Alpha’s Badass Mate novel

---- alpha was content for once, curled up in his belly with a rumbling purr. "I wanted our child to like me," he said, aware it might ruin the moment but needing Ashly to understand. "I wanted my child to accept us for our future sake. I know how much his opinion means to you." Ashly's laughter had faded, but she looked up at Alex through her eyelashes and didn't seem angry, at least. "We should have faced everything together," she said.

"And you should have told me you were pregnant ," Alex replied. Ashly winced , but she didn't look away. "Would you believe that that was an accident?" Alex snorted but agreed, "I'll believe whatever explanation you give me. I know you had your reasons. " With a sigh, Ashly turned to stare up at the ceiling.

She mumbled, "This sounds stupid now." "Yeah , so do mine," Alex agreed , and then decided that Ashly looked comfy and copied her, lying flat on the daybed and staring at the unremarkable concrete ceiling . He didn't know where they stood just yet. If Ashly was still angry, Alex wouldn't blame her. Alex had told her that he'd be back in some months, and then he didn't come home for seven or six, in Ashly's perception.

---- And in the meantime, Ashly had to raise their son alone, apparently convinced that Alex had found a new family elsewhere and wasn't planning to come back. Alex told Sam how Ashly always went to his old pack house to see him. When Alex told Sam to call his friend and say those things, Sam was angry. He doesn't want to do all those things , but Alex begged him, which he never did.

How Alex wishes to kill his father ; how he wishes he could punish him, but it's not only his father, but it's him to. He knew his father really well, and he still believes his story. Ashly got up, and Alex heard her climbing the stairs. He stayed where he was, staring at the ceiling. He thought maybe he should leave. Ashly could probably use a minute to process , and Alex was hungover and still wearing yesterday's suit. Maybe he should go home, shower, and call Ashly later?

Both of them need some time to process all this crap. The footsteps came back, and then Ashly was sinking onto the daybed by Alex's hip. She held out a small, white velvet jewelry box and said, "I'm going to give you another chance, but this time we are going to take our time; it doesn't matter what happened or who will ---- try to come between us; even your father will remember our child before doing anything." Alex sat up and took the box with shaking hands.

When he opened it, he found himself staring down at two beautiful rings, including the one Adom bought for them so long ago. Honestly, he'd been starting to suspect that Ashly had thrown it out. "We both are already mated, so will you marry me, Alex?" Ashly asked softly. Alex's eyes burned with tears, and a sob hitched in his chest. "Yes," he said. He picked up the ring and set the box aside so that he could hold the beautiful stone around Ashly's beautiful finger.

"I love you more than anyone ; you are my everything . You are perfection , Ashly. Thanks for loving me and accepting me again. I promise this time no one will come between us, and I will tell you everything about myself. I will take on your and Adom's responsibility . I will become a good father and husband." With the ring secure, he cradled Ashly's fingers in both of his and pulled them up to his face to kiss Ashly's knuckles.

Ashly's forehead pressed against his, and then he kissed Alex's cheek, the corner of his jaw, and the space beneath his ear. She tucked his face into Alex's neck and inhaled deeply. Curling his arms around Ashly's waist, Alex mimicked him and got a noseful of the beloved aroma ---- of mint and pine. After weeks of that burning plastic scent, it was enough to make Alex's breath stutter all over again. Ashly sniffled suspiciously against his shoulder.

"Are you crying?" Alex asked , giving him a squeeze. "No," Ashly protested , even as she pulled back and wiped tears from her cheeks. Alex couldn't help his smile and his laughter , and he got shoved for it. He let it knock him over, fell backwards onto the daybed, and watched Ashly with hungry eyes. He couldn't have looked away if he tried. "You're a most asshole, Alpha.

I wish I could beat the shite out of you." Ashly complained , but he draped himself across Alex's chest and smiled back at him. A soft, rumbling purr started up in his chest, and Alex could feel himself starting to match it. He ran his fingers through Ashly's hair and contemplated the long forever that was ahead of them. Later, Alex wouldn't be sure which of them had initiated it. But Ashly tilted her head up, and Alex looked down at her, and between one breath and the next, they were kissing.

It was soft at first, exploratory . They had to relearn each other after so much time apart. But slowly the heat built, and the kiss grew open- mouthed. Ashly's teeth scraped over Alex's lower lip,