The Code of The Alpha

Chapter Twenty - Shop 'Till You Drop

The soft tracing of fingertips down my arm is what pulled me from sleep the next morning.

I stirred for a moment, stopping when I realized where I was as my eyes opened to the high ceilings of Luca's bedroom.

Rolling over on my side, I felt Luca's hard body fill the space behind me, spooning me.

His arm wrapped around my waist and tucked itself under me.

"Buongiorno, amore," he whispered, his breath fanning against the nook of my shoulder.

I hummed in response, closing my eyes again.

He kissed the spot just under my ear.

My hand reached up to find his face, gently pushing his lips away from my neck.

"It's too early," I muttered, still half-asleep.

I heard Luca chuckle as he pulled me into him closer.

"I don't mind laying here until it's not," he said.

I jolted up, suddenly wide awake.

"Oh my God, what time is it?" I said, throwing the covers back.

He groaned as he rolled over to look at his phone.

"Quarter till eight."

"Shit, shit, shit," I muttered running across the room.

"Do you have a hot date?" He asked me, watching as I opened the bedroom door.

"Your sister," I explained shortly, running out of the room and through the living room, to the staircase and up to the loft.

I changed quickly, brushing my teeth and washing my face before swiping mascara over my lashes.

Luca was opening the front door for Norah when I came back down the stairs.

"So you're the reason I got cockblocked this morning," he said to her.

Norah scowled.

"No, I'm sure you did that on your own," she retorted.

She turned to me and smiled.

"Ready? I figured we could stop for coffee on the way."

I nodded, knowing I would desperately need the caffeine hit.

"Where are you going?" Luca asked, stopping me.

"To Missoula," I answered, putting my purse on my shoulder. "We're going shopping."

His eyebrows furrowed and he turned to Norah.

"I'm not sure I'm okay with that."

I let out an incredulous laugh, earning his attention once more.

"Would you have preferred I asked permission?" I asked sarcastically.

Luca pursed his lips.

"It's not that," he said. "It's just... you're not marked yet."

Norah shook her head, closing her eyes.

"Oh my God," she muttered. "Not this."

"I'm serious," Luca said defensively.

"Marked?" I asked. "You mean 'bitten'? Who still does that?"

"This is a traditional pack," Norah told me, "even if it's to our detriment."

She looked back at Luca.

"I'm not taking her to Skid Row," she said. "But don't worry, I'll be sure to tell the creep at Lululemon that she's taken."