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