The Alpha Who Cursed His Mate novel Chapter 17

"This is the best food I've ever had," I say, chowing a bit of everything down.

"Oh, Boo-boo, stop it, you are just saying that," she blushes.

"No, I'm serious, Claire. You can cook for me anytime," I smile.

Once half the platters are empty, she pulls me in for another long kiss. She gives me a seductive look and takes my hand, leading me up the staircase to her bedroom. Nina and Moss watch as we go up the stairs.

We spend half an hour making out on her bed, she goes to unzip her dress, but I grab her hand and stop her. She gives me a worried look.

"What's wrong, Boo-boo? I thought you wanted this? Don't you want me?"

"Claire, I want this, but I'm not ready for us to take that step yet,"

"Why not? Don't you find me attractive?"

"Of course, I find you attractive. It's just that I'll be eighteen in a few weeks, and I want to wait and see if you are my mate or not,"

Her bottom lip trembles, and her eyes well up.

"Are you saying you don't think I'll be your mate?"

"No, well, no one knows but the Moon Goddess. So let's wait a few more weeks until we take that step, okay?"

"Even if we aren't mates, we can still… you know, make love to each other," she says, fluttering her eyes at me.

"I don't want to hurt you, Claire. I don't want to hurt more people than I already have, okay?"

"There is also the chance that I could be your mate so we can still be together in the meantime, right? Like boyfriend and girlfriend? Until we at least know?"

"Sure," I say and kiss her forehead, "We should go back and join the party?"

"They probably all think we have been doing the deed up here," she giggles. She is probably right. Great, I've probably pissed more people off now.

We return downstairs. Claire has a big grin on her face. Everyone is staring at us, but most are being discreet about it. I sit on the couch, and Claire clings to my arm and sits next to me. The next thing we know, May comes stomping out from the kitchen with a bucket filled with ice cubes and water and throws it over us.

"You bitch," Claire says as she is about to strike May across the face. I gently grab her wrist in time.