The Alpha's Mate (8 Sexy, Powerful Shifters and Their Fated Mates)
Page 90
“Oh, Mandy. It’s okay. You didn’t know Joe would do that kind of stuff.” She patted her distressed friend on the back. “Heck, I would’ve never guessed him to be doing those kinds of experiments.”
Mandy shook her head and sniffled. She stepped back, glancing at her with tortured eyes. “You don’t understand. This is all my fault. I often spoke about you having no one to look out for you. If only I had paid more attention to his obsessive talk about shifters, maybe I would’ve realized what he was up to. Instead, I just ignored him as being in one of his annoying geeky moments.”
“Stop it. Nobody could’ve known that.” She hugged her and motioned her into the booth she’d vacated. “Now sit down and tell me what you’ve been up to.”
Ryder listened to Mandy and Raine discuss how Joe had been working with other scientists across the country. Some rich benefactors had funded their research, and while Joe was one of the main researchers, he wasn’t alone, nor was that facility the only place he worked his experiments.
“What do you want us to do?” Theo asked, towel in hand, cleaning glasses from behind the bar.
“Not sure yet. Have you seen Quinn?” He glanced around the bar in hopes his cousin had made an appearance.
“He stepped outside for a moment.”
Ryder glanced through the front windows, looking for his troubled cousin outside. “How does he look to you?”
Theo sighed, stopped cleaning the glass in his hand, and winced. “Confused as hell and ready to bolt.”
At that moment, Quinn entered the bar, his gaze moved swiftly to where Mandy and Raine sat. Meeting Ryder’s scrutinizing stare, he clenched his jaw, and marched to the bar.
“How are you doing?” Ryder couldn’t help the concern he felt for his cousin. He saw the haunting stress in his eyes.
“Fine.”
“I’m sorry about James.” They still hadn’t found James’ body, but if Quinn’s memory was correct, his friend had been killed when they were first captured.
Quinn gave a sharp nod. His chin length blond hair look disheveled, as if he’d been running his fingers through the strands in frustration.
“I can’t stay here, Ryder.” He shifted to look at Mandy and Raine again, his face filled with torture. “I’m so confused. I feel like I should be protecting her, but that’s your job as her mate.”
Quinn picked up the glass of beer Theo had placed in front of him and gulped. “This is all kinds of fucked up. Your blood was used to change her.”
“I’m no alpha. Your mate is stronger than most of the born alphas out there.” Quinn frowned.
Ryder scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Quinn, you were experimented on. So was she. Neither of you will be normal again. Well, not our kind of normal.”
Theo pushed a glass back and away from the edge of the counter. “She doesn’t just have your DNA. She had a host of other drugs that made her who she is now.”
“Where will you go?” He could scent Quinn’s confusion and pain. It was best to give him the time and space he needed to clear his head.
“South. I can’t be here. I love Jessa, and I feel like a fucking idiot for how that went down.”
Ryder didn’t ask him about the situation with Jessa. He knew whatever happened, Pete probably had a hand in it.
“Don’t let her keep you away.” Theo leaned over the bar to join in the conversation.
“I won’t. I’ll be back. She knows things aren’t over.”
Ryder’s lip quirked at the possessive way Quinn spoke. Jessa might have thought they were done, but she’d soon find out mates weren’t a personal choice, but a choice by the heart.
“Ryder...” He heard the soft calling over the laughter and boisterous atmosphere in the bar.
He glanced around, looking for Raine, but didn’t see her anywhere.
“Come here, my hunky shifter.” Her seductive voice sent lust straight to his cock. Hardened him to steel. Fuck looking. He inhaled, bypassing the beer and different animals to focus on her scent. Like a dog going after a bone, he stood, his gaze locked on the door to their office.
Theo chuckled. “I see who’s in charge here.”
“Shut up Theo.” He growled, rushing to his office, and her arms.
“Oh yeah, looks to me like she tamed two wolves at once.” Theo laughed. His raucous chuckle followed Ryder into his office.
“There you are.” Raine gripped his shirt, dragged him into the office, and pushed his back against the closed door.
“Here I am, my love.”
Her brilliant smile made his heart beat faster.
“I love you.” She whispered. Her eyes filled with emotion.
He caressed her jaw, slid down to her neck, and trailed his fingers over her mate bite. “I love you too. You are the most important person in my life.”
“Really?” She twined her fingers behind his neck and smiled wickedly at him. “Well, the most important person in your life wants you to make love to her.”
He chuckled and nuzzled her lips. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. Whatever you want.”
* * *
The End
About the Author: Milly Taiden
Hi! I'm Milly (AKA April Angel) I love to write sexy stories. They're usually either paranormal or contemporary with a large dose of heat. My paranormal stories can be anything from wolf-shifters (my favorites) to witches, demons and anything in between. I was born the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, I live in New York City with my hubby, the bossy kiddo and our little dog "Needy Speedy". Don't ask.
When I'm not working some really long hours at the day job, or hanging out in the awful life-sucking invention known as Facebook, messaging my bestie in the UK or shopping with my sis Julie, then I can be found watching scary movies. Buuut when I'm not doing that, I'm usually writing because the voices won't shut up.
I am addicted to shoe shopping, chocolate (but who isn't, right?) and Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A $50 GC EVERY MONTH!
Just copy and paste the following link into your web browser: http://mad.ly/signups/87477/join
Find out more about Milly Taiden here:
Email: millytaidenauthor@gmail.com
Website: http://www.millytaiden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/millytaidenpage
Facebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/milly.taiden
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
Their Second Chance
After five years with a man she loved, Ariana Parker held divorce papers in hand. From the moment she met him, Nick was the only man to make her body burn and fill her heart with joy, but somewhere along the way, they lost their ability to communicate—in any language.
Nick Parker lost the woman he loved to the trials of conception. Their inability to cope with their failure broke down their relationship and their friendship. And now, he's left with a woman he lusts after, longs for, and doesn't know how to reach.
One locked door and plenty of time to hash out their problems will either leave them broken forever or might just be the glue that holds them together.
Check out these other great bundles from Zirconia Publishing!
The Alpha's Touch (14 Sexy Men)
Top 100 Reasons to Love: (12 Amazon Bestsellers)
Love and Laughter: 9 Romantic Comedies
Wild Rides (coming soon!)
Made For Sin (coming soon!)
Did you love The Alpha's Mate (8 Sexy, Powerful Shifters and Their Fated Mates)? Then you should read Top 100 Reasons to Love: 12 Book Boxed Set of the Most Popular Best Selling Shifter, Billionaire, Rock Star & Bad Boy Romances by Krista Lakes et al.!
The Best of Apple's Top 100 Romances -- All in One Boxed Set!
This 12-book boxed set is packed exclusively with Top 100 bestselling romance novels! The collection includes NINE
New York Times bestselling authors and ELEVEN from USA Today. The books in this set have received 1200 rave reviews and sold over 350,000 copies on their own.
These books are worth $40, but have been brought together at a very special price for a limited time. Pick up this amazing romance collection before it disappears forever!
What's Inside (check the "Look Inside" for full blurbs!):
Her First Billionaire & Her Second Billionaire by Julia Kent -- Two secret billionaires. One curvy woman. Zero reasons to choose.
Me, Cinderella? by Aubrey Rose -- A sweet BBW new adult Cinderella story with just a touch of spice.
The Billionaire's Ultimatum: His Absolute Need by Cerys du Lys -- Falling in love wasn't supposed to be a part of Jessika's temporary job description.
Taming the Alpha by Adriana Hunter -- A contemporary BBW shifter romance.
Two's a Couple, Three's the Law by Eve Langlais -- Bad boy werewolf or suave vampire? Why choose when the law demands she take on two?
Remember Our Song by Emma South -- Can the lightning of true love strike twice after amnesia tears the perfect couple apart?
Laid Bear by Marina Maddix-- Can true love survive when worlds collide?
Forever Innocent by Deanna Roy -- Torn apart by tragedy. Reunited by chance. A love to never let go.
First Moon by Michelle Fox -- A curvy beauty feels the bite of the wolf and heeds the call of the wild.
The Rockstar I've Loved for So Long by Marian Tee -- A new adult billionaire rock star romance.
Skin Deep by Dez Burke -- A scarred race car driver. A beauty afraid to take a chance. Can their love overcome?
Champagne Kisses by Krista Lakes -- A contemporary romance with lost love & second chances.
About the Publisher
Check out our newsletter for giveaways and more! http://eepurl.com/HExJj
24 Karat Romance, in partnership with Zirconia Publishing, is a new-discovery resource for romance eBooks. 24 Karat Romance handpicks and promotes romantic stories from well-known and up-and-coming authors so you receive the best eBook romance recommendations. We source and post alerts about discounted and free eBook deals, so you don't have to search for them. We also host fun giveaways on our website. To receive your invite to win free eBooks, Amazon gift cards, and much more, sign up for our newsletter at 24KaratRomance.com.
24 Karat Romance - where true romance shines brightest