The Alpha's Secret Daughter

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ion of where my friends and I sit in the canteen. Chloe was stoo

she teased as I approached, r

n she forgot her lunch the other day. I told her not to worry about it, but Chloe didn't l

illing the air. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I knew it was better to

oss from me, their laughter cutting through the din of the busy canteen. The atmosphere was alive, as always, but today I felt detached. The chatter around me sw

a quick nod when someone asked for my opinion. Chloe and Chase's usual bickering was a welcome distraction, though. It was funny how

watched them argue. Chase instantly lost the battle, as usual. In his own words, the easies

e head from Chloe. The sound echoed through the room, and the

Chloe said, half-am

ly at his mate. The playful exchange was typical of

ing me, looked at me with an almost knowing gaze. He leaned back in his s

onversation moved on, but my mind lingered on something else entirely. I could feel someone's gaze on me,

corners of his lips. His expression spoke volu

rifting into my mind through the pack mind link.

the link, keeping my tone light. "You know how I feel about finding my mate." It was an ongoing joke between us, o

n't mean you're not allowed to look." He was still smirking, but there was a hint of seriousness

y. It wasn't that I didn't find Reed attractive-he was. His strong jawline, his confident posture, the way he carried himself-it all

hen he spoke again. "Yeah, I get it," he said softly. "But just make sure you

d been pushing away without realizing. I didn't want a relationship with anyone other than my mate.

ying to shake off the lingering thoughts. Chase and Chloe were in the middle of another heated argument about the movie for tonight, a

rue they were. I had been shutting people out lately, focused solely on the pack's needs. But I couldn't deny that the id

aid, laughing, before turning to Reed and continuing the conversation as if nothing had happened. Chase, rubbin

em so... normal. I could be okay. But as I glanced up at Reed once more, I felt that same pull in my chest, the one that reminded me t

eeling of someone watching me again, but I had the sense that something-or someone-was coming. I d

room with a wariness that mirrored mine. His voice entered my mind a

canteen door creaked open, a