Alpha Mate: BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance (19 page)

Her blade gleamed as the rogue spun round, sensing her
at its back. Its jaws yawned opened, snapping shut just inches from
her neck as she drove the silver blade home, straight into the
rogue's heart.

With a piercing scream, the rogue turned its eyeless
face towards Charlotte. Its face contorted and twisted into
terrible, nightmarish shapes and shadows, but still those hollow
sockets seemed to stare straight at Charlotte.

A buzzing sound, like millions of insects fighting to
escape, could be heard from within the wolf's twisting form. The
sound grew in volume, growing louder and more insidious until
Charlotte had to clap her hands over her ears as she stumbled back.

A deafening roar, and Charlotte raised an arm to shield
her eyes as the wolf's massive form exploded and dirty, black ashes
rained down on Charlotte.

Charlotte staggered back, coughing and spluttering as
the ground tilted dangerously. She lost her balance and the ground
rose to meet her. Just before her face connected with the concrete,
she felt Bryn grabbing her and supporting her. “Hang on,
partner,” Bryn said fiercely. “Just you hang on.”

Charlotte cracked her eyes open to see Bryn's anxious
face and a halo of fine mist fanning out behind her. She opened her
mouth, but only managed an incoherent gurgle as Glenn Constantine
materialized from the mist and stepped forward.

“
You did good, girls,” Glenn said, stooping
down to gather Charlotte in his arms. “Let's get you back to
the PAC Headquarters. You need to get your wounds treated, and—you
have to collect your Enforcer's Badge.”

“
Enforcer's Badge?” Bryn stuttered. “You
mean...”

“
Yup, you passed.”

“
So you're our assessor,” Bryn gave the
Master vampire a crooked smile and leaned down to hug Charlotte.
“You hear that? We did it!”

Charlotte nodded and smiled as the mist swirled around
her. When the mist cleared and she opened her eyes, she saw a circle
of faces hovering above her.

She blinked against the overhead light. She saw
Jasynta, Bryn, Blake, Glenn and Jett.

Jasynta helped her sit up, and she felt the swathe of
thick bandages around her torso. Everyone started talking at once,
congratulating her on becoming a full-fledged Enforcer.

“
Charlotte.”

Her eyes darted between the gaps of all the smiling
faces and saw Lucas. Everyone parted, stepping aside to let her mate
through. His eyes held so many emotions, emotions so deep and strong
she almost gasped when he finally took her hand in his.

Her heart flip-flopped madly as she looked up at him.

Was he angry?

Would he not let her hunt, after seeing how she'd been
injured?

Would he...

“
Lucas,” she began. “I...”

He put a finger to her lips and whispered, “I am
so proud of you.” He leaned in to kiss her, and it was no
tentative, gentle kiss. It was deep and passionate, and it sent
desire spiking through her bandaged, battered body. She growled
against his lips, grabbing his shirt to pull him closer. “Take
off my bandages,” she panted. “I want...”

“
Woah, no taking off the bandages!”
Jasynta's voice came slinging through the air.

“
For how long?” Charlotte pouted.

“
Hmmm.” Jasynta tapped a nail against her
chin, pretending to mull over her question. “Not long,”
she grinned. “Not long at all. The Potion of Promise enhances
your healing abilities as well. Great potion, yeah?” she said
with pride.

“
Great potion,” Lucas answered sincerely.

Lucas leaned in to kiss her again, and this time
Charlotte blushed furiously. “Lucas,” she hissed,
glancing around. “Everyone's watching!”

“
It's just a kiss,” he drawled, but his eyes
sparkled, promising wicked things. “A kiss for the Alpha's
mate. And...” Lucas turned to Jett and nodded.

Jett stepped forward, and presented her with a gold
badge in the shape of a shield. “And an Enforcer's badge for a
great Enforcer. Well done, Charlotte.”

Charlotte blinked at her brand new badge and looked up
at Bryn, who was waving her own badge happily at her. “We did
it,” she whispered.

“
We sure did, partner!” Bryn hooted.

Everyone offered their congratulations and began to file
out of the room. Jasynta checked her dressing one last time, and
gave her the thumbs-up. “Tonight,” the witch doctor
smiled. “You can remove the bandages tonight. Oh, and you can
go home now.”

When Jasynta closed the door to the medical bay quietly
behind her, leaving them alone, Lucas held Charlotte in his arms for
a long time, pressing his lips against her forehead. “I love
you,” he said at last.

She gazed up at him, her eyelashes brushing against his
stubbled chin. “I love you,” she whispered.

Charlotte held her Enforcer's badge against her chest,
and breathed against her mate. It felt as though a weight had been
lifted off her chest, and for the first time in a long time, she felt
free, strong and whole.

“
Let's go home, Lucas. And tonight...”

He growled. “Tonight...is a full moon.”

“
Tonight—” She winked seductively,
pressing her body against him and feeling her curves melt against his
hard, powerful body. “We'll see if you can catch me, wolf!”

“
You're injured,” he growled, frowning down
at her. “I won't...”

“
I heal fast,” Charlotte answered proudly.
“I am the Alpha's mate. I am
your
mate. I want you to
howl for me, chase me, and mate with me under the full moon, Mr
Rieve!” She jabbed a finger into his chest.

Lucas caught her hand sharply, and gazed deep into her
eyes. Pressing her fingers to his lips, he smiled and whispered,
“Yes, Mrs Rieve.”

~ End ~

About the Author

Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet
with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the
unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds,
deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to
coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from
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