Free Alpha Lion: BBW Lion Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant Page B

home and change, and call him when she was ready, and they’d go out on their first actual date.
    She was excited to get dressed up for him. He’d only seen her in her awful uniform, and in the sweats she’d worn to the self-defense class.
    And in his shirt, and in nothing at all...she blushed a little, even though there was no one there to see it.
    The point was, she had clothes at home that actually flattered her, clothes that showed off her curves instead of fighting them.
    She couldn’t wait to see Dale’s face when she came out to meet him in a dress. Maybe the crimson one with the plunging neckline and the skirt that flared around her hips...it was definitely too much for breakfast, but for her it was a dinner date.
    Did she care if the waitress thought she was wearing the same clothes from last night? She did not.
    She hurried to get home, wondering where Dale was going to take her—the last time she’d been out for breakfast, it had been Sunday at noon with the girls from work, months ago.
    Summertime. They’d been sitting outside, eating waffles and sipping mimosas. It seemed like another world.
    But for the first time in a long time, she was happier with what she had.
    “Hi.”
    Sam stopped short on the sidewalk. She was almost to her doorstep, and her way was blocked by a young, tall man. He had rumpled dirty-blond hair and a stooped posture, and he had his arms out a bit, so he took up the whole sidewalk.
    “Hi,” Sam said warily, wondering if he was about to ask her for money.
    “You’re Samantha,” the young man said.

Sam took a step back. “How do you know my name?” Was this guy a part of the pride? He didn’t look like he was related to Dale, but neither did Lynn.
    The young man smiled. “You’re Dale’s mate.”
    How could he know that? Had Dale spent yesterday telling everyone he knew? Sam wished he’d have waited to talk to her, if so.
    Also, “How do you know where I live?”
    “I read it in your registration form,” the guy said, still smiling. It was not a pleasant smile. “You should really be more careful.”
    Sam put her hand on her nightstick. “Please let me past.”
    She was going to run up into her building, lock the door, and call Dale. Just as soon as he—
    “No.” He smiled wider, showing a lot of teeth.
    “What do you want?” Sam took a step backward, and another. She’d draw her nightstick and get in one good swing, and then—
    She bumped into something behind her, and jumped.
    “It’s not about what he wants,” said a deep voice, and she stifled a shriek and spun around. There was a big, tall man in an expensive suit standing behind her. “It’s about what I want.”
    “Who are you?” Sam asked in as steady a voice as she could manage, although she was pretty sure she knew.
    “My name is Alan Chapman.” The man smiled, and Sam shivered. “It’s nice to meet you, Samantha.”
    * * *
    Dale had spent the last day alternately stupidly happy and strangely uncertain. He wasn’t used to either feeling, and it had made for a surreal day yesterday.
    Lynn had definitely noticed that he was distracted, but she had just smirked and gone about her business, leaving Dale to teach his classes and do his paperwork as best he could before heading home.
    He’d spent a long time that night lying awake, wishing Sam were there beside him instead of at a job where she could be in danger at any moment.
    But as much as he wanted to tell her to quit, that he’d support her, he wasn’t going to presume to dictate her life.
    Today at breakfast, he decided, he would offer . He’d say that if she wanted, he’d be happy to have her move in with him. He had plenty of money to pay the bills and support her until she found another job she wanted.
    Maybe he could even convince Lynn to offer her the assistant position at the studio.
    He knew he wanted her to live with him, though. He wanted to spent the rest of their lives together. And for the first time in his life, he was