Page 81 of Crossed Fates

Hawk’s gaze went to the bite mark on my neck, then he arched a brow at his son.

Alaric merely shrugged in response.

My cheeks burned as I mentally chastised myself to focus.

Breathe,Alaric suggested into my mind, his hand gently brushing the back of my arm. The amusement in his mental tone didn’t help my flustered state. Nor did the fact that I’d never been flustered before I met this stubborn, broken, sexy alpha.

Hawk’s lips twitched and I mentally groaned.

Alaric chuckled in reply.

Rather than acknowledge him, I chose to pour the rest of the coffee into two mugs and promptly began brewing a second pot. Because I was going to need it.

Alaric kissed me on the temple as he took his mug, then he joined his dad at the kitchen counter. “I assume you’re here with something interesting?”

“I have Neo files,” his dad informed us.

Thank you,I thought, glancing upward at the holy whatever above.Thank you for the distraction we all need.

Because this whole mating thing… yeah, I didn’t… yep.

He’s mortal, I muttered to myself.Like… is this even possible?

Seems to be,he replied, reminding me that he could hear my thoughts.

Stop.

Not my fault you’re yelling at me, sweetheart.

I’m not talking to you.

Right, you’re just talking about me.

I growled at him, belatedly realizing it was out loud.

Hawk’s brows furrowed in response, but Alaric merely grinned and said, “She just needs more coffee.”

Not a lie. I really did. I needed the life-reviving fluid to be able to process what all this meant. I practically downed my first cup, the liquid hot and scalding the back of my throat. But I didn’t care.

Alaric poured me a second just after the pot finished brewing.

And something about that made me want to purr, roll over, and beg him to take me again.

I ignored the impulse.

At least until he mentally whispered,You know I can smell how much you want me, right?

Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again.

We’ll see, sweetheart.

Hmm,he hummed, and the sound sent goose bumps down my arms.

Did he have to be so damn sexy? And something told me he would only get better with age.

Which reminded me of what I’d been thinking about before Alaric had interrupted my thoughts.

Immortality. He’s not immortal. Fuck me sideways…