AlphainHiding by Lea Barrymire Page A

outside.” He pushed his hand across his hair.
“Everything is different.”
    She took pity on him and changed the subject. She didn’t
want him to feel like a science project or something—she knew what that felt
like and it sucked. She poured him a cup of coffee. “Here, drink this. After we
eat we’re running one more time and then we need to head back home.”
    Breakfast was quiet. Seth was buried in his own thoughts and
she really didn’t want to disturb him. They needed to start separating
themselves from each other and the situation. By the end of the day she would
be alone again and he would be home doing whatever he usually did on Monday
evenings. She couldn’t afford the emotional fallout if they kept playing. It
was one thing to spend a night having awesome sex. It was a totally different
thing to continue in the light of day. Emotional attachment and heartache were
right around the corner for her.
    “So what’s this pack run thing going on this weekend?”
    His question pulled her from her thoughts and shocked her
enough that she almost choked on the eggs she was eating. After a quick
coughing fit and a drink she tried to formulate her response. “Each full moon
my dad and the council sponsor a pack run on a huge patch of land we own. Those
aren’t as special as the one on Saturday. Three times a year we sponsor runs
that are supposed to be for single wolves looking for mates. The mated adults
act as referees of sorts, keeping males from overpowering females who aren’t
interested, that kind of thing.”
    “So, Saturday you and a bunch of other single females will
be running through the woods being chased by males trying to catch you and
force a mating?” His disgust was so thick she could almost taste it.
    “No, not exactly.” She sighed. How to make him understand?
“Shifters have a tough time finding true mates. These runs are set up for
singles looking for their mate. Everyone there is interested in either a fun
time or finding a permanent mate. It’s not mandatory to be there or to
participate—well, unless you’re me. There’s a meet-and-greet beforehand so the
participants can mingle. No one is ever forced to do anything.”
    “Your dad makes you go, doesn’t he?” Concern and something
close to revulsion colored his words.
    “Yeah, usually. I don’t have to this time, though. You’re my
free pass.” She chuckled but it didn’t hold nearly as much amusement as it
should have. “Usually I don’t mind doing pack things. I mean, that’s my job. I
do what needs to be done for the council and my dad and I get a paycheck for
it. Those runs, though, are just painful. I spend all night fighting. Sometimes
I wish I was a normal female.”
    “No you don’t. You like the power.” He snickered at her
scowl.
    “I guess.”
    “Think about it. If you were normal you’d be mated now and
wouldn’t be able to pull a power trip like at the diner. Right?”
    “You want to know something? I hate having to do that.
Sometimes, yes, it’s funny. Most of the time, though, I don’t want to do it. I
would love to be friends with some of those guys and definitely would like to
have unmated female friends.” She snorted at her own melancholy voice. She
waved away the conversation. “Ugh. Listen to me boohooing about my life.
Anyway, Saturday will be fun. You really should come out and meet some of the
other members of our pack. You might find you enjoy being around us now that
you and your furry self are friends.”
    “Em?” She looked up from her plate to find him concentrating
on her. “I don’t want a mate unless it’s you. Going to this thing on Saturday
is not really going to make me change my mind. I will attend if you want me to,
but don’t think I’m walking away with another female.”
    She sucked in a breath and contemplated her response. Her
wolf was doing happy spins in her head, and if she was honest with herself she
was happy about his words as well. She couldn’t let