Page 147 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

Nova and Julianus are walking hand in hand. “Such a funny coincidence,” Nova beams. “Running some errands?”

“Yes, and you?”

“We are running some errands, too,” Nova says. “And then we will go on a date. Things are very busy around the pack, but you won’t believe it. Guess who offered to help?”

“Who?”

Nova waves at a young woman who’s just leaving a store. It’s Isla.

“No way,” I exclaim.

“I was surprised, too,” Nova says. “Ever since I returned from our ‘adventure’, she has tried to be more helpful.”

Isla steps closer, greeting us politely. Her gaze falls on the small bag from the jewelry shop that Lori is carrying, but she doesn’t say anything. We all exchange a couple of polite words before Lori and I take our leave.

forty-eight

Marked

*BENJAMIN*

Lori and I are sitting on the balcony, each of us with a glass of wine. We just had dinner – Lori made a casserole, and it was amazing. The wine was a gift from Lucian, who apparently is a wine nerd, or connoisseur of wine, as he himself calls it.

“I honestly have no idea if this is good or bad wine,” Lori points out.

I grin. “Me neither. If Lucian asks, it’s fantastic. I hope he doesn’t want to know any details.”

“Just tell him it’s fruity in its finish,” Lori chuckles. “Whatever that means. Or give him something else to talk about.”

“Like what?” I ask curiously.

Lori puts her glass down before stepping closer and straddling my waist. I wrap my arms around her, taking in her alluring scent. “How about some hot gossip for the pack?” she offers. “About how their gamma marked his mate.”

“Oh?” I look up at her innocently. “That would certainly stop them from questioning my wine-tasting skills.”

“See?”

I swallow thickly. “I would love to mark you, Lori. Are you sure you are ready?”

She wraps her arms around my neck and leans her forehead against mine. “Of course, I am. I… I hate many parts of my past, but I am thankful that it led me to you. If you want me, I will be yours.”

This is all the motivation I need. Of course, I want her to be mine! I want nothing more than to mark her and be with Lori forever. With what I hope is a smooth move, I scoop her up in my arms and get up. It takes a moment to regain my balance, but I manage to get us both into the bedroom in one piece, and without accidentally dropping Lori or stumbling like an idiot.

Once I put Lori onto our bed, all my bravado leaves me. This was my one cool moment, but I haven’t planned further than that. Now I am feeling panic settling in. Lori, however, sits up on the bed and starts unbuttoning her shirt. I watch her in awe as she pulls her shirt off. She is so beautiful. Everything about her is amazing.

When she reaches to undo her bra, I stop her. “Can I do that?” I ask nervously.

She looks happy. “I would love that.”

I try to gently unhook her bra, wondering how the fuck women deal with that. That’s more complicated than one of Silas’ lessons. I manage to open her bra eventually, letting it drop down, before helping her out of her pants until she is completely naked in front of me. I am wondering if it’s okay to touch her,but Lori beats me to it, taking my hand and leading it to her breasts. “You are so beautiful,” I proclaim while feeling the soft skin between my fingers.

“I am just a normal woman,” Lori says. “Nothing about me is special. There are many women who are much more beautiful than I. I have broad hips, I am not skinny, I-”

“You are radiant,” I tell her. “Everything about you looks amazing to me. I love you.”

Lori smiles at me. “I love you, too,” she says.

With her opening up to me like she is doing now, it’s so much easier for me to find my confidence. I tug my own shirt and pants off, slightly embarrassed that my dick is already erect. I gaze up at Lori, relieved when she looks at me in fascination. Thank Goddess, she doesn’t hate what she is seeing!