The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

“Oh, Bella. He helped me straighten and breathed against my neck, kissing me again in the sensitive spot he had already designed with his rare mark symbol.

” I’ll never leave your side again.”

With some little difficulty, we got back to the business of actually showering. He took care of me like I was something charming and precious. He gently washed me again and dumped shampoo in my hair. He had a serious expression on his face as he concentrated on washing my hair. His fingers on my scalp were enchanting and sensual.

Finally satisfied that we were clean, we turned off the water and he helped me out of the bathtub. I wrapped my wet hair in a towel and wrapped another around my body but the inn towels were too small and just stopped around my butt. I groaned feeling some kind of way but Malcolm was fascinated, staring at me with hooded eyes, and started touching me again.

This time around I swatted his hand away. ” Stop that, Malcolm, you need to stop asking for more, I don’t want to get back in the shower again,” I said teasingly.

“Bella you’re like a drug that I can’t get enough of, everything about you intoxicates me.” He said and started cleaning his body with a fluffy white towel. I sighed as I watched him, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that this handsome and caring man was mine and mine alone. We took our clothes from the bathroom rack dressed up and went out of the bathroom with a great billow of steam. My hair was still wrapped up in a towel turban kind of style to keep it from dripping water on my t-shirt.

When we got in the room, I noticed that Lance had switched on the TV and turned the volume up loud as he ate his ramen out of the food box with a pair of chopsticks.

” You guys are so rude,” he complained, ” I could hear everything that happened in the lavatory. I am just jealous that my mate was not here.”

I rolled my eyes at him and looked inside the takeout bags for my own food. I took out some peppered shredded chicken and veggies and scooped it onto the paper plates the restaurants had provided and I added lasagne and broccoli to the side. Malcolm came and stood beside me ” Anything with shrimp and grilled oysters? I’m famished.”

Lance chuckled, ” Yeah, you should be starving. I bet you lost a lot of energy in your marathon. There is a shrimp scampi linguini somewhere in the bag. Though I got it for Luna but you can have it since she is eating something else.”

Lance popped open a can of fruity juice and passed it to me before taking one for himself

” Brother, does this mean you will now be joining our pack?”

” Your pack?” Malcolm lifted his eyebrows giving his brother a ridiculous look.

” Oh yes,” I giggled, ” We are a pack of four. So you’re welcome to join us.

Malcolm shrugged, ” But you’re a family together, so it doesn’t matter. Bella wherever you are, that is where I want to be. You’re my life now and without you, I don’t have any reason to exist. My world revolves around you, my Luna. Being together with my mate is worth anything and everything

“Oh my God, can you guys stop all this mushy-dovey love before I start getting jealous?” He said sarcastically but I could tell by his shining eyes that he was really happy for us. He dropped his food and hugged me tightly ” Bella,” he said seriously, ” I’m happy for you. My brother Arden was an idiot for hurting and losing a woman like you. I’m so glad you have found someone who sees you for what you’re worth. The best part of it all is that your second chance mate is still my second brother and you’re still the family. I’m glad you’re not just my sister-in-law but my best friend.”

I blushed and pulled out from his arms. ” Thank you, Lance.”

Malcolm found his plate of shrimp scampi linguini and relaxed back against the bedframe with a spoon. I scooted back and rested my head beside him.

“So,” he said between bites, “What’s next?”

I lifted my gazes and they connected in the depth of his hazel orbs “Tomorrow morning we will be leaving the hotel to the house we’re sharing with Lance’s friend. I perfectly understand that you can’t come with us for now and I don’t mind what matters is wherever we’re at the moment, our hearts beat for one another.” I tried my best to sound strong but deep down in my heart I was breaking apart and I wished he would go against my words. I can’t bear the torture of being separated from him again not now that I’m bearing his mark. I’m ready to risk it all to be with him but I don’t want to sound desperate.

He sighed, ” Bella, I don’t think that is a good idea. How could you even suggest that? How do you expect me to function without you beside me? I have been separated from you before and I won’t allow it to happen again. You’re mine now Bella, and wherever you go, I will be there with you. Without you life itself would be meaningless.”

He held my hands and I just couldn’t fight the waters that gathered in my eyes. And my eyes connected with those hazel crystals of his. There was something in them that held promises of protection and forever.

” Bella,” he called breathlessly, closing up the little gap between us ” Tomorrow morning the three of us will go to the house you’re sharing with Lance’s friend, I will stay there with you till we figure out what to do next. Please don’t even say no because I would never leave you alone all by yourself again.”

A tear slipped down my eyes, knowing that I wasn’t cursed after all the moon goddess had blessed me with the perfect mate. How did I get this lucky?