Hate Mates (The Alpha Shifter)

“No, we weren’t.”

They agreed on that, so they attempted to make their way back downstairs. She nearly fell over Landon, and he once again wrapped an arm around her to keep her stable.

She couldn’t believe out of the two of them, he was the one who seemed so in control, like nothing was bothering him, and it kind of pissed her off. No, it didn’t kind of. It did piss her off, completely.

This time, it was her mother, Penelope, at the door with a key.

“I don’t have time this morning, so I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to rush. Hold hands. Gertie told me she informed you both of the rules.”

The moment the cuffs had come off, she and Landon had already reached for each other’s hands. She wasn’t going to think of what that meant.

Upstairs they went, and this time, they had to use the toilet, which was the single most embarrassing thing in her whole life.

Landon kept his eyes closed. Just as she did. She was very much aware of the heat within her face.

After they were done with their private business, it was washing their hands and face, and of course, brushing their teeth.

Then they were back in the bedroom and being nice to one another as they let each other go to quickly get dressed. Alexa didn’t want to think about how … lonely she felt with their hands no longer together. This was insane.

She had twenty-one years of not holding Landon’s hand, and she welcomed that damn break.

This was just … it was stupid and crazy, and she wasn’t going to relent to it.

“Are you okay?” Landon asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Of course, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked, talking a little too fast.

“It’s nothing. You’re frowning.”

“I have a face that can move.” She was starting to sound like a crazy person, and she didn’t need anyone to tell her that.

Landon shrugged, and holding hands again, they were once again downstairs. Penelope waited by the front door, and without a word, she put the cuff back on their wrists. There was no talking, but she did cup her face to kiss her cheek, and then Landon’s.

“I hope you two realize being mated and finding one another is a true gift.” Penelope smiled at them, about to leave. “Oh, I forgot. Alexa, today you will be assisting Landon with his alpha duties, and then tomorrow, he will be working at the diner and helping you. Marcel has stated that you will both alternate your responsibilities. The pack is aware and will be accommodating accordingly.”

The door closed and they both relaxed.

“Okay, so she didn’t ask what we were doing,” Landon said.

“Alpha duties?” Alexa asked. “What is that?”

“Whatever is needed to assist the pack. Sometimes it can be helping someone who needs it. Filling a gap of responsibility where necessary. Dealing with complaints. Organizing events. It is pretty much anything and everything. I have to go to my dad, and he will give me an assignment for the day.”

“You don’t get to … prepare for it?” she asked.

Landon chuckled. “I wish. I think if I had time to prepare, I’d be a lot better at it. Dad won’t even give me a hint of what I’ve got to do. He told me that being an alpha didn’t come with a seer who can see into the future. I’ve got to learn to trust my own gut and to understand that sometimes shit happens. I’ve got to be willing and prepared to just … do it, you know.”

“I do, but it does sound … well, hard.”

“It can be, but being the alpha is not an easy job.”

“No, I don’t imagine it is.” The cuff was back in place. “Do you want to have some breakfast?”

“Love some.”

Once in the kitchen, neither of them had the option of sitting down and watching each other. They had to learn to work together. So, they went to the coffee pot, making themselves a steaming cup. Landon liked his with cream and sugar, while she enjoyed a splash of milk in hers. Next, they settled on toast. They were new at this, and they kept on bumping into one another, tripping over the other’s feet.

It was a little annoying, but neither of them could stop it.