Page 93 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“No, I couldn’t care less.”

“To be honest, I don’t feel like I know much about sex,” I admit. “I only ever did what others wanted me to do. I have no idea what I want for myself.”

“Don’t worry, we will work on this,” he says, turning his head to look at me.

Goddess, he truly accepted me. I still can’t believe it. But I can feel the bond so much stronger now. Once he marks me, it will be even more intense.

I stretch out my hand to touch his cheek before leaning forward to kiss him. It feels awkward to kiss someone upside down, but Benji’s lips feel soft and warm. It’s the best kiss I’ve ever had.

Benji and I went from awkwardly kissing each other to fully making out, with me lying in his arms and snuggled against him. I feel silly but good. Like I am a teen again, but this is how I should have felt back then, and how the guys Elijah made me sleep with should have treated me.

This is what I missed, but I have it now.

Eventually, though, we hear voices coming closer and reluctantly draw apart. “Here you are,” Kitty says, handing a bottle of beer to Benji and some soda to me.

Nova follows her with something to eat. “Are you two okay?” she asks, clearly worried.

“We are fine,” I tell her.

“More than fine,” Benji adds.

“Has Isla left?” I want to know.

“Yes, I made sure to get her ass home,” Nova mutters. “Benji, I need to ask you something… Isla was your mate, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, I am sorry I didn’t tell you,” Benji says. “I was just…you know… she didn’t want me and rejected me.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” she soothes him. “I get it. I just can’t believe she would do something like that. She is one of my pack members. I am truly sorry she treated you like that. And you, too, Lori. She said and did some awful things tonight.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “It’s not your fault. Thank you for standing up for me. It means a lot to me, especially considering my past. You know about it, don’t you?”

“Yes, because Cass worked together with the alpha who rescued you, but I don’t know any details,” Nova says. “Rest assured that I don’t give a shit about any rumors.”

“That’s my worst fear,” I admit quietly. “That people will dig my past up, and it will ruin my life once again.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Benji tells me. “Besides, Sunset Hills accepts you fully. Hell, they accepted me, and I did so many vile things. You, however, they instantly loved.”

“I mean, you build houses,” Kitty adds. “Of course, they find you awesome.”

“You are all way too kind,” I say quietly.

“Lori, should we really let Isla get away with her stunt?” Nova asks. “It doesn’t sit right with me.”

“I know,” I admit. “It’s just… I am new here, and people will judge me. I would like not to be judged for additional drama.”

“I understand that,” Nova says. “I need to tell Cass, but will ask him to keep this incident on the down-low. I will keep an eye on her, mind you.”

“Really, what is she thinking?” Kitty mutters. “Rejecting her mate. I would never do that, unless he was a truly terrible person.”

“Me neither, although I am not too excited to meet my mate,” Nova admits.

“Really?” Benji asks. I am surprised, too. During our drive to the party, she sounded much more eager to meet her mate. “Why, Nova?”

“Because so much for me is at stake,” she admits. “I love my pack and my work. I know Cass wants me as his beta, but neither of us can commit to the task because so much depends on my mate.”

“But why do you need to adapt to your mate?” Benji asks. “He could do that too, you know.”

“What if it’s an alpha?” Nova asks.