Alpha King’s Wolfless Mate by Scarlett Higgins

Chapter 57

**Nora POV

It was silent in the car as we drove out of Lanecreek and to ward home. Blake hadn’t said a word since we’d walked out of the packhouse. I didn’t dare to break the silence.

It was obvious that Blake was deep in thought and I didn’t want to interrupt. He had a lot to think about right now. He had been so angry when we stormed out of the house, the poor driver hadn’t dared to ask questions when Blake had ordered him to take us home. He had simply rushed to open the door and pulled away from the house as quickly as he could without seeming panicked.

I couldn’t blame the poor man. I was at a loss for how to react to Blake’s anger right now, too. This wasn’t like the irritation he displayed when he was overworked or the rage that he sometimes fell into when he felt disrespected. Something more was eating away at him and I didn’t know what to do about it.

Blake was staring out the window as we drove down the familiar roads to ward home. His dark eyes were fixed on the passing trees, as if he hoped to see some answer in them as they zipped past.

He was conflicted, that much was obvious. He didn’t trust his uncle or Kelly, and I didn’t either. But Graham…

I gently took Blake’s hand in mine and he turned to look at me.

“Are you alright?”I asked softly.“That was a lot totake in.”He forced a small smile and sighed.“It was,”he agreed.“I’m alright. I just wish I knew what that man is up to. I don’t trust a single word he said.”

“Why would he lie?”I asked.

I really couldn’t understand what his motivation might be for reaching out to Blake the way he had. If he hadn’t written that letter, we never would have known that he was in Lanecreek.

“That’s what I can’t figure out,”Blake said infrustration.“He’s the Beta of an exclusive and feared pack. It’s not quite the all powerful position he always wanted, but it’s close. He should be satisfied.”

“But you don’t think he is?”

“I don’t know… I can’t figure out what he could betrying to accomplish by saying he wants to make peace. Maybe he’s trying to lower my guard, but for what purpose?”He shook his head suddenly and a humorless laugh escaped him.“Then there’s Kelly, that little rat.”

I smirked a little at that. It was an apt description of Kelly. She wanted power and it seemed she had found it. I just hoped that she wasn’t after more.

“What do you think of Graham?”I asked.

Blake’s shoulders tensed and he looked back to the window. For a moment, I thought he was going to ignore my question, then he sighed.

“I don’t know. Something is off with this wholesituation, I just don’t know what it is.”

I nodded my understanding.

“So what do we do? It seems like attending theformal dinner is the best option we have. We needto keep an eye on them and there’s a chance they’ll sl*p up and give us some hint about what they’re really after.”

Blake was looking at me uncertainly.“And who knows,”I added.“Maybe we’ll get lucky and it will turn out that they really have changed. Maybe we’re being cynical because we’ve had so many bad experiences recently.”

Blake shook his head.“No,”he replied softly. “People don’t change that dramatically, at least notso quickly.” He turned back to the window and fell into silence.

I sighed softly. He was probably right, but I didn’t want to accept that it was hopeless. Things had been so difficult for us, I wasn’t sure I could handle any more drama.

We deserved a little peace, didn’t we?

**

When I woke in the morning, I was disappointed to find myself alone in bed. I’d grown used to waking up in Blake’s arms. After our time apart, it was a nice reminder that he had forgiven me and that he wanted me near him just as much as I did.

I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed. I was annoyed that I didn’t get to laze about and cuddle this morning, but I wasn’t surprised. Blake had been distracted and thoughtful all night. He probably hadn’t slept well.

I went downstairs in search of Blake. As I walked, several of the house staff greeted me warmly. I returned their greetings with all of the cheer I could muster first thing in the morning. I also greeted the pack members that had come early to meet withBlake or work on other projects around the pack house.

I was getting better at remembering the names of the people that came and went frequently. It still made me uncomfortable when people acted overly formal with me, especially if they referred to me as Luna. It was a title that I didn’t feel I had earned. That’s really something that I should work on. I just don’t even know where to start. I should ask Blake for some guidance on that.

The staff in the kitchen were chatting amicably when I entered the room and only stopped long enough to gre et me. I sat at the count er and one of the young women, Bella, put a cup of coffee in front of me. I thanked her and took a sip.

“How are you today?”I asked sleepily.

“I’m doing well, thank you,”she said with a smile.“Would you like some breakfast?”

I nodded eagerly.“I’m starving.”

Bella smiled widely and went to work on a quick breakfast.

I sipped my coffee while she cooked. I must have space d out, because I didn’t realize Blake had entered the room until he was k*ssing my cheek. I jumped slightly and he chuckled at me.

“Where were you?”I asked curiously.

“Attending to boring responsibilities,”he saiddismissively.“Financial reports and the like.”

I screwed up my nose in distaste and Blake laughed.

“Should I complete the ritual without you?”I askeduncertainly.“You can, if you want to. I would like to be with you,though. I want to see you coming into your powers. The first shift can be frightening and difficult, I wouldn’t want you to go through that alone.”

His tone was filled with concern and I couldn’t help but smile at him. It was obvious that he truly cared and wanted to support me through this.

I nodded my understanding. I wanted Blake to be with me, too. Besides, I didn’t mind having an excuse to put it off a little longer.

My fears about what could go wrong if Blake isn’t my mate started to bubble up again. I bit my l*p and tried to force the worry away, but it was hopeless. I had to get Clara back. If I kept waiting, she might never wake up, but I was paralyzed by fear. I couldn’t stand to lose Blake, either.

I was startled from my thoughts when someone called out to Blake. He stood and took a few steps toward the young man, a pack member I didn’t know well, and spoke to him in hushed tones.

Blake nodded his understanding and the young man thanked him before walking away.

Then, he came back to me and k*ssed me lightly.

“I should get back to work,”he said.

I leaned forward and k*ssed him more firmly. My heart was starting to hammer at my ribs as my anxiety about the ritual rose again. I couldn’t and wouldn’t give Blake up. I would reject anyone, no matter how strong the mate pull, in order to stay with him.

Blake leaned into the k*ss and I wrapped my armspulled me up, lifting me easily. I wrapped my legs around his waist and he deepened the k*ss.

I could hear giggling from the kitchen staff, but I was too focused on Blake to care. He sl*pped his tongue into my mouth and I pulled away and smirked teasingly at him.

“I thought you had work to do?”I asked breathlessly.

“It can wait,”he replied firmly. He shifted his handsto my ass and I gasped and stifled a laugh against his shoulder.

Blake grinned at me and pulled me tightly against him as he marched out of the kitchen and back toward our bedroom.