Alyssa’s Wolves(14)

Alyssa shook her head and leaned back a few inches to stare up into the piercing brown eyes that had nearly made her swoon three Christmases ago. Realization dawned when she pondered the few things he’d said so far this afternoon. “You knew.”

It wasn’t a question.

Michael nodded. “I did.”

“Why didn’t I?” The questions in her mind piled up. Had she known? Perhaps she’d been too preoccupied with life’s events to realize this man was her mate?

“I think you were too young. At least, that’s what I told myself.”

“Why did you leave?” He’d run, left the country in fact, the moment his body had aligned with hers. Just like … whoever had fled last week. What was wrong with her that two men who seemed to be her mates had hightailed it out of town the moment they realized their fate?

“Don’t look at me like that,” Michael soothed. He cupped her cheek with one hand and tipped her face back even farther. With his thumb, he grazed her skin. “You were so young. And you’d been through so much. You needed time. Time to enjoy life and relax. I couldn’t have given you that if I’d stayed here. It wouldn’t have taken long for you to figure out we were mates, and then I’d have been unable to keep from claiming you.”

So it wasn’t a testament to her being somehow unattractive or lacking in the hygiene department. She released a breath she’d not realized she’d been holding and smiled.

“Ah, Alyssa, you look so beautiful when you smile. A dimple pops up right here.” Michael tapped her face with his free hand right in the spot where she knew the indentation was. “The girl I remember didn’t smile two years ago. You were so sad and scared. I hated leaving you. But I would have hated myself even more if I’d have stayed and taken you right then.”

A flush crawled up her neck. He knew just what to say, and she was completely tongue-tied.

“I knew my parents would nurture you and help you become the woman you are today. Gorgeous, confident, sexy… You even hold your head higher.” He cleared his throat. “I was watching you out the window,” he admitted with a twinkle in his eyes. “You took my breath away … when you finally got out of the car.”

Now he tipped his head to one side. “What were you doing in there so long?”

“Thinking. Wait… Your parents know about this?” She couldn’t form the precise words to describe whatever this was, but she motioned between them in the air with one hand.

Michael nodded. “Everyone does. I’m sorry. It couldn’t be helped.”

“Everyone?” Alyssa pushed against Michael’s chest and stepped back out of his range. “Oh… Oh, God.” She pressed her hand to her chest and thought about that information. Lord. All this time…

“I made them promise. Alyssa?” He stepped into her space once again. “Please, forgive me. I wanted this for you. This time when you didn’t have to worry about mating and all that entails.”

Embarrassment flooded Alyssa as she thought back to all the times no one had bothered to tell her about Michael.

Michael tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and let his hand relax against her neck.

“Wait.” Her senses were slowly coming back to her. “How can you be my mate? What about the man…?” He had no idea what she was talking about. Why bother to finish the sentence?

“From the rodeo?” Michael knew. Of course he knew. How stupid could she be? That’s undoubtedly why he was even here. “I’m not sure what that’s all about.”

“So you came back here today because your family told you I’d found another mate.” Now she glared at him. She didn’t know if that fact should make her angry or elated. The mix of emotions was making her weak in the knees. “I need to sit down.”

“Of course.” Michael didn’t break contact with her. He let his hand slip down her arm and grasped her fingers to tug her toward a large couch in the great room. When they got there, he tugged at her sleeves and removed the coat she still wore. “Better?”

She felt a bit like a little girl the way he manhandled her, and again she didn’t know whether she liked his take-charge style or wanted to punch him as he pulled her down to sit on the couch next to him.

“I’d hoped for more time. Would have waited until you turned twenty-one. But…”

Her head whipped up. “Do you have two mates? Like all your brothers?” It hadn’t ever occurred to her she would end up in this situation.

Michael shook his head. “I sure as hell hope not because I’ve never wanted to share you.” His words were tight, and his lips pressed together even tighter after he spoke.