Becoming Alpha

Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I tackle you again?

I took another bite of my ice cream as the girl tried to stop the fight. Ice cream and a fight? Best mall trip ever.

There was really way too much hotness going on back there.

No. No break. We don’t need a break. I’m not perfect, but I get it. I can’t see you run away from me again. So we stop this. We’re all in, because there is no other option for me. You’re my mate. You’re it for me. You have to trust me.

Can we please drop the whole ‘school starts tomorrow’ talk? I’d like to live in denial for a little while longer.

When you put it that way, yuck. I guess when I think of vampire, I picture Brad Pitt or Robert Pattinson. More sexy, lets stinky

Dastien ran his fingertips along my jawline "Je suis desole, mon amour.

I can’t do that. I can’t turn my emotions off and on like that. I’m either all in or all out. And if you can’t do that—if I don’t come first, then for God’s sake, leave me alone.

I'd do anything for you, Tessa. I know you don't realize that now, but you will.

We need to run from here.” Everyone in the backseat started taking off their clothes. “What the fuck are you doing! This isn’t orgy time. It’s fucking kick ass time.” “We’re going to shift, you idjit,” Shannon said. Harsh but she was right. I was being dense.

I dusted my books off, placing each one—sorted alphabetically and by genre—on the shelves Dad installed. What some people might call “anal,” I’d call efficient. What good was it to have a book if you couldn’t find it when you wanted it?

Bookstores were my kind of place. All those shiny books, lightly touched by only a couple of people. Each one held a different world, a different life to disappear into.

There was nothing more certain in life than the ending of a good romance novel.

Ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s completely frustrating. I’m going to read this thing, and then I won’t feel so freaking lost all the time. So no distracting me.” Before I could read one sentence, Dastien yanked the book from my hands. “You don’t need this.” I narrowed my gaze at him. “Just because you’re handsome doesn’t mean you get to boss me around.

I wouldn’t let you out of my sight if I could manage it.” I tugged on his hand. “Not cool. That’s more than a little stalker-ish, dude.” He laughed. “Okay. So that didn’t come out right.” He thought for a second. “How about I’d like to spend as much time with you as you’ll let me.” I nodded. “Better. Just this side of Stalkerville.” He gazed down at me. “I thought girls liked that kind of thing.” “Yeah. It’s kind of nice.” I grinned.

I hated when people said 'no offense' or I don't mean to be rude.' If someone is going to say something rude or offensive, they should just say it or not. Trying to pawn it off as something not rude or offensive when it clearly was, was beyond insulting.

Don’t be so stubborn. When you feel lost or don’t get something, just come to me. I’ll always be there to help.” That was sweet.

Ice cream. I needed lots and lots of ice cream. Even if it was my breakfast. It had milk and maybe eggs. That totally counted.

The noise from the party raging downstairs seeped into my quiet space. I palmed my blue and red bouncy ball as I lay on my bed facing the wall. I threw it in the air a few times to watch the colors blur together before bouncing it off the wall above my headboard.

Okay. I give up.” I swallowed, and opened them. He was sitting cross-legged in front of me. “We’re not normal,” he said finally. I laughed.

My wolf wants to claim you. To make you mine. To protect you. But I’m trying to give you time, give you a choice even if it’s killing me. It’s why I keep messing up. I should’ve just staked my claim and let you deal with having me attached at your hip.

It took me a while to realize they were getting hot. Then fingers slowly linked with mine. A lazy smile spread across my face. “I have to go patrol, ma chérie. And you have to go inside before the sun sets.” I tightened my fingers around his. “No,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut. His lips pressed against my forehead. I flopped onto the grass, tugging him down too. He hovered over me, his weight on his forearms as he lightly brushed his lips against mine. I growled. That was not the kiss I was going for.

I closed my eyes as I put my hand in his. It was different the second time. Something clicked into place and I could almost sense a line of energy connecting us. I gasped as it tightened around my heart.

What are you doing here?” Dastien stomped over to me, his eyes a bright shade of amber. He was pissed and looking like a crazy-man. “Reading.” What was his problem? I lifted my mug and took a sip while he stared. He gave a desperate laugh and sank into the seat across from me. “I haven’t felt this out of control in years.” He leaned forward, putting his head in his hands. “No. I don’t think I was ever this inept.” I should’ve felt bad for him, but I didn’t. It reassured me. If

I’m not sure if you’re suicidal or a genius,” Meredith said. I grinned. “Go with genius. It’s way more accurate.” I held my fist out to Adrian and he bumped it.

Honey, please.” She held up a hand to stop my babbling. “I made you do it.” What? I stepped away from her, my gaze darting between the four of them. “I don’t understand.” “You’d only attack me like that if he was your mate. As in an actual mated pair. As in the other half of your soul.” It felt like I was floating.

Dastien’s shirt was soaked through. It clung to every muscle. He shook, spraying cold water over all of us, and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Fuck. I finally got the whole wet T-shirt contest thing.

Their gaze met and I could swear I felt the heat of it burning. There were some major mutual appreciation vibes going on. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Meredith Savannah Molloney.” He reached across me to grab her hand and pressed his nose to her pulse point. “I’ll be seeing you again real soon.” What the hell. Donovan Murry was totally hitting on Meredith.

The spark was Fourth of July-sized with Dastien.

Shit. That’s why he was here. To see if I was okay, and to keep watch. I closed the door behind me. “If I let you stay, then there are rules. First, you will not—I repeat—will not be changing in the middle of the night. If I wake up with you naked in my bed, there will be hell to pay. Whatever it is that’s going on with us, we’re not at that part yet.” He tilted his head to the side and made a little coughing sound.