Alpha Mated Box Set (Alpha Billionaire Werewolf Shifter Romance)

by Mac Flynn

  He chuckled and bowed his head. "I look forward to it."

  2

  David left, and I returned to my cubicle. I found Ruth seated in my chair with her arms folded across her chest.

  I stopped in the doorway and frowned. "What?"

  She arched an eyebrow and tapped the floor with the toe of one shoe. "You know what."

  I plopped down in my spare chair and frowned. "No, what?"

  She stopped her tapping and leaned forward towards me. Her narrowed eyes studied my face. "Where were you yesterday?"

  "On my death bed, why?"

  "Was the doctor who revived you cute?"

  I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. "And annoying."

  "He didn't happen to be a certain billionaire we both know, would he?"

  I dropped my hand to my side and sighed. "Fine, you've got me. I've been dating the guy since Friday."

  Her eyes widened. "As in last Friday? When I asked you to take care of my stuff for me?"

  I nodded. "That's how we met, on the elevator going down."

  Ruth squealed and clapped her hands. "Cupid wins again!"

  I blinked at her. "Come again?"

  She gestured to herself. "Me as matchmaker, silly! I wanted to get you a guy, and I did! And what a catch!"

  I glanced at my watch and frowned. "And do I have a few choice words for my choice catch."

  I spent the rest of the long, not-relaxing day alternating between fending off questions from my friend and worrying about same said friend. Her perky attitude belied some darker problem that she either wouldn't admit or wasn't aware of.

  That night we left together and rode the elevator down to the garage. We were the only ones on that trip down. My eyes flickered over to her. She was pale again.

  Ruth winked back at me. "You don't have to worry. I won't tell anyone about your sugar daddy."

  "I'm worried about you," I told her.

  She grinned and shrugged. "I'll be okay. It's probably just a cold or something. That time of year, you know."

  The elevator reached the subterranean garage. We stepped out and Ruth spun around to face me.

  That's when she collapsed.

  "Ruth!" I yelled.

  I caught her before she hit the ground and lowered her to the cool pavement. Her body felt cold and her eyes were rolled back so I could see the whites.

  I shook my friend. "Ruth? Ruth, can you hear me?"

  Her jaw dropped open. A faint white mist floated out of her mouth. I started back and watched the bulbous body of the mist curl up a foot while its tapering tail lingered deep within Ruth.

  I nearly choked on my words. "What the hell?"

  Ruth shifted in my arms. The white mist drew itself back into her body through her mouth. Ruth's eyes rolled back to their rightful position, but she didn't respond to me.

  I leaned down and shook her. "Ruth? Ruth, can you hear me?"

  It was just after five so there were dozens of people still in the garage. Many rushed over to us, and some of them pulled out their phones. It was a few minutes later that the ambulance arrived. I grabbed her dropped purse and climbed into the back of the vehicle for the trip to the hospital. The doctor had me sit in the hall outside the emergency room. That was where I received the call.

  I glanced down at my phone and read the name. I pursed my lips and put the phone to my ear. "I didn't put your number in my phone."

  "I had Puer do it while you weren't looking, but where are you?" David questioned me.

  My eyes flickered to the white doors of the emergency room. "At the hospital."

  His panicked voice made me cringe. "What? Are you hurt? What happened?"

  "I'm not the one in the hospital, my friend Ruth is," I told him. "She collapsed in the garage. I think you might want to come down here and look at her."

  I could just imagine his cute furrowed brow. "Me? Why?"

  "Because-" One of the swinging doors to the emergency room opened. The doctor stepped out. His eyes fell on me and he gestured to me. "I gotta go."

  "Wait-" I canceled the call and stood.

  My heart skipped several beats. I felt my lips dry out. "Is she all right?"

  The doctor smiled and nodded. "She'll be fine. It was only a slight attack of anemia."

  I blinked at him. That was the last disease I expected from my rambunctious friend. "Anemia? How?"

  He shrugged. "Sometimes these things just happen, but she wishes to see you. We've transferred her to a separate room for observation, but she should be able to leave in an hour or so."

  He led me a few doors down the hall to a long room filled with beds. Flimsy rods on wheels with curtains provided the only privacy. Ruth lay on one of those white-sheeted beds with the blanket pulled up to her chin. Her pallor wasn't too different from the bleach-white sheet.

  A nurse stood at her side, and the pair of them talked in low voices. I walked over to her bedside.

  The nurse turned at my coming and smiled at me. "You must be Dakota. Ruth's told me so much about you."

  I smiled down at my pale friend. "I'm sure it's all lies." Ruth returned my smile.

  The nurse chuckled. "I'm sure they're not, but I'll leave you two alone for ten minutes, then Ruth has to rest."

  I nodded. The nurse stepped out of the small makeshift room and shut the curtain behind her to give us privacy. I took a seat in a chair close beside Ruth's bed and looked around.

  "Reminds me of the office," I commented.

  Ruth shook her head. "The wallpaper's a lot better."

  I snorted. "But you haven't tried the food yet."

  She shuddered and looked away. "I'm not really that hungry."

  I furrowed my brow. "Is that why you have anemia? Because you haven't been eating?" Ruth pursed her lips, but nodded. "Why not?"

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just not hungry." She looked back at me and smiled. "But I promise I'll eat at our double-date tomorrow. It's still on, right?"

  I reached out and squeezed her hand. "If it'll get you to eat, I'll have all your meals with you, and I'll drag along David to pay the bill."

  She smiled and I saw that familiar twinkle in her eyes. "It's a date."

  The curtain opened and the nurse stood in the entrance. "It's time."

  I stood. My hand reluctantly slipped from Ruth's. "See you in an hour," she told me.

  I nodded. "I'll be here."

  I left the long white room and went out to the waiting room at the front of the hospital. My butt barely touched the seat when the doors slid open and David hurried in. Puer was close behind, but a little more winded. David swept his eyes over the room. His gaze fell on me, and he hurried to occupy the empty seat beside me.

  He grasped my hands and inspected my personage. "You're sure you're all right?"

  I rolled my eyes and nodded. "I'm here because Ruth collapsed, remember?"

  He pursed his lips. "It isn't catching, is it?"

  I furrowed my brow and glanced down the hall in the direction of her room. "Only if the white mist is contagious."

  David arched an eyebrow. "White mist?"

  I returned my attention to him and gave a nod. "Yeah. When she was knocked out a weird mist came out of her mouth and floated a foot over her head. It kind of looked like a really stretched light bulb."

  David's eyes hardened. "And you say this came out of her mouth?"

  I nodded. "Yeah, why? You think you know what it is?"

  "Was it translucent?" he persisted.

  I narrowed my eyes. "I could see through most of it, but what's this about? What was it?"

  He shook his head. "I'm not sure, but I know someone who can tell us."

  "Cotio?" I guessed.

  He shook his head. "No. We don't have anything solid to give to him, and besides, he's not a doctor."

  I gestured around us. "You're in the right place for one of those."

  He smiled. "I'm not quite meaning the usual kind. I'm referring to my persona
l physician, a man by the name of Vincent Ficus."

  I arched an eyebrow. "Is he a man, or does he just fake that?"

  David chuckled. "You'll see. Would you like to see him now?"

  I shook my head. "Nope. You and I have to give a ride to Ruth in an-" A ringtone echoed out of Ruth's purse that I still held. I opened the purse and pulled out her phone. The name read 'Doug.' I took a deep breath and answered it. "Hello, Doug."

  "Ruth?" a melodious male voice replied.

  "No, this is Dakota, Ruth's friend from the office. Are you sitting down?"

  I could hear him suck in some air. "Yes, why? What's happened? Where's Ruth?"

  "She collapsed after work, but she's fine. The doctors said it was just a slight attack of anemia," I assured him. "She's still in the hospital, but they'll release in her in an hour."

  "Which hospital? I'd like to see her."

  I told him, and that ended our conversation. I dropped the phone back into the purse and glanced at David. "The boyfriend's coming."

  3

  David leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "Tell me everything you noticed about your friend's illness. When did it start?"

  I shrugged. "As far as I know just today, or maybe yesterday. I'd know better if a certain wolfy man hadn't dragged me around yesterday."

  He furrowed his brow. "We'll have to catch that wolfy man and scold him, but later. When was the last time you saw your friend?"

  "Last Friday. She left at five to meet up with the boyfriend, a guy by the name of Douglas Gardi."

  "And she was healthy then?"

  I nodded. "As healthy as a horse, and with as much energy. I don't think she's ever used her sick leave."

  He stroked his chin. "How very odd." His eyes flickered to Puer. "Could you call Dr. Ficus and ask him how late we can visit him tonight? Tell him it's for a consultation for a friend."

  Puer bowed and left the waiting room.

  I arched an eyebrow. "So what's so important about seeing this doc? He a vampire or something?"

  David smiled. "Or something, but he's very knowledgeable in this area."

  "And what is this area we're dealing with?" I persisted.

  David leaned towards me and lowered his voice so the women at the front desk couldn't overhear us. "What you described was certainly not normal."

  I snorted. "I don't know. It sounds like it's right up your alley."

  The doors opened and a gentleman stepped into the waiting room. He wore a black overcoat and black shoes. Beneath the coat was a dark blue suit without a tie, but clean and pressed to perfection. His bespectacled eyes swept over the room as he swept his broad-brimmed hat off his head.

  I straightened. "Mr. Gardi?"

  He hurried over to us. "Miss Combes, I presume."

  I smiled and held out my hand. "I'm not Livingstone."

  He returned my smile and shook my hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Ruth's told me so much about you." He fingered his hat and glanced around us. "Could I possibly see her?"

  I stood and dropped our purses onto the seat. "Sure. Just-" David coughed into his fist. I rolled my eyes and gestured to him. "This is Mr. David Dives, my boyfriend."

  Gardi turned to David. His face fell a little, but he stiffly bowed to him. "Good evening."

  David stood, smiled and returned the bow. "Good evening."

  Gardi turned to me. "Now if you'll show me to Ruth."

  I swept my arm towards the hallway. "This way."

  Gardi followed behind me as we clacked our way down the empty white halls. His deep, reverberating voice broke the silence like a knife through butter. "Your friend seemed eager to meet me."

  I shrugged. "David's a little odd."

  Gardi arched an eyebrow, but a sly smile played on his lips. "Is he? I hadn't noticed."

  We arrived at Ruth's shared room. She was awake, and her eyes lit up when her gaze fell on Gardi. "Doug!"

  He rushed forward and grasped one of her hands in his. "Ruth! What happened?"

  She smiled and shook her head. "I guess I forgot to eat my Wheaties this morning."

  He took a seat on the stool and returned her smile. "I suppose this means our date is off for tonight."

  He shook his head. "No. We'll have it right here, and then I'll take you home." I took that as my cue to leave, and retreated back to the waiting room.

  David was back in his seat with a furrowed brow. I plopped myself beside him and sighed. "Looks like we can go any time. Mr. Fancy-pants offered to take her home."

  David continued to look straight ahead without speaking. I noticed his cute little nose twitched, so I pinched it between two fingers. He started back and pulled himself free from my pincer grip.

  "Careful on the nostrils! They're delicate instruments!" he scolded me.

  I arched an eyebrow. "Why were they instrumenting so fast?"

  David's face fell and he glanced in the direction of Ruth's room. "Did you notice anything strange about your friend's boyfriend?"

  I shrugged. "Only that he must be rich to be taking her to places in that suit."

  "Nothing else?" he persisted.

  I frowned. "Was there something else I was supposed to see?"

  "No, smell, but you've told me all I needed to know." He stood and offered me his arm. "Now how about we go home and get some rest for ourselves."

  I snorted, but accepted his arm and let him pull me up. "I have a feeling rest isn't what you're looking for."

  He grinned. "Perhaps not, but it does involve home."

  "And a bed," I added.

  David chuckled. "Perhaps, but let's go."

  Puer met us by the limo. "Dr. Ficus says he isn't accepting patients, or consultations, this evening, but would be glad to see you tomorrow in the early afternoon."

  David shrugged. "I guess that settles our evening, and tomorrow afternoon."

  We had a short detour to pick up my car from the company garage, but in an hour we were both back at the wolf mansion. Puer prepared a quick bite on a platter, and David picked it up and led me upstairs to our bedroom. He set the food on the foot of the bed and plucked a piece of thinly sliced ham from the pile of meats.

  I took a seat beside the food and watched him pace the floor as he munched away on his delicacy. "You're pacing."

  "My feet are thinking," he quipped.

  I arched an eyebrow. "It's about Ruth's boyfriend, isn't it?"

  He nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. I can't quite put my finger on the problem, but there was a problem with him."

  I fell back atop the covers. "Next you're going to say he's the reason she has anemia." David paused and stared straight ahead at a wall. His lips were pursed. I lifted my head and frowned. "You're not going to say that, are you? People just don't give other people anemia."

  "Nor do people have white mist float out of their mouths when they're unconscious," he pointed out.

  I sat up and shrugged. "Maybe it was the lighting in the place. I should complain to the owner about that dark dungeon he makes us poor employees use while he sits at home goofing off all day."

  David turned to me. His mischievous smile slipped onto his delicious lips. "I keep myself busy."

  I snorted. "With what?"

  David took the platter off the bed and set it on the vanity. He glanced at me through the mirror, and I noticed his eyes held a tinge of yellow. "With thinking how I can best please you."

  I frowned and shoved the last of my food into my mouth. "You can please me by putting that tray back."

  He half-turned to me and removed his shirt. "I think I have a better plan."

  My pulse quickened. I scooted to the head of the bed as he strode over to the foot. There was a noticeable bulge in his pants and his muscles stretched and expanded. That familiar scent of lust washed over me. I breathed deep and shuddered. My body broke out in a thick sweat. I grasped the covers as he crawled onto the bed. My swollen breasts pushed against the front of my tight shirt.

  My mate reached me an
d set his hands on either side of me. A feral grin graced his lips as his yellow eyes swept over me. His voice was deep and lustful. "Mine."

  He leaned forward and caught my lips in a passionate kiss. One of his hands roamed up my side and cut away the buttons of my shirt. My breasts pushed the shirt open and strained against my bra. His hand cupped one of my breasts, and I groaned as his fingers massaged my luscious mound.

  He broke our kiss and left a searing trail of more of them down my neck. I moaned and squirmed. His hand slipped down and sliced open the side of my jeans. My thick thighs bulged out, and he toyed with the tingling skin. I slipped my back onto the sheets and he covered himself with me.

  His hands were everywhere, groping and teasing me. Every tantalizing touch heightened the hot ache inside me. Every slip of his finger against my bare flesh reminded me I was his to dominate, to do with what he pleased, and what pleased him pleased us both. I reveled in his caresses, his wonderful, teasing love-making.

  One of his fingers slipped into my underwear. He brushed against my sensitive bundle of nerves. Pleasure shot through my body and made me jump. I clenched the sheets and shuddered.

  "Oh god," I whispered.

  He lifted his head. Those beautiful yellow eyes gazed down at me with a burning light. His lip curled back to reveal sharp fangs and a lustful grin. "Yes," he growled.

  He took me then with a wild passion that only lovers can experience. Our clothes were thrown aside. The time flew by in a passionate haze of lust. His lips were everywhere, tasting me and loving me. I arched into his hot mouth even as his hands danced across my trembling flesh. His hands touched me and teased me, exploring every curve and mound. My body was on fire. My mewing sounds echoed off the walls. I moaned and panted. Our sweat-soaked bodies rubbed against each other in a terrible friction that heightened our pleasure, yet did not satisfy it.

  He took me swiftly and forcefully. Every thrust of his swollen manhood was a shock of pleasure to my trembling body. His grunts filled my ears even as my cries grew to chants of lustful need.

  "Yes. Oh god, yes. More. Please more."

  He penetrated me again and again. My breasts rubbed against his hard chest, sending tingles through my body. I squirmed and thrashed beneath him. My body ached for completion, for a finish to this lustful dance that I hungered for, yet wished to end.