Alphas' Proud Mate novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

It feels like the air has been knocked out of my lungs, just stand there, frozen, my heart pounding far too hard against my chest.

Did: hear that right?

Live here? Win his heart? Be his?

My eyes instinctively flick to Jack–and for the briefest moment, I swear–I see it. The faintest twitch at the corner of his lips. A damn smile–or is it a

smirk?

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And just like that, it’s gone–vanished like it was never there. But I saw it.

Something twists painfully in my chest.

is he… enjoying this?

“Focus on what really matters,” my wolf growls inside my head, her voice sharp and jagged like broken glass. “Mate rejected the Alpha King’s offer–for us. Stop gawking like some jealous fool and claim him. He chose you. Stop being stupid. Accept him. Let him mark us now so we can throw that bitch out

before she takes what’s ours.”

But before I can respond, Jack’s voice cuts through the tension, deep and laced with something I can’t quite place.

Authority? Anger?

Or… protectiveness?

“What you’re asking is impossible, Lady Celestia,” he says firmly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I don’t even know how you found this place… but you’re not staying here. You can’t live with us. This house,” he gestures behind him, “was built for my mate and me to live in peace. You’re not welcome here. You don’t belong.”

My breath catches again–but this time, not from shock.

Us. Peace.

His words melt through my bones like warmth I didn’t know I needed. I can’t stop staring at him–that strong jaw, those unwavering eyes that only look

at me.

Is he really this protective… or is this just another illusion I’m foolish enough to believe?

Celestia scoffs. “Do I need to remind you of the gravity of this situation?” she says, her voice soaked in false concern. “Your little mutt laid hands on the future Luna Queen. She assaulted the only living heir to the throne. For her sake, I suggest you choose your next move carefully, Jack. Because I won’t be here, sure–but neither will your precious mate. I’ll have my father pierce a knife through her heart before the week is over.”

That’s it.

Enough.

“I don’t give a damn if your father is the Alpha King!” I snap without a second thought “You are not staying in this house. Over my dead body will that ever happen.”

Celestia’s mouth falls open in shock. Even Jack looks taken aback too, like he didn’t expect me to say anything–let alone that.

Good.

I’m just getting started.

“You want me gone?” I hiss, glaring into her cold, smug eyes. “Fine. Drag me to him, if you’ve got the balls. Let’s see who ends up with a knife in their

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Chapter 37

chest Let’s see how that ends for you.”

Jack shots beside me, jew tight–but then a desk, dangerous grin spread across his face. That rare and of prood smirk.

“You heard her,” he says coldby: “And my decision stands. Nothing is changing”

He adjusts his stanon, eyes hard and unreadable, “if you want to take this to your father, Celestia, then go ahead. I don’t mind going to war with the Apha King of that’s what & takes to protect her.”

My head whips to him “Jack, you’d go to war–”

But Celestia cuts me off, her voice thick with disbelief. “You’re willing to lose everything for a woman who doesn’t even bear your mark? She hasn’t even called you her mate. This isn’t love, Jack. This is you forcing yourself on someone who clearly doesn’t want you.”

She steps closer, her voice sharper now. “You’re an Alpha. Yet you can’t even control your own mate? What will others think? You’re throwing your reputation away And innocent warriors will die—for someone who won’t even stand beside you.”

“She’s the one person the Moon Goddess created for me to protect,” he says. “And I will protect her–no matter the cost. If shedding innocent blood is the price…so be it”

My heart nearly leaps out of my chest.

No, no–he can’t mean that.

I step forward, grabbing his arm. “Jack, I hiss. “We need to talk. Alone.

He opens his mouth–probably to argue–but I don’t wait. I don’t care that Lady Celestia is still standing there like some porcelain statue, watching me drag him away like a woman possessed.

I tighten my grip on his wrist and march down the hallway. I throw open the bedroom door and pull him inside, slamming it shut behind us. I stare up at him, his eyes narrow, but he doesn’t say a word at first.

Then, he scoffs–low and dangerous–and steps toward me with slow strides.

“You shouldn’t ever drag me away like that again,” Jack growls, stopping just inches from me. His body heat pours into mine, his presence overwhelming in the most distracting way. “Not in front of others. It sends the wrong message–makes them think you hold the power. That you’re the dominant one.”

1 blink up at him, his piercing gaze stealing the words right out of my mouth.

His scent–dark, earthy, intoxicating–wraps around me. I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry.

1–I’m sorry,” I mutter. “But you can’t go to war… not because of me. Not when your warriors–Jack, they’ll die.”

He leans closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “That’s all you wanted to say?” he murmurs. “That’s why you dragged me in here? Because for a moment… I thought you were finally ready to be claimed.”

“We make it work,” he says softly. “We take this one month and use it. Share a room. Build our connection. That’s the time I’ll give you to accept our bond. Don’t you think that’s fair?”

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