Broken Loyalty

Nineteen

He watched as Grace paced nervously. It had been hours since the pack meeting and she hadn't spoken to him since before he introduced her. He didn't blame her, his blood had been boiling since ten minutes into the damn thing. After he had introduced her, the questions began to fly.

His eyes followed her as he sat on the couch. She was muttering under her breath and kept glancing his way. He knew she was nervous about something but he wasn't completely sure what.

"Grace?" He made sure he kept his voice calm and low.

Grace faltered in her steps before continuing following the same path back and forth that she had been walking for awhile. Groaning he stood and reached for her.

"Grace, sweetheart, talk to me." Holding her still he leaned down so he could look her straight in the eye. "Baby, please."

He hated the way her body felt tense under his hands and he wanted nothing more than to help her relax. Sitting down he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her body.

"Please tell me what happened. I want to fix it."

The only sound you could hear was their mixed breathing, hers erratic.

"Did you tell then that you would be putting your heir into my belly?"

Her question was just above a whisper and if he were a mere human he would have struggled to hear it. Nodding, he watched her face. Her eyes shut tight and a shudder went through her body.

Confusion coursed through him at why she was acting like this before his eyes widened in understanding.

"Grace, oh no. Sweetheart," wrapping his arms tighter around her his kissed the top of her head. "Grace, I told you we wouldn't do anything until you are ready. I gave you my word and that trumps anything the human promised."

Gripping her face in his hands, he pulled her back and looked in her eyes. Shame filled him, he should have immediately told her that the promise Lucas made to the pack to put an heir in her immediately was void.

"Believe me. I won't touch you in that way until you are ready."

Kissing her on the forehead, he set her on the ground before standing and taking her hand. "Come."

Leading her out of the house, they made their way to the truck where he proceeded to usher her in before getting in himself. He watched as she buckled up before he did the same.

"Where are we going?"

"To spend some time together," the Alpha smiled sweetly.

The ride was quiet, but he was determined to get her to open up to him. He growled at his stupid human, if he would have just listened from day one, he wouldn't have to struggle to fix the mess he made.

Pulling up to a little mom and pop diner, the Alpha led his mate inside. Sliding into the seat across from her he waited. He watched as she looked around, her hair framing her face. His eyes traced over her facial and he smiled. Grace must have felt his stare because she immediately locked eyes with him.

"What?" She tilted her head cause his smile to grow.

"You, Grace Walker, are the most breathtakingly beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."

The Alpha watched as her cheek heated and her eyes dropped to her hands that were resting on the table. That was the only thing he did not like about her, she refused to keep eye contact. He could not blame her though, he was an Alpha and by keeping eye contact for longer than a few second it could be taken as a challenge. His mate though, she could look into his eyes as long as she wanted.

"You are my equal, please don't look away."

When he eyes connected with his again he could see the shock in them. Nodding his head he had to think of a way to keep her eyes on his but could have growled when the waitress appeared. He made sure to never look away from Grace as he made his order, he refused to let her think any other woman could hold his attention.

"May I have a cheeseburger and a vanilla shake?" Grace glanced at the waitress before looking back at him.

"Sure, and how about you?"

The Alpha held back the growl when the suttle scent of desire wafted towards him. Could this female not see that he was with his mate? He could tell she was wolf and it took all he had not to put her place.

"The same." Reaching forward he held onto Grace's hands, make sure he was clear of who he belonged to.

The moment the waitress disappeared, he relax a bit. "So Grace, tell me about yourself?"

Grace blinked wildly, "what?"

The Alpha chuckled, "tell me about yourself. Your likes, your dislikes. You dreams?"

"Umm, we'll I don't like chocolate."

His eyes widened and he held back a gasp, "you don't like chocolate? What female doesn't like chocolate? Is there something wrong with you that I need to know about?" Giving her a playful wink he watched as she relaxed.

"The only time that I will eat it is if it is on strawberries." Tapping her chin, deep in thought Grace continued, "my favorite color is purple. I also like to color and before the Gathering one of the older women in my last pack were teaching me to crochet."

"Is that so?" The Alpha leaned back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest. "Well I would like you to make me something warm. It can get a tad cold once the snow falls and I'd like to stay warm this winter."

Shaking her head quickly her eyes widened, "I'm just learning! I can't."

"Nope, I want something warm. The Alpha has spoken." Leaning forward he tapped her on the nose, "besides I'm sure you are great at everything you do."

"That isn't true."

"Name one thing." He demanded playfully, he could see the color once again rising to her face.

"Well, I can't cook." Grace muttered before looking away embarrassed.

"I don't believe it," he chuckled.

"It's true. I once but water and caught the kitchen on fire."

He could feel his eyes widen before he burst out laughing. "Seriously? Don't worry sweetheart, Chef Donovan will teach you."

The Alpha smiled to himself. They were getting along great and the uneasiness that was usually in her eyes had disappeared. He was happy that he decided to get her away from the pack house for a bit, they needed some time together without the pressure of everything around them, and he owed her. This was the first time since the Mate Gathering that she was actually relaxed and he would do anything to keep it this way.

Their food was placed in front of them and he watched as she quickly bit into her burger, grinning he reached forward and with his thumb, wiped ketchup from the corner of her mouth. The Alpha watched as her eyes widened as he stuck that same finger in his mouth and moaned softly.

"Delicious."