Chapter 19
The Alpha’s Invitation
I groan, pulling myself upright in bed, my head pounding as if it’s been split open. It’s strange. I’ve never experienced a hangover before, but I can only assume this is what humans must feel like when they’ve had one too many.
Eli’s beer is no joke. I underestimated it completely. If a human took even a sip of it, they’d probably pass out in seconds.
Slowly, pieces of last night begin to surface in my mind, though it’s a blur. I remember
drinking… a lot. The cheers, the laughter–everything was a whirlwind of fun.
Did I win something? I think I did. Did I break a record? I can’t quite remember all the details.
But I do remember the laughter. I remember feeling carefree, like I hadn’t in so long. Then there
was karaoke. Oh no. Did I sing?
“Yep,” my wolf chimes in with a mischievous laugh. “And it was hysterical.”
I wince at the sound of her voice in my head. “Don’t talk to me right now,” I mutter, pressing my palms to my temples as my headache intensifies. “You’re literally killing me.”
I collapse back onto the bed, closing my eyes, trying to piece together more of the night. I
know Sage brought me home.
But everything she said after that? It’s a total blank.
I glance at the clock. It’s almost time to meet her at the Alpha’s house. Two hours left.
Groaning again, I force myself out of bed and head for the shower. As I cross my small living
room, I spot a sheet of paper on the table. I pause, picking it up.
Drink a lot of water. The hangover should be gone in an hour. I’ve included something that
usually helps me.
- Sage
I notice a pill next to her note, and without thinking, I take it with a gulp of water. I keep drinking until I feel like I might throw up, but at least the pain is starting to subside.
Goddess, thank goodness for our metabolisms. If I were human, I don’t think I’d make it through a hangover like this.
After a long shower, I feel human again. I pull on one of my old t–shirts–nothing fancy. I
should probably buy some new clothes soon, now that I’m getting paid for my work. I can’t
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even remember the last time I bought something new, and I know my students have noticed my wardrobe.
As I leave my house, the last remnants of my hangover have finally disappeared, and I feel lighter, more energized. I make my way to the Alpha’s castle, the familiar path now almost second nature to me.
* Fonts
When I arrive, the guards don’t stop me at the door. They let me in without a word, and that throws me off for a second. Usually, they ask why I’m here, but this time, they seem to already
know.
“Beta Sage is waiting for you in the kitchen,” one of the guards says, his tone businesslike.
I blink in surprise. “Oh, okay… thanks.”
“Need help finding the kitchen?” he adds, raising an eyebrow.
I shake my head with a small smile. “No, I think I remember.”
I walk into the house, trying to seem confident despite the flutter in my chest. It’s been a few
days since I’ve been here, and the pull I feel toward Alpha Matthew still confuses me. I don’t
know how to navigate it.
As I step inside, the familiar scent of the house hits me. Amberwood, coffee, and books–just
like him. It makes my heart do something funny, like it’s been wrapped in a warm blanket.
The kitchen is empty. Sage must still be running late. I take a moment to wander into the
living room, where I spot Matthew’s guitars pulled out from the corner. They’re positioned right
next to the fireplace, and for a second, I wonder if he’s started playing more often. The last
time I heard him play, it left me in awe.
Speak of the devil… my wolf whispers, and I feel him before I see him. His presence fills the
room like sunlight warming my skin.
“Mia,” Matthew’s voice rumbles low, and I turn toward him, immediately caught in his gaze.
He’s not in his usual button–down shirt and dress pants today. Instead, he’s wearing a simple
black t–shirt and grey sweatpants, and the tattoos that line his forearm and hand are now fully
visible.
His devilish smile curls at the corners of his lips, and the gleam in his eyes only intensifies the
effect he has on me. My heart stutters.
“Hey,” I reply awkwardly, feeling like a schoolgirl caught in a moment she shouldn’t be in. “Sorry, I was just waiting for Sage.”
Matthew steps closer, his arms crossing casually.
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“Oh? What kind of trouble has Sage gotten you into today?” he asks, his voice playful, his eyes studying me intently.
I feel my lips twitch in spite of myself. “Sage is taking me to see your town. The old parts of the city. I haven’t really explored much outside of campus.”
His eyes light up, clearly intrigued by my answer. I catch him licking his bottom lip before he bites it down, and that only intensifies my already rapid heartbeat. The magnetism he exudes
is almost too much.
“I’ll mind–link her that you’re here,” he says, stepping toward the kitchen and heading straight for the fridge. He opens it with a fluid motion, pulling out a drink, and I watch as he leans
against the counter, all casual elegance.
I can tell immediately he’s mind–linking by the way his gaze drifts out of focus. Part of me wishes I had that ability, to link minds like they do. Maybe one day.
A frown deepens on Matthew’s forehead, and I try not to stare, but it’s hard. Even when he
frowns, he’s stunning. The world could be crashing down, and he would still look like he
belonged on a magazine cover.
When his focus returns to me, I feel a blush creeping up my neck. I push it back, clearing my
throat.
“Well,” he says, leaning casually on the counter, “I have some bad news and some good news.”
“Hit me with the bad news first,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Sage is… hungover,” Matthew says, his lips curling into a smirk. “So, she won’t be able to take
you to Old Town today.”
I feel my heart sink a little. I’d really been looking forward to spending time with Sage. We’ve
barely had time to connect outside of the pack events, and last night felt like a breakthrough.
I’m starting to think she might actually be a real friend.
Matthew notices my disappointment and tilts his head, smiling as if he knows exactly how I’m
feeling.
“The good news is…” He pauses, clearly savoring the moment, his eyes twinkling with a
mischievous gleam. “My afternoon is free.”
His fingers twirl idly around his wolf ring, studying my face as if waiting for my reaction. My
jaw slackens, and I feel a wave of butterflies spread through my stomach.
“Wanna spend it with me?”
