Free Alpha Bully by Sam Crescent Page B

tried
to work out the kinks that were in her shoulders. Slowly, she started to relax.
He was starting to realize when it came to Scarlett, he had to give her time to feel comfortable.
    “You’ve got a beautiful view.”
    “Thank you.”
    “The lake, do you go there often?”
    “Yes.” He leaned in close, breathing in her floral
scent.
    Don’t scare her away.
    He tightened his grip on her shoulders in an effort to
stop himself from scaring her.
    “This is beautiful.”
    Sliding his hands down from her shoulders, he rested
his hands on her waist.
    No, you’re beautiful, and I’m a fucking prick for not seeing it before.
    “Cheryl was wrong,” he said.
    She made to turn around, but he held her tightly.
    “I know you don’t believe me, but what she said is all
lies. You’re beautiful, Scarlett, and I’d be happy to call you my girl.”
    “Stop,” she said.
    Pressing his hand on her stomach, he rested his chin
on her shoulder. It was as close as he could get without scaring her. The urge
to press his face against her neck was strong, but he held it back. He kept
control over his wolf. It wouldn’t do him any good to lose control.
    “I’ll stop for now, Scarlett, but I’m not going to
hide what I want.”
    She pulled out of his arms to turn to look into his
eyes. “Please, stop.”
    He cupped her cheek, stroking over the dark bruise. “I
fucked up. I was an asshole to you, and nothing I say is going to change what I
said and did to you.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “But I’m going to
prove to you I’m a changed person, Scarlett. I’m going to prove to you that
when you’re in pain, hurt, crying, you’re going to come to me. I’ll take care
of you. I’ll be the one you depend on.”
    Someone knocked on the door, interrupting the moment.
Letting out a sigh, he glanced over to see his father on the threshold.
    “Carla wants to know if you’d like to call your
parents. She’s happy for you to invite them to dinner or at least to let them
know you’re here,” Luke said.
    “Yes.”
    She stepped away from him. His wolf pounced inside his
head, wanting to follow her. The moment she was gone, his father stepped into
the room.
    “Enough!”
    That one word silenced the wolf inside him. His wolf
grew silent until Marshall was able to take breaths without fear.
    “Thank you.”
    “You’ve got to take your time. Don’t rush.”
    “I’ve got a lot to make up for.”
    Luke sat beside him. “You’re not going to hurt her
with this other boy?”
    “No. Trey will fuck up on his own .
I’m not going to get involved. I’m going to show her she can depend on me
instead.”
    “I’m pleased you’ve finally decided to take that stand
and not another one.”
    Marshall wanted Trey out of the picture. “Is it
possible for her to be my mate?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “She’s human.”
    “Son, it has been years since a human mated with one
of us in this pack, but it’s not unheard of.” Luke stood. “She’s coming back
up. Your mate is designed to suit you, to complete you. Your wolf will know
what to do when the time is right.”
    Nodding, Marshall stayed sat as Scarlett appeared in
the doorway.
    “My parents couldn’t make dinner, but they’d like to
extend the invitation to you this weekend.”
    “I’d love to.” His father left them alone. Marshall
smiled at her. He’d do whatever it took to keep Scarlett in his life.
    ****
    The weekend came around too soon for Scarlett’s
liking. Her mother had dragged her out to the shops in order to prepare for
dinner.
    “What do they like?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t know them.” They were walking
up and down the aisles looking at everything they could.
    “Meat, men love meat.”
    “It’s not just Marshall and his dad.”
    “This is so hard.”
    Scarlett stopped when she saw Jack was in the store.
He was pushing a trolley while holding a list. The moment he saw her, he waved.
    “Marshall know you’re here?”
he asked, when