Stealing the Alpha’s Heart

I rewatched a video of Lyssa playing with Parker and Emmaline in our pack’s running territory, all three in their wolf forms. Seeing her being her true self felt so good that I could float away on the waves of contentment washing over me.

Finally, after so much time working for it, my mate was fully initiated into our pack, freed from the curse that had blocked her from her people.

I knew more trouble was on the horizon, especially with the witch, Sarah, and whoever she was working for. But those were on the back burner for the moment. Lyssa deserved at least a week or two to celebrate her new connection to her inner wolf and adjust to her enhanced senses.

Putting my phone away, I got out of my car and headed toward Emmaline’s shop. Lyssa was there checking out a customer, as professional as always.

“Hey there, handsome,” she said, grinning broadly as the customer left.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” I answered right back. Goodness, I loved that woman, from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. Incredible.

“What’s the occasion for the visit?”

I gave her a hug and a k!ss before answering, taking a deep breath. Goodness, she smelled even more incredible than before, which should have been impossible.

“I’m going to a meeting tonight for some leads on who Sarah worked for and missing wolves business. I wanted to make sure that you’d be okay.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. Emmaline and I will grab dinner and head to her place for a little slumber party.”

Not for the first time, I was incredibly grateful for my sister. Without her, I don’t know what I would have done, and I definitely wouldn’t have felt safe leaving Lyssa behind.

“That sounds amazing.”

“You be careful too, okay?” Lyssa said, reaching across the checkout counter to gently squeeze my hand.

“For you, always,” I answered, meaning every word.

She gave me another blinding smile, and I couldn’t resist k!ssing her again. I didn’t think that would ever get old. I could be eighty and still locking l!ps with my mate like we were teenagers.

But when the bell at the front of the shop rang, we parted, and I supposed I had to leave her to do her job.

“Love you,” I said, giving her a little wave on my way out.

“Love you,” she responded just as warmly, sending me floating to my car.

I didn’t want to leave for the meeting, especially such a depressing one. But I would do whatever I needed to protect my mate, my pack, and every other innocent magic person I could.

A storm was coming and I was going to be ready for it.