Page 15 of The Wolf's Captive
Opening my mouth, I went to reply but the phone bleeped as the warlock ended the call. Okay, so maybe that was something I could do once I got the council off my back and made things right with Malone.
A heavy thump on my front door made me jump. My whole body tingled as I glanced towards it, a frown pulling my forehead. No one, not even Zoe, ever came to my apartment. Had the Paris alpha found me?
Zoe’s warning had made me shudder. Why would the man be so interested in me, considering I wasn’t part of his pack? It wasn’t like I’d been obvious, strutting around the city. I’d kept low-key, staying hidden under the radar.
Swallowing, I grabbed up a knife from the kitchen side and advanced back through the curtain. Maybe it was Zoe, coming to make sure I was okay.
“Wait,” I whispered, scenting the air. “What was that?”
The smell of hot chocolate, croissants and something that made my heart beat louder. Pine.
Laughing at myself as I got closer to the door, I shook my head. There was no way in a million years the scent belonged to Malone. He was shut up in a dungeon near Kieran back in England.
As I unlocked the door and pulled it open a fraction, I peered out, expecting to see my pretty blonde haired friend. Alas, there was no one there.
My heart calmed as I went to shut the door, pausing when I caught sight of the basket of goodies on the ground. Poking my head out, I frowned as I studied the figures of people wandering up and down the street. I couldn’t see anyone I recognised.
Zoe must have been on her way to work and dropped me off a gift. How sweet.
Stepping out of the hall, I grabbed up the basket and turned, going still when an unusually tall and muscular man disappeared around the bend at the end of the road. It was only a few houses down, but… was it?
My feet were walking before my brain engaged. Malone’s frame wasn’t common, and yet, it was impossible. Not only that, he wouldn’t just walk away. Almost running as fast as my heart beat, I swung around the corner, only just holding on to the basket of food.
“Shit,” I muttered when the hot chocolate spilled out of the top of the plastic cup.
What was I doing? Crazy fucking hybrid. For a split second, I’d thought I’d seen my mate. In the middle of Paris, walking away from me. Yeah, it must have just been someone who looked a bit like Malone from behind.
A chuckle bubbled up my chest as I turned and rushed back to my apartment, closing the door behind me when I reached it. A girl knew she was in trouble when she saw her mate everywhere. It was time to get back to England.
The scent of pine still lingered as I pushed my way past the curtain, appreciating the blast of warmth that–
“Hello, Della.”
The basket left my hands at the same time as a gasp rushed from my mouth. He was there, catching the goodies before they could crash to the already dirty carpeted floor.
“Malone!” My squeak echoed as he set the basket on the table. “How are you here? You were arrested.”
His tall frame was encased in a sexy black leather jacket and his hair was longer than I’d ever seen it. It curled over his ears, tickling them right where I enjoyed kissing.
“Fuck.”
My exclamation made him raise his eyebrows as he faced me again, the clench of his jaw warning me of his less than pleased mood.
“I persuaded my friend to let me out. Why did you run?” he asked, his deep voice level, despite the rage that danced in his chocolate brown and amber eyes.
Oh, bloody hell, how I’d missed the eyes that had gazed into mine, seeing me for who I was. My whole being tingled, just being in close proximity to my mate. “I heard you tell Rochelle that you weren’t sure whether you could be around me.” My throat closed as the reminder stung. “So, I thought I’d take the decision out of your hands.”
His huff was accompanied by the narrowing of his gaze. The glare would’ve made anyone else cower, but not me. I was his mate, and I would stand firm in defending my actions. I wouldn’t allow him to melt me under his hot sexy gaze…
“Do you really think I meant that?” he rasped, a flash of sadness crossing his features.
His chest rose and fell with the effort of his restrained fury. I clenched my hands into fists to try and stop myself from running to him and grabbing every inch of him. My own breathing laboured as I bit my lip and shook my head.
“I’d just been violated by that awful man, and you…” Swallowing the emotion that tried to rise, I heaved air into my lungs. “…flinched every time you touched me. Instead, I needed you to hold that space of comfort. To let me know that…” The tears came, dripping from my eyes. “…everything would be okay.”
As his head dropped, his gaze going to the worn green rug, I wiped the revealing water that coated my cheeks. I’d played out this moment in my mind, over and over, since arriving in Paris, and so far, it was nothing like I’d imagined. Firstly, I was not supposed to appear weak. Oops. Secondly, I was not allowed to throw myself into Malone’s arms. I had to be strong, even if I was desperate to feel his weight pressing down onto me.
“I admit, I should’ve been better, but you ran away from me.”