Mated to the Alpha Queen (Book 12 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 19

She still wasn't smiling, just watching him process it all. She finally dealt the cards and then poured both of them another shot. She downed her own, still watching him.

Cole lifted it to his lips and threw it back before setting the glass down on the table and watched her pour him another. He felt like he needed the whole bottle after her revelation, though it was practically empty. There was probably another though.

He could understand now why she'd said they'd need alcohol to get through this. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around it. Him with the opportunity for a fated mate. A soulmate. The relationship he'd longed for, but he'd had snatched cruelly away. Just like she had. They'd understand each other, he realized.

His thoughts drifted back to his dream. Had that really only been this morning? So much had happened between now and then, so many life altering events, including the one sitting before him now, offering him something he thought he'd never have. He'd been so startled by that dream, by the fact that it had happened. It really had been her. Kyra. How drunk was he? "Are you serious?" It was dumb to say, but it was all he could think of. She'd been serious all night. Very serious. Kyra was always serious, he realized.

"Why do you think Cade insisted that you come down to the office when I was having that panic attack?" she asked him pointedly.

To calm her down. To offer the comfort only a mate could offer. Evidently Cade knew she was his mate. "Do you feel it all?" He couldn't believe this. He knew there was something between them, but he'd never expected this. Another fated mate? This was insane. Was he dreaming now?

"Yes. I feel all of it. I knew the moment I got out of that vehicle. Your scent is completely intoxicating, Cole. Why do you think I've been so aroused when I've been around you? I'd lay back on this table now and spread my legs for you. I haven't felt this way about a man since..." She stopped, picked up her shot glass and tossed it back.

Her last mate. "And if I was to join your pack?" he asked curiously, trying to ignore the dirty things she'd said to him. He had a feeling if she didn't have a good buzz going, they probably wouldn't have left her mouth. Or at least not yet.

"You'd feel it all too," she said simply, her eyes glowing brightly.

Cole dropped his gaze to his hands, which were folded on the table. He was in shock. He'd never expected this. He'd never expected to have another fated mate, and now he could. He lifted his eyes back up to look at Kyra. She was incredibly beautiful, and she could be his. All his. His thoughts drifted to all of the times he'd seen her naked today and how badly he'd wanted to touch her. He actually could touch her, could have her, could bury himself deep inside of her and claim her as his own. He could sink his canines into her lovely neck and complete that bond that he'd never thought he'd get the chance to truly feel.

Thoughts of mating her aroused him almost immediately, and he swallowed hard as he looked back down at his cards, then back up at her. She was leaning forward now, the cards in her hands as she looked at him. Her. Kyra Remington. His mate. Was he dreaming now? He wasn't one hundred percent convinced he was awake and truly having this conversation with her.

He sat back in his seat. Having a second chance at a fated mate was something he had never expected. But it was a gift. Another soulmate. One he could actually get to know and enjoy. One who wouldn't up and die on him. He hoped when he woke up tomorrow he hadn't dreamed all of this.

She dealt the cards out and he watched her. She nibbled on her lower lip, trying to concentrate. She was pretty well buzzed he realized. And so very beautiful.

He sat for a long time, thinking it all through as they continued to play. This whole thing was a bit crazy. But he did have questions. "Do you know what caused your panic attack earlier?"