Chapter Thirteen

West

Alex came to my home almost every day of the week now. We’d gotten into a routine. He came over and joined me in the office. We worked together while he showed me new ways of doing things. I listened and learned and soaked in all his knowledge.

The business was thriving. Alex had made my job so automated and easy that I could get most of the work done in four hours, which begged the question as to why Emile was handcuffed to his desk and laptop for twelve hours at a time.

I tucked that inquiry into my mental pocket for exploration later, or to forget about it altogether.

Little by little, I learned to let go of those questions that would never be answered. Emile had kept things to himself and had ways of living his life that were a mystery to me even though I was the one in his bed at night and by his side for years.

In moving on, I had to accept that some answers would be buried right alongside my former mate.

“That’s it?” I asked no one in particular once the tasks for the day had been completed and emails had been answered. My checklist was done.

I bounced on my toes. It was only noon. And Alex was leaning against the wall and staring at me.

“How about lunch?” I asked. “And what are you staring at?”

“A happy and beautiful man. Lunch sounds great. What did you have in mind?”

We always ate what I wanted. Alex was so easygoing.

“None of that.” I put my hands on my hips. “What do you want? My treat.” The alpha did always for me. Dinners. Movies. Lunches. He insisted.

Not this time.

“Omega,” he began, his voice dipping to his alpha tone.

“Alpha,” I mimicked, not very well, “I’m doing much better financially with your help. Let me show my gratitude.”

“Fine. You win this time. How about ordering sandwiches from my favorite shop.”

I punched my fists in the air, feeling as though I’d won a prize. Once the food was delivered, we took it to out back to enjoy the sunshine and the slight breeze. I’d asked Emile for this picnic table, and then begged for him to sit with me for lunch. He did once. I lamented the good times like that when we were spending moments on silly things when we could’ve been loving each other.

I had every intention of not wasting a moment of my life like that again.

“Where do you go?” Alex asked. I shook my head clear of my thoughts. Here I was, spending time thinking about the past when my present was so much brighter.

“Overthinking.”

He nodded, pulling me closer. “You do that a lot, mate.”

Mate.

Alex called me his mate.

I jumped up from the bench and considered all the paths I could take to run fast and hard away from this alpha and his false claims. His mate? Wait, no, maybe it was a mistake. Maybe the word simply slipped out.

A man like Alex didn’t do anything accidentally. He was purposeful in every facet of his life.

“Don’t run, West. Let’s talk about this.”

I turned to him, still braced to break out in a sprint at any moment. “It was a mistake. You didn’t mean to call me your mate.”

Alex reached for me.

I sidestepped his touch. The move didn’t please my wolf one bit.

“West, I don’t say very many things I don’t mean. I believe you are my mate. My fated.”

I reached inside for some anchor to calm me down but there was none. “I was already someone’s mate.”

This time, I allowed his touch. He held my hand. “He was your mate. Emile was your mate. And there are no rules that say Fate can’t smile on someone twice.”

Alex mentioned rules more than once. I had rules I’d put on myself. On life. On Emile. On our mating. On mourning. On being a widower. On everything I could. It was a form of control, but this beautiful male in front of me challenged my rules as much as possible.

Was he my mate?

Did I feel the same?

“I need time,” I breathed out, surprised at how quickly I’d calmed down. His touch didn’t hurt.

“You don’t think you’re my mate?” The sadness in his voice ripped me open.

“I don’t know. I’m so confused and muddled. I’m not saying I am or I’m not, that you are or you’re not. I need time, Alex. You promised this would all go at my speed.”

He put his head down and released my hand.

My heart broke a little more each time he let out a heavy exhale.

“You’re right. I’ll wait a lifetime for you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Don’t ever be sorry for being honest. Can I hold you?” he asked. “My wolf is going nuts. Please.”

Alex begging me wasn’t something I ever expected, and it finished off the job of breaking my heart.

“Yes,” I answered and gave in to what my wolf wanted as well. I laid my head against his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“There’s no need to respond, but I have to tell you some things. I adore you. I want you in my life whatever way you allow it. No matter what you decide, I’m always here for you. Always.”