, Dane," I pointed out with a suggestive smile.

"No, I want to try this place out. I've heard it's good." Even though he smiled, it was obvious by his firm tone that his mind was set.

He squeezed my leg a bit higher, and warmth pooled in me. He was such a tease. But I liked that.

"If you say so.”

"I'm hoping you'll like it, too," he said.

"How could I not?"

We talked about our day as we drove into the city, making comments filled with affectionate innuendo. Dane pulled into the parking lot and parked smoothly, demonstrating his skill as a practiced driver. He walked around to open my door for me, giving me a long drawn out kiss after he helped me to my feet. I leaned towards him until he broke our kiss again.

“Better go. We’ve got reservations,” he said, holding out his arm to me.

We entered the elegant restaurant, light ambient music playing in the background as the host led us to our seats, in a private area tucked into the corner of the restaurant. Large windows looked out onto a green space beyond that my wolf appreciated. After looking at the menus we both ordered steak like the stereotypical werewolves we were.

We chatted and laughed throughout our meal. When we were done eating, he smiled and said, “I pre-ordered us dessert, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not,” I laughed. He knew I wasn’t very fussy when it came to food—as long as it was mostly healthy, I didn’t mind indulging from time to time.

“Did you know it’s the three-year anniversary of the day I finally convinced you to be with me?” he asked.

“Really? I thought we counted from our first date?”

"No, we count from when you finally agreed."

I smirked at him playfully. "That's not how I count it."

"You're so stubborn," he said, but there was no criticism in his tone.

"Isn't that why you chose me?"

"In part, Care."

"Oooh, so mysterious."

"You're gorgeous, but you know that."

I simply smiled. I had never lacked for male attention, but I enjoyed none of it as much as I enjoyed his.

The waiter brought out a couple of slices of chocolate cake. I scooped a forkful to my mouth, when a glint caught my eye. I looked towards the decorative rosettes on the edge of my piece, and saw...

"A ring?" My heart pounded.

I met Dane's eyes and found him watching me. He was smiling fondly. I picked the ring up from where it lay, surprisingly not at all sticky from the set icing.

"You're the mate that I wish that the moon goddess had picked for me. Will you marry me?"

A little inhuman and unwolflike sound of surprise left my mouth at his words. He waited expectantly, his steady gaze on me. He was not kneeling, but only a fool would ever expect that sort of behaviour from an alpha, and I just didn’t care.

Finally, I found my voice. "Yes. Yes, I will."

He was up and caught me into his arms, his mouth on mine and the steel of his body against the softness of my own. I might have been crying for joy.

My head was so wildly spinning with euphoria that I barely noticed when we left the restaurant and we pulled up to a hotel. "I thought we could have a night completely to ourselves, away from pack and responsibilities. Just you and me," he said wickedly, revealing a small suitcase in the trunk that he must have packed before I could protest that I didn't have anything along with me.

I gave up and did what he wanted, which was easy because I wanted to. He led me into the hotel and up to our room, and the moment the door closed behind us the bags dropped to the floor and his hands were on me. He slipped me out of my dress before meeting my mouth with his own, and I welcomed the intrusion, pulling at his buttons with my hands between us, and then running my fingers along the ridges of his muscles.

His hands found my breasts and caressed them, and then he carried me to the bed, stripping us both naked and claiming what he wanted from me and giving what I wanted in return. I revelled in my happiness with him.

Who knew where our mates were, or if they were still alive, or even if we had mates at all? Could anyone even prove that every wolf had a mate? Some went their entire lives without finding their so-called destiny.

I had made my choice and taken a chance, and I was not going to let the cruel whims of fate keep me from living it.