Unwanted Mate (The Alpha Shifter Collection)

“Everything you’ve been through, Sofia. You’re protecting yourself.”

“All I ever wanted was freedom and a mate, Caspian. A mate to love me. To put a stop to all of the horrible pain.” She buried her head against his chest.

The wolf within him wasn’t happy. They heard the pain in her voice.

Years of neglect and abuse had nearly destroyed this woman.

Running his hands down her hair and back, he refused to let her go. He held on to her, keeping her safe, knowing in his heart that no one else would ever do this for her, apart from his pack.

His pack loved her. They would protect her.

“What do I do?” she asked.

Caspian thought about the castle, but that was too soon. Sofia needed to be surrounded by an escape. The chance to get away if it all became a little too much for her. He respected and appreciated that.

“We’ll go away together tonight, to the cabin.”

She gasped.

“It’s my cabin, Sofia. I wouldn’t let you go through your first turning alone away from your pack. Even if you weren’t my mate. I’ve done it for other women.” There were several who had been so terrified. They had been close to a breakdown at the thought of turning. Packs had installed this fear into every single member, making them petrified of their own shadow.

Each full moon, he would be with them, staying in his human form as they feared the change, but the moment their flesh split, and they realized they had nothing to be afraid of, he’d join them for a run.

He’d seen it happen so many times.

Sofia wasn’t just any female though. She was his mate.

“You have helped a lot of people?” she asked.

“I don’t think I’ve helped them. I’ve done what a good person would do.”

She smiled. “I think you’d be surprised how much evil is out in the world.” She stepped back and tucked some hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry for earlier.”

“For riding my cock with our clothes between us?” he asked, loving the blush that stained her cheeks. “You know, it’s going to be hard for me to remember you’re a virgin with that kind of attitude.”

She shook her head. “Is everything a game to you?”

“No, not everything.” He held his hand out to her.

Sofia looked at his hand and hesitated.

“One day, you’re going to realize you can trust me. I won’t bite, unless, of course, you ask me to. I’m a good guy, Sofia. I only kill those that … need to be dead.”

She put her hand within his, and he felt how cold she was.

Pulling her against him, he grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Sean. Just like he knew he would, Sean had gone for a walk that had lasted until the morning, where he’d collapsed for a good four hours of sleep.

He’d spent the whole night with Sofia in his arms.

He kept the monsters at bay.

“What’s up?” Sean asked.

“Bring the car please.” He gave the location and hung up.

“Where are we?”

“You’re at a human-built reservoir. Think of it as a nature reserve.”

“Oh, no wonder it smelled funny.”

“Yes, humans planting trees in the oddest of locations. I wonder what they will think of next.” He walked her out of the trail, and as he got to the parking lot, Sean drove inside.

“I find all of this strange.”

“Cars?” he asked.

“Yeah. It’s like you’re a normal person with superpowers.”

He laughed. “That is so very true.” It amused him because as a kid, he realized he was stronger, faster, and better than all the other kids at the foster place. Rather than show off, he always had this sixth sense when it came to danger. He knew if he showed anyone what he could do, it would mean trouble. So, he turned into a lazy child. No running. No athletics, no nothing.

Caspian learned to train in the shadows. Never allowing anyone to see the real him.

He helped Sofia into the car and climbed in right beside her, nodding at Sean to drive. They were going straight to the cabin. Glancing down at his cell phone, he saw that Melissa had already packed Sofia’s apartment and had taken her clothes to the cabin. Another text from Anton told him the cabin was ready for several weeks of stay, including plenty of food. His pack had answered his call as he had to deal with the real problem, his mate.

His very confused mate.

Sofia wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed her head to his chest. He breathed in the scent of her, feeling his wolf calm with her close by.

“Sean, I’d like you to meet Sofia,” he said.

She lifted her head. “Hi, Sean.”

“Hi, Sofia. It’s lovely to finally meet you.”

Caspian smiled as his woman settled back against him. This was where she was meant to be.