The Alpha King's Fated Mate
on's
the corner of the private gym and tugged his shirt over his head, the familiar scent of sweat and rubb
frustration simmering beneath his skin. He should've been focusing on his company, on the count
ided his gaze told him everything he needed to know.
ith both hands to steady it. His chest heaved with th
that thing one day," s
e his younger brother, Caleb, leaning
, wiping the sweat from his br
ht, but his gaze was probing. He always had
the bench and grabbed a towe
." Caleb stepped into the room, his expression shifting
f irritation through Colton. He hated ho
said curtly, avoiding
him. "And you're fine too, right? Because you'
ed. He didn't need t
it, Ca
You're a mess, man. Just tell her ho
bbed his bag and headed for the shower
's
own the counter for the third time. The café was unusually qu
oom, her dark curls bouncing as she grinned. "Earth to M
gh. "Just trying
arching an eyebrow. "
e Mia's stomach twist. "W
u only do that when it's Colton-related." Layla leaned against
cloth aside. "It's nothi
icated
ing, Layla
t drop. Mia appreciated it. She wasn't ready to
Mia glanced up, her heart skipping
nd dark overcoat, his hair still slightly damp from a recent show
e said, his voice
e edge of the counter. "Hey, Co
the office." He leaned on the counter, his haze
his gaze. "You could've
they don't
h her, but she quickly tamped it down. He
g on making his usual order. The silence be
id softly, his v
d him standing just a foot away, his e
ou?" he asked. "You've
e. She couldn't meet his eyes,
she said, her voice st
t belie
st ache. She wanted to tell him, to lay
coffee and forced a smile. "
sponse. He hesitated for a moment, then reached
s voice was low, almost a whisper.
urned and walked out, leaving
on's
air like a taunt. He couldn't focus on the stack of contracts in front
hiding s
is hair. Caleb's words from earlier rang in his ears:
ed that she was the one thing he couldn't get out of his hea
dn't lo
keep going lik
He didn't know what he was going to say, b
's
ng onto the couch with a bowl of ice cream. She frowned, se
saw Colton standing the
?" she asked, her voice
oment, neither of them spoke. Then he ste
said, his tone leaving
d herself against the storm she saw
ence overwhelming in the small space. "Something
She couldn't do this.
ine," she said, he
alpable, but so was the concern. "You'r
hands trembling. "I c
wh
s...
fening. When she finally looked u
er now, his eyes searching
out. "I can't keep pretending this is
ng in the air, ra
. Then, slowly, he reached out a
t too?" he asked, his voi
her heart hammering
can't anymore." His lips crashed against hers, and