Rick's Reluctant Mate Read Online Free PDF Page B

coming from a human, he trusted that
fate wouldn't have destined them for each other if they weren't meant to be
together
    "You should go home, Ricky,"
Jordan said in a gruff, final-sounding tone. "This shouldn't have
happened, and it can never happen again." For a moment Rick thought the
man was going to cross the room and take him into his embrace, but then the
spell was broken and Jordan looked away. "I really am sorry."
    "Me too," Rick whispered. He
squeezed his eyes closed and wondered what the hell to do now.
     

  Chapter Four
     
    "I'm glad you decided to join us,"
Adrian Alateeka said as he led Rick into his office, "but are you sure you
don't want to finish your doctorate first? The job will still be here when
you're ready."
    "I'm ready now," Rick said very
clearly, hoping to end the discussion before it began. The past two days had
been a never-ending debate on how his future should unfold. First Cali and then
Rick's dad and his dad's partner, Trent, and then the alpha of Lupinville, and
even Cali's mom, and a whole lot of others who'd been
concerned he was making the wrong decision, or at least making a decision
without understanding the repercussions.
    There was nothing quite like being treated
as if he was a wet-behind-the-ears kid by a bunch of long-lived werewolves.
    In the end, the only person Rick had really
wanted to discuss anything with was the one person who'd been unavailable to
give his opinion.
    It hadn't helped at all when Aiden, Jordan's
closest friend for more than a century, had pulled Jordan aside for a quiet
discussion. Rick had no idea what they'd talked about, but ever since then
Jordan had steadfastly refused to speak to him, despite still shadowing Rick's
every move and continuing to keep him safe.
    After that Rick had gotten out of Lupinville
as quickly as possible, even changing his mind about asking the alpha to make
him a werewolf. His heart hurt enough as a human. He didn't want to imagine how
much harder it would be if he could truly feel the werewolf mate bond.
    The only good thing to come from his visit
to Lupinville was that Cali had been given permission by the alpha to stay in
college. She already planned to take on an increased course load now that she
didn't need to guard Rick, and would soon be joined by a couple of other werewolves
who'd recently graduated from Lupinville High.
    Rick was so deep in thought he almost forgot
that he was attending what was essentially a job interview. He tried to clear
his mind as he waited for Adrian Alateeka to start talking. The man was silent
for far longer than Rick had hoped—probably filtering through the various
scents coming off Rick the same way the werewolves in Lupinville did—so it was
a little disconcerting to see the man frown.
    "What about your mate?"
    Rick had taken several showers since the one
and only time he'd been with Jordan so he was more than surprised by Adrian's
comment. It must have shown on his face because Adrian shook his head and
grinned.
    "He's waiting out front."
    Rick had no idea how to respond to that.
"He's just trying to protect me. Sorry," he offered a little
nervously.
    "Don't be," an unfamiliar voice
said from the doorway. "I'd follow my mate to the ends of the Earth
too."
    "Rick, this is my brother, Brody. He
likes to step into conversations without an invitation."
    The new guy smiled unrepentantly, moved into
the office and took a seat on a comfortable-looking sofa. "Have you told
Rick how good his timing is?"
    Adrian laughed softly. "Brody is also
the impatient brother," Adrian said with a roll of his eyes, "but he
is right about the timing. We could really use your help to trace a few leads
that have gone cold on us."
    Rick nodded. This was why he was here. He
knew he could help. "Just tell me what you're looking for." He was
already reaching for his laptop.
    Adrian gave him a very serious look.
"Rick, I know I'm the one who brought you into this world…well 'our' world
at least," he said