The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,10

point?

Gently brushing the back of my knuckles along his exposed cheek, I fought to keep my voice level and hide the anguish that would tell him exactly how bad of shape he was in. I had no idea if he was alert enough to read subtleties of tone, if even on a subconscious level, but didn’t want to risk it.

"Elisha? I’m your new alpha. My name is Matthias. Can you wake up, honey?"

When his sole answer was a whimper, I leaned closer. His chest and abdomen rolled with each short breath as if his body struggled to get enough air. I startled back when he snarled and claws erupted from his fingertips. He thrashed, moving to scratch a patch of red bumps on his stomach where a clump of feathers were stuck to his sweaty flesh.

"No. Stop, now." I couldn't help the dominant alpha warning and accompanying growl. Protecting my mate was of utmost importance. If even from himself. Elisha's hands paused, trembling as they poised just over his pregnant belly.

His eyes opened.

Not much. Definitely not enough to get a sense of eye color. The hair on the back of my neck lifted when I felt his wolf watching me, but Elisha himself was too out of it to know who I was or would be to him.

His eyes weren't opening all the way because they were puffy and half-swollen. Something about those eyes triggered a memory. Several years ago, there had been a boy. I frowned, knowing this information was important, but I had to strain to bring it to mind.

What was bugging me? The boy… why was I picturing his young face?

That's right!

Shit. I remembered it clearly now. A boy at a park up near Sacramento had been stung by a bee and had an allergic reaction. The EpiPen Lucian produced had helped save him, but such tactics wouldn't work here. Of this, I felt sure. Elisha needed to be removed from the allergen. Quick, fast, and in a hurry. Wincing, I noticed the feathers stuck to the bloody claw marks on his butt.

Fuck. If this guy didn't have bad luck, he wouldn't have any at all, it seemed. Having an allergen touch his skin was bad enough, but in direct contact with his blood? Definitely not okay. I whipped off my jacket and flung it to the side, pulling my phone from my pocket as I toed off my shoes.

Jared answered on the first ring. "M-Matty? Why are you calling me? Is everything okay up there?"

Growling, I kicked my shoe, sending it flying toward a dresser across the room. "No. Everything is not okay. I'm taking Elisha into the bathroom, and we will be in the shower. By the time I get out, I would like the mattress and all of these goddamned feathers removed from the room. In addition to the aconite poisoning from the mating curse, it seems he’s also allergic to his own fucking bed. Can you fix it fast? Or maybe there’s another room where I can take him?"

Yes. Another room sounded better. A fresh room for a fresh start.

"Not a problem. I can have it fixed within ten minutes. There’s another bed the perfect size, in the guestroom we use when the territory chief or someone of his stature comes to visit. The mattress is brand new and won't take much to swap out."

I considered the concept, too frazzled to think clearly about the layout of the mansion. "How far away is this guestroom? Is it in this wing?"

"Yes, it's on the opposite end of the hall. Remember? It’s across from your childhood bedroom. If you want to move and are worried about either of you being seen, don’t worry. You have privacy because you're alone on the floor right now. I'll wait until I hear from you to proceed, okay?"

Did I want to claim my mate in the room he had shared with my uncle, where he experienced so many traumatic events? There was no question.

"Thank you, Jared. I will be moving my mate to the guest suite, which you may consider to be the new Alpha chambers. Do not allow anyone in this area while my mate is naked and vulnerable. I would hate for them to meet my wolf in full protection mode." I started to end the call, then remembered my manners. "Oh, and thanks, Jared. I'll be in touch."

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and scooped Elisha up. Holding him against my chest, I carried