A Mate for the Beta: (5 page)

“Really?
  I’m surprised I’ve never seen you around here before.”  He looked down thoughtfully, how could he have missed her?

Probably because I
’m a chicken who runs in the opposite direction to you
.  She shrugged.  “No idea, I’m probably not that noticeable.”  A hint of hurt entered her voice.

“That’s not true. 
Not at all.”  He said a little more forcefully than he intended.  He checked himself and strained to be gentler.  “I noticed you sat in here from all the way over on the library steps...” 
Oh shit
.  He practically admitted that he purposefully came into the Diner because of her.

He held his breath waiting for her response.

She frowned.  “You were in the library?  I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in there.  Do you read much?”

He exhaled softly, pleased that she had focussed on that.

He rubbed his hand over his jaw.  He had stubble, probably a couple of days old.  While it would look unkempt on other men it just added to his rough handsomeness.  She winced as she had an irrational urge to ask him to rub his chin over her shoulder.

“I just wanted a word with
Terri, I rarely go in.  I’m sorry to say I’m not much of a reader.”  But the thought of a long winter night, the two of them on his couch, his head cradled in her lap while she read a book to him was certainly enticing.

“What do you usually do in your spare time?”
  She almost wished she hadn’t asked that, it sounded like she was trying to turn the meal into a date.

He was surprised but
pleased at the direction the meal had taken, however he couldn’t tell if she was just being polite or if she was truly interested in getting to know him. “Running, hunting, working out.  I don’t really have that much free time with being the Sheriff and my duties as a Beta.  How about you?”

“Well other than reading I like cooking
and you may not believe this,” she glanced down at her rounded figure, “but I love hiking.”

His eyes tracked down alighting on her breasts.
  They darkened with desire.  His visible reaction made her nipples harden.  She crossed her arms so he couldn’t see them.

“Why wouldn’t I believe you? 
What do you like to cook?”  He changed the subject before she could say something else about her body.  For one thing he didn’t like hearing her put herself down, but also if she drew attention to her breasts again he may not be able to control his wolf. 
The urge to mate with her was only getting stronger with every passing moment.

She relaxed a little.  “
Anything really, I usually just make what I like.  I love Italian, my favourite is spaghetti and meatballs.  I love baking too.  But then I love cake, oh and cookies.”
Obviously by the size of my thighs she thought bitterly. 
“What about you?” 
Or does one of your girlfriends do all your cooking? 

“I don’t mind cooking but usually I just grab something quick
and easy.  If I want a big meal I eat out.  We used to have a lot of pack meals when Adam’s mother was alive.”  He smiled at the memory of Louisa Grey.  “Dinner was an event in that woman’s house.  Hasn’t been the same since she died, maybe it will change when Adam takes a mate.  I can’t remember the last time I had a real home cooked meal.” 

The words tumbled out before she could stop them.  “Maybe I could cook for you sometime...” 

“That’d be nice.”  He said quickly.

Their eyes locked and...
Dennis chose to bring their food and drinks over.  The moment was lost, Liv looked away. 
Shit
.

Dennis
didn’t look Alec in the eye and tried to avoid looking at Liv altogether for which Alec was glad.  If the boy had done anything else even remotely annoying Alec was certain he would have punched him.

Alec looked down at his food with some distaste.  He really didn’t like the look of it.
  Liv was digging into hers, making the most charming little moans.  His cock stirred.

He needed a distraction.  Reluctantly he started
eating, at least if it tasted awful it would dampen his lust. 
He hoped
.

It wasn’t
bad, in fact it was surprisingly good.

They ate
in silence, both concentrating on their food.  It was never uncomfortable.  Neither felt the need to fill the void with mindless chatter, each just enjoyed being near the other.  If Alec didn’t know better he would swear his wolf was purring with contentment at that moment.

“That was delicious.” 
Declared Alec when they had finished.

Liv
was surprised to see that they finished at the same time, despite Alec having twice as much food.  She sipped her tea.  “You sound shocked.”

He rubbed the back of his head.  “First time I’ve ever been in here and not just ordered a burger.  I only ordered that because of you.
  Nice to try something new.”

She giggled and his cock stirred
again at the sweet sound. 
Think unsexy thoughts...
  “Glad I could be of service.”
She wasn’t making it easy...

Dennis collected their empty plates.  “Can I get you anything else?”

Liv smiled.  “Not for me thank you and please tell Deedee that it was delicious.”

The bobcat was about to return the smile but seeing the hard look on Alec’s face he changed his mind.  “And you Sheriff?”  He asked quaveringly.

“Nothing for me.  Just the check.  Please.”

Dennis bustled off.  “I really ought to get back to work.”  He told her
unenthusiastically.

He was heartened to note that she looked a little downcast at ending their lunch.
  “I should get going too.  I... I had a nice time.”  She blushed and continued talking before he could reply to that.  “Shall we split the check fifty fifty?”

“No.”  He practically growled at her.

She raised her eyebrows at the harsh tone.

“I mean, I ate more than you, it’s not fair that we should split it.  I’ll pay the check.”

She was uncomfortable that he felt he had to pay for her.  She worried that she was forcing him into treating this like a date.  “At least let me pay for mine though.”

Dennis left them the check and
Alec snatched at it.  “No, I insist.  If you want to, think of it as a birthday dinner.”

Her face lit up.  “
Oh that’s really nice thank you.”

His heart twisted that she thought that a cheap chicken
kiev made for a nice birthday.  She deserved more, he wanted to show her much she was worth.  He would, every day for the rest of their lives. 
He just had to break the news that they were mates.

He paid for their meal and waited patiently while she collected her things together.
  He led her out the diner, his hand lightly touching her back.  Electric jolts shot through her directly to her sex.

They stood
outside awkwardly, neither really wanting to say goodbye.

“Thank you again for lunch.”

“You’re very welcome.” 

Liv
beamed at him and his face lit up.  Her heart fluttered. 
Did he feel something for her?

His wolf prowled in his mind, pushing him, urging him to
claim his mate. 
Yes, yes he would tell her.  Admit to her that she was his mate.  He needed to tell her right now. 
“I need to tell you something...“  He stopped talking and tensed. 

“Alec!
”  Carried strode towards them, she swayed her hips exaggeratedly.  “Where’ve you been?  Everyone at the station was wondering.”  Carrie asked with fake sweetness, pretending she hadn’t noticed Liv.  “Oh by the way I still have one of your t-shirts at my place, I must remember to bring it in for you, unless you want to just leave it there?”

“Carrie!”  Alec’s voice was low and dangerous.

Carrie ignored him and swung a malicious gaze in Liv’s direction.  Slowly she looked Liv up and down a look of derision on her face.  “New girlfriend?  Hard to keep track, seems like you’re with a different woman every other day, each one easier than the last...”

Liv
had paled but when she heard the vicious words she couldn’t help herself.  “Is that you admitting that you’re easy?”  Squeaked Liv, her voice trembling. 

Carrie looked at
Liv with hatred as her cheeks pinked with rage.  Carrie had been certain that Alec would eventually come back to her.  As time passed that certainty was wavering and the way he had looked at this girl...  he looked smitten.  Carrie was so much better looking than her, and had a much better body.  She was gorgeous and she knew it, and so did all the other men in Rose.  Alec seemed to think so too at one time but then his ardour for her had cooled.

The two of them had enjoyed absolutely fantastic sex and they even found things to talk about that didn’t entirely bore her.  She was more than willing to move into his house and help with his pack duties.  As the mate of the Beta she would have no problem giving those other
wolves orders.  Who knows, with her help maybe he could work his way up to Alpha.  She’d be the perfect mate. 
Why did Alec not see that?
 

Alec spoke lowly but firmly, “Carrie, you’re out of line.”

Carrie looked at him in wonder.  Why was he reproaching her?  Why didn’t he say anything to the blonde bitch?  That woman had no right to speak that way to the future Alpha female of the pack.

Carrie sneered at
Liv.  “This one Alec?  Really?  You’re actually fucking this fat little girl?”

Carrie almost fainted at the sound of the roar that resounded from Alec.  In a flash Alec stood before her, eyes blazing and claws extended.  He was breathing heavily.  “Carrie.  You’re. 
Fired.  Don’t. Come.  Back.”

A number of
passers by, and people in the Diner, had not failed to hear the roar and were watching the exchange eagerly.  Carrie looked round trying to find support from someone. 
Anyone
.  She was met with stony faces. 

Alec looked round at
Liv.  She was trying to melt into the wall of the Diner.  He hoped because of Carrie and not because she was scared of him, but even if he wanted to he couldn’t possibly rein his wolf in any further right now.

Carrie tried to put her hand on his arm, and lowered her voice seductively.  “Please Alec...”

He shook her away.  “No Carrie, your behaviour is unacceptable.  You need to leave.”

She looked between Alec’s stormy face and
Liv’s embarrassed one before stamping her foot and striding away with as much dignity as she could muster.  Now that the show had ended people started drifting back to what they were doing before.

Alec still shook slightly with rage.  “Are you okay?”
   

He asked her so softly that
Liv almost thought she had imagined it.  She looked into his eyes and nodded.  Of course she was okay. 
The world could be ending and she’d be okay if Alec was with her
. 

Alec wanted to kick something, he was actually making progress with his mate and now one vindictive bitch had ruined it.

“Liv I’m sorry...”

“Alec?”  Jake, one of his Deputies came up to them.

“Goddamnit what?”  Bellowed Alec.

“I have to go.” 
Said Liv quickly.  Before Alec could protest Liv gave him a half hearted wave and walked away quickly.  His wolf howled in dismay. 
Fuck
. 

*

Liv barely concentrated on the road.  The scene outside the Diner playing over and over again in her head on a loop.

She felt humiliated.  For a second she had allowed herself
to believe that he wanted to spend time with her, that they had a future.  Then the reality of the situation had all come crashing down.

Leggy, beautiful
Carrie
.  Carrie was closer to his own age, closer to his own height too and a lot sexier than herself.  She was exactly the kind of woman Alec went for. 
So why would he want a short frumpy witch when he could have someone like her?

True Alec had
n’t allowed Carrie to get away with her hurtful words, she doubted the two of them would ever be together again, but Carrie just told the truth. 
And the truth hurt
.

She was parked and jumping out of Emerald’s car, which she had begged to borrow, before
Liv really realised what she was doing.  She’d driven all the way to her friend Agatha’s house without even registering anything. 
Thank heavens she hadn’t come across any animals on the road!

Agatha was a fellow witch, and like
Liv, her powers centred on making things grow.  Agatha was elderly and struggling with arthritis but refused to move to the boarding house, stating she would never be dictated to by Emerald Cole. 
No one really blamed her.
  Agatha didn’t have any family so Liv made an effort to visit her as often as possible.