An Alpha's Path (5 page)

“You bit me?” Horror skirted up her arms, her neck. What did he do when she was sleeping?

“What?” Alarm and confusion blatant on his features. “No, of course I didn’t. I would never do that without your permission.”

“So you would bite me? Oh my God.” Her chest heaved. He was delusional and she was alone in a room with him.

“Mel, baby, listen to me. I would never –“

“Werewolves aren’t real.” Yes. Keep saying that. Let him know his delusions were not going to scare her away – too much. She would get him help and then leave his fine ass and be safe. Good plan.

“Then explain the claw marks, Mel. Yes, I am a werewolf. But I wouldn’t hurt you. I won’t
ever
hurt you. Werewolves do exist and we have for a long time. But I’m just like you, Mel. I breath, I eat, I love. I just happen to turn into a wolf every once and awhile.” He gave her a small smile that comforted her slightly but she was still hesitant. She couldn’t give into his dementia, could she?

Something for the previous night suddenly came back to her.

“Your eyes. I thought it was just a trick of light, but last night, they glowed didn’t they?”

Kade let out the breath he held. “I hoped you didn’t catch that. Sometimes they glow when I am aroused or letting the wolf take over. I didn’t want to scare you away last night.”

“I still don’t know if I believe you. Can you show me? Or do you have to wait for a full moon or something?” If all else failed, she was a chemist. A scientist. She needed analytical data. Proof. Melanie didn’t know if she wanted him to be able to turn into a wolf right in front of her or for him to say he couldn’t and it was just an elaborate hoax.

She pinched herself and it hurt. Nope. Not a dream. Dammit.

“No we don’t need the moon to change. We do feel its pull more the fuller it is but I can change anytime. Are you sure you want me to change? I don’t want to scare you.”

“Too late, Kade.” She said wryly. “But I don’t want to believe you. Prove it.”

“Okay.”

Sure, Kade, like anything would come of this.

Standing right before her, his bones contracted and changed, fur sprouting from beneath his skin. He crouched lower and soon there was a slighter larger form of a real wolf with dark brown fur with a strip of white down his nose.

“Shit!” She stumbled back and her legs ran into the couch behind her breaking her fall.

“Oh my God. You are a werewolf. But how? Why? What?” She could barely put rational thoughts together. The science behind such a transformation boggled her mind. How did this happen? What else was out there? This idea completely went against everything logical thing she had ever known and learned.

“Kade? Can you hear me? Do you understand me?”

The wolf - Kade – hesitantly approached her while bobbing his head up and down, like a nod.

“Can I touch you?” She raised her arm to put out her hand and Kade came up and let her fingers run in his fur. It was course but with a soft undercoat. She rubbed his head for a few minutes and then sat back against the couch.

Kade went back to the edge of the bed and changed back to human form.

His skin took a slightly sweaty sheen, as if he had been running but other than that he looked the same.

“Does it hurt?”

“Only slightly, but I was born this way so I am used to it. Those who are changed say it hurts more at first. But over time they get used to it and the pain recedes. I can’t change too often or I run out of energy though.”

“Is it still you when you are a wolf? Did you hear me?”

“I can always hear you and yes it’s still me. But sometimes I let the wolf take over so he can run and enjoy the outdoors on the hunt.”

“You should have told me.”

“I know. But I was just worried that you would run. But there is nothing to be afraid of. Once you meet the others you will see that.”

“Others? Wait, what do you mean that I will meet the others? I thought this was just for one night.” Her voice was beginning to sound panicked again.

“I want more than one night with you. I want hundreds of years with you, Mel.”

“What? How old are you?”

“One hundred and five.”

Oh yes. Just state a number like that without emotion.
Gawd
.

“So you are like immortal or something?”

“No, just long lived. And once we’re mated, you can be too.”

“Mated? Kade, you need to slow down. I feel like I am missing a few things here.”

“Sorry, I know I am going about this horribly but I just don’t know a good way to explain. Yes, you are my mate. It’s a feeling my wolf has and I, as a man, agree. I want us to be able to live long lives together. I know we just met but this is the way of the wolf. Its fate.”

The jumbled thoughts swirled in her confused mind. “I thought you were with another woman before. You said it didn’t work out. What did you mean?” The idea of fate was foreign to her and he couldn’t be telling her everything.

Kade sighed before answering. “Yes, there was a woman before. But no, she wasn’t my mate. Not like you. You’re different.” Mel let out an indigent huff. “When my wolf and I scented Tracy, that was her name, we thought she had the
potential
to be our mate. Fate had other ideas though, because her true mate was another. I’m happy about this, Mel. In fact, I wasn’t that upset when I lost her. Not until you, did I know what it meant to find my heart and my other half.”

“But how do I know? I’m not a wolf, Kade and I don’t know if I want to be one. I don’t have a wolfy feeling telling me that you’re my mate.” She paced around the room trying to collect her thoughts. “I do have feelings for you – I do. More than I should for just meeting you last night. But does that make you my mate and I yours?” She shook her head and blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes. “I don’t know if I want to live forever. I hardly even know you. I was thinking you were just going to leave after last night. This is too much to deal with. I think I need to go.” She started toward her bags before Kade stopped her by gently touching her arm. His callused palm still sent shivers down her spine, but she ignored them.

 
“Don’t go Melanie. Please stay.” Looking down at his golden bronze skin resting against her paleness brought images from the last night into her head. She shook off his hand, along with the memories.

“I can’t Kade. This is too much.” She quickly got dressed and collected her belongings.

“Then at least let me drive you home or get your number. I know I went about this all wrong, but we are destined for each other. I
want
to be with you. Please.” Kade followed her around the room but kept his distance as if trying not to scare her any more than she was.

“You can give me your number but I need some space Kade. I don’t know what to do. I just need to get out of here. I’ll call you when I can think straight. I promise.” Looking into his eyes, she tried to convey how much she wanted him and how honest she was trying to be.

Mel hesitantly walked toward him and stood on her tip-toes to kiss under his chin. His cheek showed the faint shadow of stubble and was rough against her lips. He lowered his head and took her lips in sweet and longing filled kiss.

She broke away before he could become more passionate and convince her to stay because of his body – that wasn’t the way to get things done.

Mel took the paper that he had scrawled his number on and went to the door.

“I will call you, Kade. I promise.”

She walked out the door and took one last look over her shoulder. Kade looked so lost and forlorn standing naked and alone in the center of the room, but when she looked into his eyes she saw something else. Determination.

Chapter 6

Melanie’s heels clicked across the linoleum, echoing in the empty lobby. The teardrop crystals from the lighting fixtures twinkled in the early morning sunlight. She paused, collecting her thoughts. Ironic. She stood by the same chair that she sat in and contemplated if she were making the right decision in going on this date. Now she was back, still struggling with her choices. An empty laugh escaped her. What a mess.

Her emotions ran wild. Fear bounced with happiness at the thought of Kade. A drop-dead gorgeous man wanted her for life, but why? Confusion and doubt settled it, seeping away any happiness. What Mel really wanted to do was run back upstairs, push away all of her emotions, and leap into Kade’s arms. Yet, what did it mean to be mated to a werewolf?

Why the hell couldn’t he have just been a nice
human
guy? Why was her life so fucked up?

“Melanie? Ms. Cross? Is everything okay?” A familiar deep voice broke her tumultuous thoughts.

The manager who walked her to her table last night stood by her elbow, a concerned expression on his face. Lance. Lance Morse. That’s right.

“No. Yes. I’m fine. Just trying to get my bearings.” It was then that she remembered what she was wearing – or rather not wearing. Still dressed in her black, lacy mini-dress, wrinkled from its time on the floor and her Fuck-Me pumps, Lance didn’t have to guess what she did the night before. Her hand trailed up to her hair. Oh God. She must really look like she was just fucked, plucked, and made over. Heat infused her cheeks as mortification set in.

“Is there anything I can do to help? You took a cab in, correct? Would you like me to call one for you to get home?” Wow, she couldn’t believe he remembered how she arrived. But she supposed that this was a nice hotel and the manager must know everything.

“Oh, if it’s no trouble. I just want to get out of here quickly.” She needed to leave this building before she lost her nerve and went back upstairs to the man who claimed to be her mate. Kade and his delectable body and apparently very sharp teeth.

Lance’s gaze sought hers, his brow furrowed. “On second thought, I’m on my way out. Why don’t I give you a ride home, save you the cab fare?”

Mel’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. A cab will be fine.”

The manager placed a warm hand on her arm. “Consider it part of the service. It’s really no trouble, you look like you could use a friend to talk to. Let me help.”

Too tired, worn and feeling used, she forgot to care about the potential dangers. She nodded. What the hell, she already slept with a stranger. Why not take a ride from another one. Truly risk fate.

After finishing whatever he needed to do, Lance led her to a tan sedan and opened the door for her. Mel slid into the soft leather and released a sigh. She was running from a werewolf. An honest to God werewolf of the paranormal nature. Yep, she was certifiably insane. To top it off, she was in a car with a man she didn’t know rattling off her address. She needed a shot of tequila, a deep sleep, and a number for a therapist. In that order.

The ride was quiet if not comfortable. Lance didn’t speak, but generally seemed concerned for her well being. She couldn’t think about the man she slept with though. Kade, in all his muscular glory, occupied her mind. His number sat in her bag, imploring her to dial. Would she?

“We’re here.” Lance’s voice startled her.

Mel looked up at the small, plain townhouse she called home. Ordinary. Much like herself. This is who she was – not a werewolf’s mate.

“Thank you for the ride. Do you want to come in for some tea?” Manners dictated an invitation that tumbled from her mouth before she thought.

A slow smile spread across his face. “That sounds nice.”

Inside, Mel started a pot of hot water and took out two clean mugs.

“I have Earl Grey and orange zest.”

“Orange sounds good. I don’t need the caffeine. I’ve been working all night.” He grinned, and for the first time, Mel noticed he was quite handsome and in her house. Alone. What was she thinking again? Oh right, the traumatic experience of a werewolf telling her she was his mate took her rational thoughts and put them in the garbage disposal.

This must be a dream. Why else would the chemistry wiz sleep with a man, and then go home with another. A hysterical laugh burst from her mouth.