The Designated Mate novel Chapter 74

"Welcome, ladies. Please, take a seat and make yourselves comfortable," I murmured while gesturing towards the two chairs across from me. Poppy smiled politely at me, but I could sense her nervousness as she sat. The girl she had with her followed her actions, but there wasn't an air of unease or nervousness around her at all. Call me crazy, but she might even be giving me a challenging look.

This bitch needs to be put in her fucking place. Shaking off the thoughts, I focused my gaze back on Poppy and worked up the most convincing charming smile I could muster. If I was going to be successful, I needed to make her feel like she was at ease here. Only then would she let her guard down. I couldn't capture and use her for manipulation if she was always glancing over her shoulder.

If she was smart, she would never let her guard down...I thought to myself before rubbing the palms of my hands together.

"So, you're both here because you'd like to take a look around my pack for potential mates?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.

"Yes, Alpha," Poppy rasped out softly. Demure too...how cute. "I'm Sam and this is my best friend Aubrey," she introduced, causing me to do my best to fight the condescending smile that wanted to break through. Using a fake name to try and throw me off...even cuter.

I had to admit, without Alpha Williams's tip I would've most likely allowed them in without second thought. They were both attractive and there didn't appear to be a motive behind their actions unless you were looking for one.

"Well, Sam and Aubrey, I'm going to grant you permission as we don't get these kinds of opportunities often - as you can imagine. I wish you both nothing but the best; my pack could really use wonderful women such as yourselves," I lied easily with a convincing smile, though Poppy's cautious gaze stayed locked firmly in place.

"Aubrey, my men will take you to a temporary room you can stay in while you're visiting. Sam, I'd like to have a word with you in private," I murmured. It wasn't a secret that I was an unmated Alpha and I wanted to see what she would do if I showed interest in her. I also just wanted to fuck with her mind...it was just too much fun.

"Sorry, but we don't separate anymore. You can probably imagine some of the awful things we've been put through during visits to certain packs, so we like to stick together at all times," the other bitch stated with a snarky undertone in her voice. I glared at her, but she didn't cower or look affected at all. This fucking bitch is going to get it...

"I know exactly what you mean," she agreed with a worried expression. "He gives me the creeps. Let's just wait about an hour in here to seem like we're getting settled and then we'll set out to try and catch anything we can. I wanna get the fuck outta here as quickly as possible," she muttered while rubbing the sides of her crossed arms with her hands.

"Sounds good to me," I mumbled before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. I rested my face in my hands before mind-linking Knox that Grace and I had safely infiltrated the pack. I could feel his worry and stress thick and heavy through our bond, wishing I could soothe him but knowing that nothing would besides me getting the heck out of here and back into his arms.

I didn't realize I'd dozed off until Grace snapped me out of it and motioned her head towards the door. I blew out a puff of air through my lips before hoisting myself up and nodding for her to lead the way. We stayed nearly plastered to each other's side as we walked through the halls. The pack house was absolutely massive and had been very clearly renovated. It had a modern, sterile aura to it. I hated it.

I re-focused my attention, memorizing every nook and cranny of the place that I could, unsure if I would need the information or not but knowing that having it was better than not. Grace abruptly stopped walking right outside two large wooden doors which I assumed lead to the pack dining room if the heavy smell of food was anything to go by.