“Then you’re amazing, Landon. I don’t know how I ever would’ve survived without you.” She smiled at him, meaning every single word.
“I love you,” he said.
Alexa stared at him, shocked. “What?” She wasn’t expecting him to come out and say something like that.
“I know we’re mated, so it doesn’t matter if I feel it or not, but I wanted you to know. Alexa, I love you. I have loved you for a long time, and I know I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.” He chuckled. “I know I don’t deserve you. You’re way too fucking precious, but I’m going to spend my whole life proving to you that you made the right choice.”
“Landon, stop.”
“I love you. I don’t want to waste a moment not telling you.” He pushed some of her hair back.
She cupped his face. “I’ve … I’ve got to tell you something.”
Landon loved her.
As she stared into his clear blue eyes, she knew he spoke the truth, and it filled her with so much love, and so much joy.
He loved her and she loved him.
This wasn’t about Cheryl or the mating. In the past few months, she had seen what he could do. The man he’d become, and she loved him. She admired him. He was going to be one hell of an alpha. Alexa only hoped that with time, she would become the female he needed.
She opened her mouth about to tell him the truth, that she’d been in love with him all of her life and she had wanted to be with him, but their front door was suddenly slammed open.
Alexa screamed as she caught sight of her dad, Marcel, Drew, and Ben.
Landon shoved her behind him, grabbing a blanket and giving it to her but not caring about his own needs.
“What is going on?” Landon asked.
“Son, a rival claim has been made.”
“What?” she and Landon both asked.
“Cheryl is challenging Alexa’s claim to you. She wants the opportunity to fight your mate for a chance to win your hand. To become your mate.”
“Dad, fuck no. This isn’t happening.” He pointed at his neck. “I belong to Alexa. Not, Cheryl.”
“Son, I don’t make the rules. This has to happen.”
Alexa stared at Marcel.
“If you wish to keep Landon for yourself, then you must come with us. I cannot give you the location. You will find him by being his true mate. It will help to guide you. If you no longer wish to be bound to him, then ignore the calling, and you will be free.”
Tears filled her eyes, but Landon didn’t get the choice in the matter. He was dragged out of their home, this place that once felt like a prison but was now their home.
“Daddy?” she asked.
“I cannot help you, sweetheart. I can only say that you will know what to do. The answer, as always, is in your heart.”
She didn’t want Landon to be taken away.
As the door closed, the tears she’d tried to keep at bay spilled out. The pain, the anger, and the hurt all came crashing through her body.
She was going to fucking kill Cheryl. How dare that weak bitch even dare to take Landon from her. She had messed with the wrong mate.