Free An Alpha's Path by Carrie Ann Ryan Page A

for less than a day. If he had merely given her time to decide before, the outcome may have been different. But not now. Confusion racked her brain. Time wasn’t an option, so the decision would break her heart. Already, she felt numb.
     
    “Kade,” her voice broke. “I…”
     
    “Leave us.” Startled, Mel looked around. The crowd dispersed quickly and quietly. Some still held curiosity, but most looked upon Kade with pity. Whether it be for her humanity or they knew her answer, she didn’t know.
     
    Drawing on the little courage she had left, she spoke, “Kade, I can’t.” Pain flashed in his eyes, but he didn’t speak. “This isn’t my life. I can’t give up everything for a man I don’t know. Kade, we don’t know each other. You may have a wolf to guide you, but I only have my experiences.”
     
    No one spoke for what seemed like an eternity. Then Kade bent down and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Her breath hitched as he leaned further to touch his lips to hers. His hand still in her hair, he pulled her to him, kissing her with a desperation she thought was only hers. Their tongues clashed, lips hungry and eager. Finally, Kade released her.
     
    “If that is your decision, I will let you go. I love you, Melanie Cross.” He lifted his arm as if to touch her once more, but let it fall.
     
    With one last look, he pleaded with her, but she didn’t know what to do. He left the circle, taking her heart with him.
     

     

     

 

     
    Chapter 11
     

     

     
    Kade sat on his porch, a beer in his hand. Though his metabolism would burn off the effects quickly – he needed to feel nothing. Numb. Anything to get his mind off the fact that he was mateless after meeting two potentials. Mateless after two meetings in the circle. Mel left him.
     
    You let her leave, you fool. Why didn’t you tie her up and keep her here. I’m sure there’s something you could’ve done to pass the time while she makes the right decision.
     
    Kade snorted at his wolf’s attitude. Though an image of Mel tied naked to his bed-posts flooded his mind. Fuck. He shook his head. She left. That delicious fantasy would never happen.
     
    Footsteps sounded on his driveway, altering Kade to an unwelcome guest.
     
    “Hello Kade, you look like shit.” The sickly sweet voice pinched his nerve endings.
     
    Tracy.
     
    Tall and curvy, her body lent itself to many pup’s wet dreams. Long chocolate brown hair flowed to her ass, hours of work evident in its perfection. His body didn’t react. She wasn’t Mel.
     
    “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your mate, Grant?” Fuck, that sounded jealous. No, he wasn’t jealous of Grant. One look at Mel and Kade knew – Tracy wasn’t for him. No, he was jealous of what Tracy and Grant shared. What he lost when he let Mel walk away.
     
    “That’s not a very nice greeting to someone you loved now is it?” She batted her eyes and pursed her lips. Typical, she needed something. What, he didn’t care. He just hoped she would leave so he could wallow in misery with his beer in peace. Was that too much to ask?
     
    “I never loved you, Tracy, you know that. I thought we could have something because of our wolves, but you didn’t want me either.” Pain made him honest and slightly bitter, but who the fuck cared.
     
    Tracy huffed. “Fine, Kade. Be an ass. But you are the fucking Heir of this Pack and you need to act like it. It was bad enough you were going to mate that human, but then you let her leave? I’m glad I picked Grant. You’re nothing.”
     
    A growl slipped from his lips and she cowered in fear. Tracy’s wolf possessed almost no strength, yet she was a bitch. Kade, however, didn’t give a shit. He wouldn’t move from his perch for anyone but the blonde who left him.
     
    “Leave Tracy.”
     
    “No Kade, I won’t. I’m sorry for saying that, but I need help.”
     
    “Go.”
     
    “But its Grant, he lost his job