Hate Mates (The Alpha Shifter)

Alexa shrugged and sat forward. “Maybe it’s to help push us together?”

“How does making us look inadequate push us together?” he asked.

“We feel sorry for one another?”

“Do … do you feel sorry for me?” he asked. He didn’t want her to feel sorry for him.

“No, I don’t feel sorry for you. I don’t like that you feel inadequate. I know you’re a very capable alpha in training. It kind of annoys me that they’re doing this on purpose.” She turned her hand up and stroked his palm. “At least something they’re doing is working. We’re not arguing. That’s a plus.”

They stopped talking as their food was delivered. Burgers and fries. They had ordered exactly the same.

“Thanks,” they both said together.

At the same time, they went for their burger, and in doing so, nearly threw their food across the counter as they needed both hands.

Alexa chuckled. “These cuffs, they’re … yeah, they are messed up.” She moved her hand closer to him. “Go on, take a bite, and then I’ll take a bite.”

“Working as a team?”

“Yeah, in absolutely everything.”

He took a large bite and immediately put his burger down for Alexa to enjoy some of hers. Once she finished, and he’d stopped chewing, it was his turn. They alternated until their burger was over. When it came to the fries, their bound hands could stay in the center of the table as they ate with their opposite hands.

“I love the food here,” Alexa said.

“Me too.” He was also enjoying her company. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he often came to the diner just for a glimpse of her, but he kept those words to himself.

The door to the diner rang, and he looked up to see Ben and Drew enter. This wasn’t good. He didn’t want his friends anywhere near Alexa, but they were spotted, and then both guys pulled out a chair. They started to steal their fries, and Landon just wanted them fucking gone.

“So, I was expecting you two to be covered in bruises,” Ben said.

“Tell me about it, I don’t think they’ve ever been alone long enough to be nice to each other,” Drew said.

“People have a way of surprising you,” Alexa said.

“Speaking of which, we better be heading out,” Landon said. He wanted to be far away from Ben and Drew. He knew his friends were pains in the ass and they said shit that made him want to punch them. It wouldn’t be good. His father had told him that his role as alpha was most important. Hurting any of the pack was frowned upon.

As he got to his feet, Alexa followed his lead, not arguing, and they were out of there quickly. The moment he felt the sun shining down on his face, he felt a huge wave of relief.

“Are you embarrassed about me?” Alexa asked.

He quickly turned toward her, shocked. “What?”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“No, hell, no. Of course not.”

“But you didn’t want to hang out with your friends?” She looked toward the diner, and he groaned.

“No, I’m not embarrassed but … my friends they have a way … it’s not … I’m not embarrassed by you, I promise.” He looked toward the diner and gritted his teeth.

“Come on, let’s go back inside.”

Landon was about to go back inside, but Alexa giggled. “No, it’s fine.”

He looked toward her and shook his head. “No, I don’t want you to think that I’m embarrassed by you. I swear. I just … they … okay, I know … they … er … I…” He couldn’t bring himself to say that he was jealous.

Alexa patted his arm. “Ben and Drew are assholes. Don’t worry about it.”