The Wolf That Saved Me

Chapter 10: Closer

NATALIE KANE

Mate? Why did he think that I was Cody's mate? Was there something he wasn't telling me? Who was this man? A million questions flooded my head as I stared straight ahead at, what I assumed to be, a very angry werewolf.

Cody didn't flinch; he didn't back down. He stood his ground. "No, Alpha. She's not." Alpha? He must be their pack leader. Shit. I hope I didn't get him into trouble. The Alpha did not seem happy about me being here. Cody looked just as angry. "I've been trying to find my mate for twelve years without any inkling of success. It's not going to happen, I'm never going to find her. I'm thirty fucking years old and I refuse to be alone for the rest of my life, watching everyone else snuggle up to their mates."

I was starting to feel pretty uncomfortable. All I wanted to do was run right out the door and head for my apartment. I glanced over at Brent, and judging by the look on his face, I could tell he felt the same way. He had even stopped eating his ice cream.

The Alpha was seething by now. "No." His voice was so loud, I'm pretty sure the whole house could hear him. "This isn't about you being lonely. I really don't give a shit who you spend your time with. There are plenty of unmated wolves out there to keep your bed warm at night. This is about you getting close with a human, which I might not have had an issue with, had you not told her our secret. But no, you had to be all Larry Loose Lips because you couldn't keep your wolf in check around her. You should have just walked away and never looked back. And now, I find her standing in our kitchen, my kitchen."

At this point, I had hoped that the floor would just open up and swallow me whole. I was completely mortified. The only thing stopping me from leaving was the fact that I had no idea how to get home.

"Do you really expect me to just look the other way?" The Alpha's nose was practically touching Cody's, he was so close. "What kind of Alpha would I be if I just started letting pack members break rules left and right? Things would be chaos. I would be seen as weak. You put me in a really bad position."

Cody still looked angry, but at the same time defeated. He hung his head. "She's not just some girl, Alpha," he whispered. "I can't stay away from her, believe me, I've tried. My wolf wants to be near her. He needs to protect her. She's not going to tell anyone about us, I can feel it. I trust her with my life."

My eyes grew wide as I took in everything Cody just said. His eyes fell to mine. They were filled with worry, as he anxiously waited for my reaction. He was expecting me to run, I could see it, but to his surprise, I stayed right where I was. Shit had gotten very intense, and it was extremely overwhelming, but I couldn't leave him here right after he had just opened up like that; he was so vulnerable.

I heard a very faint growl erupt from Cody's throat as I linked arms with him and grabbed his hand with my other arm. An instant wave of calm washed over me and I felt Cody's muscles relax as well. I gave him a reassuring nod.

The Alpha stared at Cody and me, his face scrunched in confusion, as his eyes kept darting from mine, to Cody's, and down to our hands. "It's too fucking late for all this shit," he finally said, wiping his hand down his face. "I don't like this." He pointed rapidly between the two of us. "Whatever this is. I'm going to keep a close eye on you both." He fixed his eyes on Cody. "Just remember what I said last week. I mean it."

Cody bowed his head. "Yes, Alpha."

The Alpha grunted. "I'm going to fucking bed." Without another word, he walked through the kitchen and out the door.