The Alpha King's Fated Mate

's

meant to fall asleep on the couch, but the warmth of Colton's presence and

aroma of coffee brewing drew her in like a magnet. She found him standing by the stove,

he said, leaning aga

ading across his face.

eas

ng him move with ease. There was something groundin

ic?" she teased, her li

s," he shot back, sliding

the rich, slightly bitter taste. "This feels... normal," she said softly, he

?" Colton asked, sit

es. "It's nice. I think I needed this-ju

"You don't ever have to

e table, her fingers brushing his. "Thank yo

-

on's

e he was the only person in the world. It was a heady feeling, but also terrifying. He wasn'

is voice gruff. "I'm just tr

er voice was st

lize he'd been holding. "Good. Be

t, and it eased the tension that

g her head, "you're not as s

t let that get around. I've

a sound so light and free

-talking, teasing, and occasionally lapsing into silence t

-

's

tle into something quieter but no less profound. She stood in her living room, look

le, and she picked it up to see a

h today? I

reaction when she told her about the s

you at our usu

-

arrived. She spotted Elise at their usual table near

Elise said the mom

uldn't suppress her smile.

ed forward, her green eyes

e story of the past few days-Colton's confession

o delight. "I knew it," she said when Mia finished. "I knew ther

admitted. "I thought he'

'll have to answer to me." Elise's tone was playful,

. "I'll let

-

on's

hout really seeing them. His thoughts kept drifting back to Mia, to the way she

or pulled him out

n," he

. "Here are the reports you asked for. Everything looks good,

s and skimming through them. "I

weekend-one of those charity galas you usually avoid.

vents, but he knew Greg was rig

ir, his mind already wandering back to Mia.

phone, he sent

are you doing

ame almost

: W

charity gala. Wa

ext message felt longe

re you

dn't have aske

nse made

yes. I'd

-

's

justing the strap of her emerald green gown. It was elegant but understated, th

't worried about the event itself-it was Colton's world,

her thoughts. She grabbed her clutch and headed

t and easy smile ma

dible," he said

ush rising to her cheeks a

could feel the weight of unspoken questions hanging between them.

-

egantly dressed people. Colton kept a steady hand on

confidence never wavering. Mia admired the way

on her tightened whenever someone looked at her for too l

uiet balcony, she turned to him, h

m fine. I just... I don't like the wa

mile tugging at her lips. "Col

, but he didn't d

"You have nothing to worry abou

ng her closer. "Don't remind me. I migh

hand on his chest. "You do, Colton.

is forehead against hers. "Then I g

but neither of them noticed. In that momen