Alpha Champion (Wolf Fighters Book 1) Read Free Page B

heart like knives. Of course she’d felt the same, though she’d tried to forget in the years that had since passed. What was the point of thinking of something so painful? She stayed silent, letting him vent.
    “Don’t you have anything to say?” he asked, whirling on her, stalking close. And then she caught his scent and felt her whole body relax and grow warm. Exotic and overwhelming, like expensive spices carried on an ocean breeze through a coastal forest. She inhaled deeply and let it sink in that he was actually here , with her . He was angry and there was still no chance for them, but he was safe. And she could see him one last time.
    His expression changed as he looked her over and leaned down to put a finger under her chin and tilt her face up to his. His eyes softened and his lips parted slightly. “Damn, I can’t stay angry at you. Not when it’s the last time we’re seeing each other.”
    She nodded, her heart pounding painfully. “I know.”
    “But I want to at least talk to you, one last time,” he said, looking up at the ballroom. “If you stay out much longer, they’ll know you’re gone. Can you meet me later?”
    She swallowed, her heart thudding painfully. Perhaps it was a bad idea to see him once more alone. Perhaps it would just hurt both of them. But looking into his eyes, knowing how much she’d already hurt him, she couldn’t say no to giving him a chance to ask her any questions he might still have. And she wanted to hear how his life had been. Just one more time together and then they could say good-bye.
    “I’ll be here after the ball. After the others have left, meet me right here exactly.”
    Lucas nodded, and she noticed a heat in his gaze that hadn’t been there before. She didn’t want to turn and walk back to the ball, because she felt magnetically rooted to the spot, so close to him.
    But then he broke the tension and stepped back. “I’ll see you after, then,” he said. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the gardens, presumably to go back in through another entrance so they weren’t seen together.
    Lily took a deep breath and tried to gather her strength to go back inside. Somehow it was both harder and easier now that she knew she was seeing Lucas afterward.
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    T he ball felt like it went on endlessly. Another dance, another new name and face she wouldn’t bother to remember.
    After several hours had passed and the crowds began to dissipate and became only a few lingering guests, Lily slipped away from the party, knowing no one would notice. Her father was much more insistent on being the center of attention. Really, this whole thing was more about him than her anyway.
    Lily walked swiftly down a set of side stairs and out into the dark night, her eyes searching for the part of the garden they’d been in before.
    When she turned the corner to find the same bench, she let out her breath in a disappointed sigh. He wasn’t there.
    “Looking for me?” a deep voice asked, interrupting her thoughts.
    She whirled around to see him striding out of the darkness.
    Once again, it was like a dream, and she reached down to pinch her skin as if trying to wake herself. He moved forward quickly, catching her hand like he couldn’t bear to see her hurting herself, and then set her gently on the bench.
    “I still can’t believe it’s you,” she said.
    “I know,” he said. “I guess you never thought I’d find you.” His mouth was set in a grim line. “I guess you never wanted me to.”
    “Don’t be silly. I—”
    “Silly?” He raised an eyebrow mockingly, but his tone was harsh. “Lily, you broke my heart.”
    She sighed and slumped slightly. Was there anything she could say? “Well, it’s our last night together. What do you want to talk about?”
    He paced and then sat beside her. The feel of him next to her was nearly unbearable. The warmth of his body, the hard muscle she’d find there beneath his clothes. And the fact that it was him, the man