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going,” Forrest said.
    His father picked that moment to join them. He stared at his oldest son for a second, then said, “Walk with me.”
    ****
    Instead of going back to the party, Bailey made her way toward the bathroom. Holy cripes, she’d basically gone into heat the minute Forrest Blackthorn spoke to her, and mercy, she’d practically drooled down her chin staring at him.
    Distracted by thoughts of Forrest, she crashed into the tall blond from the dinner table.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone high with panic. “How did you find me?”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    He grabbed her by the arm. “I told you I’d contact you.”
    Bailey was more confused than ever. Voices down the hall had the man breaking contact. Before she could ask him who he thought she was, he was practically running away. Bailey ducked into the bathroom. What the heck had that been about? That guy gave her the total creeps. Why did he think she’d followed him, or tracked him, as he’d put it?
    She heard Forrest out in the hall at a distance, and her lady bits went all jelly.
    “What is wrong with you?” She stared at her reflection in the mirror and ran her fingers under her eyes to straighten her eyeliner. She was a successful lawyer. A respected attorney.
    “I’m smart, damn it. Smart women don’t play with fire.” But she didn’t feel smart.
    Her nipples stood rigid under her blouse, and even through the lace, they were obviously erect, and the heat that had rushed to her pussy had left her with wet panties. She felt like a lust-filled kit, unable to control her own body. Lord, she hoped she didn’t have to sit down anywhere before the ceremony because that would be a spot she didn’t want to have to explain.
    Forrest’s voice was louder now, and Bailey held her breath when she recognized the other voice was his father. She wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. If she could have magically poofed away, she would have, but disappearing wasn’t an option.
    “This feels like an ambush, father,” Forrest said.
    “Call it what you want, son. Your mother and I have never pressed you to mate, but you are forty now and the new alpha, and you need a mate to help you.”
    “Doesn’t love matter?”
    “If we waited for you to fall in love, we’d be dead before you married.”
    Bailey felt the slice of Burn’s words. Whatever kind of asshole Forrest might be, it had been a harsh comment. Especially coming from his dad.
    “You will take part in the scenting ceremony tonight, Forrest. And you will choose a mate.”
    Bailey’s gut clenched. Forrest was being forced to participate. To choose a suitable female. One that would make him stronger in the pack. And it bothered her.
    Why? He’s a jerk. He’s cold. Evan and Lara had both said more than once that Forrest preferred numbers and contracts to people. It’s no wonder he was forty-years-old and alone. So why did the thought of him taking a mate make her want to throw up?
    She could still smell him on the other side of the door, his masculine musk lingering in the hall. But it had been quiet for over a minute, so she peeked into the hallway to make sure the coast was clear.
    Forrest stood there, his face unreadable as he stared at her. Bailey slammed the door shut between them and put her back to it.
    A knock startled her.
    “The ceremony starts in five minutes,” he said. “Don’t be late.”
    Fuuu-dge knuckles . She washed her hands as if she could wash the silly fool off of her and opened the door again. Forrest was gone. She shook her head. “I am a silly fool.”
     
     

Chapter Five
    The temperature had dropped at least ten degrees with the setting sun, and while it wasn’t cold at sixty-eight degrees, Bailey rubbed the goosebumps down on her forearms. She knew the raised bumps were less about the weather and more about the tall, dark, and brooding alpha who stood across the open yard from her with his arms crossed over his chest. His