My Human Mate novel Chapter 56

"I know that. Michael, he. He isn't in the best state right now." He worded carefully.

"Just get Jess to help him," I suggested childishly.

"What?" Michael obviously hadn't told Reece about what he did, so I just excused the statement.

"Alana, his asking for you. He needs your help." Reece said. I would have thought he pleaded but I couldn't be sure. The alpha blood in him wouldn't accept him stooping so low and pleading with anyone but his mate.

I knew from experience.

"Were not mates." I snapped angrily. "I can't fucking help him anymore so stop asking for my help. Don't call me again." I ended the call in a huff and dropped the phone to the bed.

It bounced off the mattress and landed somewhere on the floor amongst the other crap that already made a home down there.

I sighed and made my head fall into my hands. This call was unexpected and a situation I couldn't help with. We weren't mates. I broke the bond, the pull. I broke whatever connection we had and there was no fixing it. And now he probably hated me.

I felt bad for snapping at Reece, but it was called for. There was still something in me that made me attracted to Michael but I couldn't place what it is. The call made me feel as if the walls were coming in closer, boxing me in and eventually I'd agree. That was something I couldn't do.

It's best this way, I told myself. No one will die and we can move on. It was fun while it lasted.

Flopping back down on my bed, I closed my eyes and tried to fall into a sleep that didn't happen. Instead, I lay awake with a million thoughts running through my mind

All of them, involved Michael.

Forgive me, I'm trying to find

My calling, I'm calling at night

I don't mean to be a bother, but have you seen this girl?

She's been running through my dreams

And it's driving me crazy, it seems

I'm gonna ask her to marry me

The neighbour said, she moved away

Funny how it rained all day

I didn't think much of it then

But it's starting to all make sense

Oh, I can see now

That all of these clouds are following me

Smiling inwardly I made my way out the men's section to start my shift. I loved working in the men's section. The cool shirts that were there let me browse for myself and the guys weren't as busy or messy as the girls. Guys tended to know what they wanted and what their size was so they just walked in grabbed their size and left. None of the trying every size and then deciding the clothing isn't the right shade to go with their skin tone like the girls do.

There were the odd shirts and pants that needed folding and a tee shirt that wasn't sitting on the hanger right so I fixed that. Once it was tidy, I wandered over to the table filled with clothing for $10 and under. Folding most of the stuff there kept me busy for 10 minutes, then I helped an older man pick out a tee shirt for his nephews birthday. Helping was great fun. I find old people adorable and this one wasn't an acceptation. He had a grey balding head, with a pair of little glasses that were half falling off his nose. Even in this heat he managed to wear some shorts that showed of his knobby knees and a short sleeved button up shirt with a green bow tie.

Once I sent the man on his way to the front counter where Brooke would scan the items for him, I sighed happily and turned to put away some shirts the man had gone through. I spun on my heel, only to stifle a gasp when I came face a broad chest. The muscles were clear and well defined on the body and with a thumping heart from the shock of being so close to someone unexpectedly I looked upwards to become face to face with Alpha Reece.

"What, what are you doing here?" I questioned very confused. I was genuinely confused at why he would come. I thought that my message on the phone would be enough of a message to stay away from me, but I guess I was wrong.

"I know you told me on the phone to leave you alone," he said seriously. His arms were crossed over his muscular chest and his face was set hard in a commanding way. "But you need to come to Apollo Bay. It's urgent, or else I wouldn't have drove all the way down here and left Maddie while she's in her state in charge of the pack to drag you stubborn ass to help Michael."

It was pretty much a command that had been snuck into an explanation. I raised my eyebrows at him. "And why's that?" I questioned in a sarcastic voice. "Michael needs me, huh?" I almost laughed at the end of that."

"He does." Reece stated simply.

"We aren't mates. I rejected him." I reminded him bossily. "I can't help you, sorry. So unless you want to buy something, I suggest you leave now. I have a job to do." I turned my back to him and tried to ignore the slight rumble in his throat as a warning. Being an alpha, he wasn't used to being talked to and it seemed like he wasn't going to start taking orders today.

When I heard his next words, I froze mid stride. The words replayed though my mind, trying to see if I heard them correctly. My thought was confirmed when I finally spun to meet Reece. The look of pure anger and fury was on his face as well as worry and concern. He looked torn.

I felt my heart skip a beat and my blood run cold. Looking at Reece, looking so powerful and so angry was something else compares to seeing Michael angry. I had the feeling of safety near Michael and knew he would cause me any harm, but with Reece it was different.

His voice was angry and every word was laced with venom.

"Michael has attacked my mate, and his wolf is starting to go out of control."