Page 71 of Fourth Base with the Alpha

“I’ll never understand why he did that,” I mutter, dropping onto the seat next to Isabella.

“He was devastated when she died,” Klara says quietly, “to lose your mate is a terrible thing.”

“He had three wives, Klara. Our mother was one of many.”

“No, she was the love of his life.”

If she wants to believe that …

“He wasn’t as bad when she was alive,” Klara says, pushing a photo of a young couple smiling towards me. The man has eyes the color of mine and his arm drapes around the woman’s shoulder. “I think we’d call it depression now.”

I shake my head. Isabella clasps my hand under the table. “It must have been hard for him,” she says softly.

“He was an awful father. Angry all the time. The only time he spent with us was lecturing or yelling at us.”

“That’s not true, Hjalmar. Don’t you remember the fishing trip he took us on? Or the time he drove you into Stockholm to buy that new bass you wanted so badly?”

“I remember,” I say. Unlike Klara, I’m not sure I can forgive all the bad times for the sake of a few good ones. But maybe I understand a little better. I’d always assumed he didn’t care about our mother and I resented him for it.

When we’ve finished eating, Isabella offers to wash up.

“Oh no, you go upstairs and get yourselves settled.”

“It’s only just past lunchtime back in LA. I’m not tired,” I say.

“You need to sleep now to get over the jetlag.”

“We’re only here for a couple of days. There’s no point. Besides,” I take Isabella’s hand and drag her to her feet, “there’s something I want to show Isabella.”

There’s fuck loads I want to show her. And do to her too.

16

Isabella

We stepout into the chilly night’s air and Hunter pulls me in close, walking me down the steps and towards the outline of tall trees. Above us the stars twinkle softly and an owl hoots in the distance.

“Are you taking me into the woods?” I ask him as we draw closer.

“Yes.”

“My mom always told me never to go walking in the woods with strange men.”

“I’m not strange.” His arm tightens around my waist. “But your mom is right. My intentions are not honorable.” His hand slips from my waist and slaps my ass, sending a jolt straight through my pussy and making me wet.

I gasp. “What are they then?” I tease.

“I’m going to devour you, Isabella.” He swings me around so I’m facing him, and bends down low to nip my shoulder through my sweater. “Ravish you too if you’re lucky.”

I place my palms on his chest. “You are, are you?”

“Fuck yes.” He growls against my throat, nipping me there too.

“Well, Alpha,” I whisper, “you’re going to have to catch me first.”

I push hard against his chest and then spin, dashing off through the trees and squealing with delight.

I hear him swear under his breath and then growl menacingly. Then he crashes after me, crunching dried leaves and twigs, his breath ragged.