Chapter 20: A date with the Alpha

“I wish there was a better way to prove it to you,” James says, giving me a wary look.

His fingers twitch like he wants to reach out and pull me close. I’m relieved when he doesn’t. The problem with his statement is that the mate bond, on my side of things, is completely nonexistent. I can feel a pull to him.

Yes, I find him attractive and I know I like him more than I should, but that has to do with him and not the mate bond. I could fall in love with and want him, but when I turn twenty-one and meet my mate, it would be as though I feel nothing for James—if he isn’t my real mate. There is no way for me to determine if what he is saying is true or not.

“I am just supposed to believe I’m your mate?” I ask him, my voice breathy. “Are you sure?”

“I am sure.” he chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m drawn to you, unlike anyone else. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Ivy, I’m not making this up. I can feel it tingling in my bones every time I am near you. You were