Mate Magic Read Online Free Page B

“I have to get back. I’ll see you again.” He saw her turn and run past her brother, who appeared to be shaken, and ran into the woods bordering Alpha house. She would be safe.
     
    *****
     
    Paul went and sat down at his family table, surprised that the reception was still going on. There was so much happiness here in the great hall, totally opposed to the scenes that he had witnessed outside. Bailey’s family and pack were broken; they would heal in time, but at what cost.
    Paul turned to his mother and father seeing their love and passion for each other. His father had leaned over and was whispering in his mother’s ear while she smiled. His mother’s cheeks turn pink as his father cupped her face in his large hands and placed a soft kiss to her mouth. His mother, Eva, pulled her face from his father’s strong grasp and turned away from the love of her life to look at her son.
    Paul felt like a peeping tom watching the play between his parents. He heard his mother’s soft voice, “Paulie, what’s wrong? You smell upset? Has something happened?”
    Paul gave his mother a genuine smile and replied. “Everything is fine. I just want to talk if that’s okay.” He looked to his father and nodded his head in respect.
    Paul ’s parents were wonderful people. His father towered over his mother by more than a foot and all of their kids had gotten his olive toned skin and dark brown hair. For the first time, Paul noticed the streaks of grey at his father’s temple and the tiny crinkles at the corner of his eyes. Paul’s father was the hard balancing out his mother’s softness. They were amazing parents and filled the house with a great deal of love and laughter.
    Paul ’s father, Kenneth, reached over and ran his hand through Paul’s dark brown hair like he was a small boy. Looking to his wife and mate, “I’m going to dance. When you’re done talking, come boogie with me, my love.”
    Eva stretched her neck to kiss her mate and smiled. “Save me a dance handsome.” Looking back to her son she sobered, “Okay, what’s going on?”
    Paul suddenly felt like a child. How did he begin this conversation with his mother? He wanted her advice so he better just spit it out. “I think I like a girl.”
    Eva could see her son was having a hard time talking to her, so it must be important. When she smelled his embarrassment she had an idea what was going on. At his comment about liking a girl she laughed. “You’ve liked many girls in your time. What do you mean?”
    Paul blushed and turned away. “I mean I think about her, a lot.”
    Eva smiled and turned her sons face back to her. “We saw you watching Bailey during the ceremony. Is she a nice girl? Does she think of you too?”
    “I don’t know. She belongs to another pack, and her family doesn’t like me, but I don’t want to be apart from her. I feel…different.” He didn’t know how to describe his reaction to her, especially to his mother.
    “Do you love her? Is she your mate?”
    “I wouldn’t know the slightest thing about mating. I just know I like her and need her in my life.”
    Eva gave him a small smile before continuing, “You like her scent?” he nodded. “You think of her often?” he nodded. “You want to be with her always, protect her?” he paused a moment then nodded. “You want to…bite her?”
    Paul rolled his eyes, “Mom, I can’t have this conversation with you. I just don’t know what to do. I need you to tell me what to do.”
    Eva grinned at her son. “You’ll know what to do, and when the time is right. If you’ll excuse me I have to go dance with your father.” She stood and kissed the top of his head. “You’ve grown into a wonderful man and I know that you’ll do the right thing. If she’s able to accept your magic into her, it’s a sign.”
    Paul ’s eyes widened, “How did you know?”
    “Your magic has…changed. It’ll return to normal but right now you smell…different. Not mated,