The Alpha's Mate

Chapter 32

Presley

"Make sure to catch something good." Charlie pressed his hands against my chest. He smiled at me. "Come back to me safe?" He raised one of his brows at me. I chuckled and leaned down, kissing his lips. He knew very well he wouldn't have to worry about me. I could handle myself well.

"You take care of yourself now?" I kissed the top of his head. I snuck my hand in between us and placed it on his stomach. "Take care of our pup too. Rest and relax, baby." He smiled and nodded his head.

"I love you, Presley." He stood on his tippy toes, my hand left his stomach and wrapped around his waist protectively. Charlie pressed his soft lips to mine again, and I could almost smell his arousal. I stepped back from him, giving him a devilish smile.

"I love you, my angel." I cupped his face in my hand. "When I get home, I'll take care of you.

"Can we go?" Mateo mumbled. Jealousy was present in his appearance. I rolled my eyes and shook it off.

"Yes," I replied, wanting to ground my teeth together in annoyance.

After all that happened, I was surprised he still wanted to go on the hunting trip, just him and I. I felt comfortable leaving Charlie because our pack had several alphas that would look after my mate.

Karsen had finally joined the rest of his family in our pack a few days ago as the time neared for our mating ceremony.

"Bye, Charlie," Mateo pulled my mate into a hug. I tried to swallow down the growl that bubbled in my throat. I couldn't wait to tell him that we were sending him to another pack, and far away at that. Charlie stood stiff as a board, not hugging Mateo back. He had told me that he no longer felt comfortable around him, and he felt like something was off.

But nonetheless, I knew it was tearing him up inside to see a friend go. But I couldn't help but feel ecstatic inside for him to finally be gone from our pack. I was ready to tell him to pack his shit up when we got home, knowing he would no longer be able to touch my mate.

"Let's go," I grumbled lowly, not wanting to go on this hunting trip with him. I didn't know why I decided to go on this trip with him despite him getting booted from this pack. But I assumed Charlie still wanted to keep in contact with him later on. Even though I wished I'd never have to see that smug bastard ever again.

— — —

Later in the evening, we began to set up camp. It had gotten colder, and the sky reflected snow was in our future. We hadn't taken much with us, but enough to keep us warm and fed. I was on a mission to get certain meat for our mating ceremony that was requested by Charlie. I planned to find deer sometime in the morning time when they were more active. We sat in silence around the fire, eating the cans of chili we had brought along with us. There was nothing to say between the two of us.

Well, aside from the fact that I was to break the news to him that he was going to be transferred when we got back.

"Why did Charlie want us to hunt together." I could hear Mateo grumble under his breath, breaking the silence.

I let out a sigh, poking at the fire with a stick. The wood crackled a bit, and I threw the twig into the burning put. "He wanted to make sure you left on good terms," I replied. I guessed it would be best to tell him now than to tell him later.

"Left?" He raised one of his brows.

"Because of recent interferences, we decided it was best to send you to another pack." A look of anger crossed his face, and he clenched his jaw shut. "I have noticed it has become increasingly difficult to hold myself back when I see you touching him, let alone him being near you."