Unwanted Mate (The Alpha Shifter Collection)

“I don’t care.”

And she didn’t. What the alpha had done to her would stay with her forever. She had no doubt about that, but she’d come to find peace. All that mattered to her now was to live the life she always wanted to, and now she had a brother to enjoy it with.

George held her close. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to protect you. I will from now on.”

“You’ll get in line,” Raine said.

“We’ve got her back.”

She felt Caspian so close to her and knew deep in her heart he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He was her mate, and she wasn’t going to deny it any longer.

****

“His story checks out,” Sean said. “He hasn’t lied to you. Everything is as he says. There was a cabin at the far edge of the woods, just past the border of Sofia’s pack. All of it. The death of the alpha. George is telling the truth. With his keen sense of smell, I’m guessing that was what he was doing. Trying to sniff her out.”

Caspian looked across the park, to where George and Sofia were catching up. The heat building inside her was getting stronger with every passing minute. The full moon was tonight, and Caspian knew she only had hours before it was too late.

“Good,” Caspian said.

“You’re not going to stop him from, you know, being with your woman, or anything?”

“I’m not going to do anything that would jeopardize her friendship with him. He’s her brother. I won’t come between that.”

“The guys want to know if you’re going to accept him into your pack.”

He couldn’t help but curse as Sean held up his hands.

“Don’t get angry with the messenger. I’m just along for the ride and all that, but in case you were wondering, you do have a long history of picking up strays, and I’d say that man out there is a stray. He’s never truly belonged to a pack. You’re not getting anything off him either, are you?” Sean asked.

“It’s early days.”

“Just admit it. The guy checks out.”

“That he does.” Every single part of George’s story was true. Caspian couldn’t find a fault with the man, but he was always going to keep an eye on him. He had no choice. The man was way too close to his woman, and he had to protect her no matter the cost.

He heard the sweet sound of Sofia’s laughter. His woman looked happy.

“I’m going to marry her,” he said.

“Caspian, don’t you think you should ask her that?”

“I’m in love with her.”

This made Sean gasp. “That’s a bit sudden, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not. I’ve been in love with her from the first moment I saw her, Sean. She is my soul mate. My reason for breathing.” He had broken every rule he had to get to Sofia. Had entered pack lands, had threatened to kill another alpha before her. “I can’t live without her. She is mine as I am hers.”

“If it makes you feel any better, the pack adores her. Melissa and Raine are hard asses, but they approve.”

He didn’t need anyone’s approval, but he was glad to have it.

Caspian tensed up as Sofia and George made their way over to them. The heavy scent of her heat built as the sun began to fall in the sky. Night was fast approaching, and with it, the need to mate, to fuck. It was strong.

“I’m not feeling so good,” Sofia said.

“Head back to the cabin. I’ll see to George, that he’s well taken care of,” he said, meaning it as well.

Sofia smiled and kissed George’s cheek, which made him want to tear the guy’s throat out, but he was a big boy. He kept his claws to himself.

“Sofia’s nearing heat,” George said.

“She is.”

“You’re her mate?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I know you took care of her.”

Sean cleared his throat, and Caspian rolled his eyes. “You are welcome to join the pack that I had no intention of creating.”

George laughed. “I would like that. I don’t turn, but I am useful. I’m good with numbers, wealthy. I own a few properties within the city as well. We can talk more after you … take care of my sister.” He groaned. “Wow, that sounded fucked-up and gross.”

“I’m in love with your sister,” Caspian said. He might as well get all of this out of the way before he told Sofia.

“Oh, does she know that?”

“She will,” Caspian said. “She is a fighter. Strong in her own way. I will be a good mate to her.”

“Good,” George said. “After everything she’s been through, she needs a good mate. One who will be loyal and stick by her. I trust you.” George held his hand out. “Thank you for not killing me when you had the chance.”

Caspian looked at his hand and shook it, aware of the man’s weakness. “Thank you for not giving up on her.”