Page 26 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“So, where are we going? To Tom’s Groceries? Then home?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

My eyebrows went up. Was he planning more than just getting groceries? “Maybe?”

“I need to pick up a new pair of pants while we’re out. There is a nice men’s clothing shop just down the block from the grocery store.”

“You need new pants?”

“I spilled paint on my other pair, and I can't get it out. So, instead of losing my mind over it, I'll buy some new pants.”

I snorted, unable to picture him painting anything. “Painting what exactly?”

“I was helping a neighbor paint her nursery a few days ago. I should have changed into sweatpants, but I was in a hurry and forgot.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “You were helping a neighbor paint her nursery? Where was her husband?”

He shrugged. “She isn’t married.”

“Okay, then, where is her boyfriend? Or is this your way of informing me you’ve fathered a child out of wedlock?”

He rolled his eyes. “No, it’s not mine. She has a boyfriend, but I didn’t pry why I was called. I get called for odd things a lot. I want open communication in my pack, and if someone wants me to come over and help, I will.”

“Painting a nursery? You didn’t know where her boyfriend was? Come on, Riley.”

“I didn’t ask. She called me and asked if I could come help, and I went.”

I looked back outside the window.

“You made a face.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You did. You made a face like you didn’t understand.”

I sighed. “I guess I don’t understand why she called you above everyone else.”

He frowned as he pulled into the parking lot. “She doesn’t have anyone else.”

I looked at him, a little surprised now. “You just said she had a boyfriend. I believe that's someone.”

“Her parents died when she was younger. She was an orphan until she was eighteen. She lived in our community homeless shelter for a few months before she saved enough money to find her own apartment.”

I suddenly felt terrible. “I didn’t know that. I just…I guess the role of Alpha is more than paper pushing.” I didn’t remember our Alpha doing anything like that. He very much believed in being at the top. He wanted people to respect him and follow the rules he set.

He gave me a half smirk. “The Alpha role is a lot more than just paper pushing.”

We got out and headed inside. Riley walked next to me, his steps even with mine. I found myself wondering. I went back and forth with how I viewed him. I knew people loved him, but I never saw it, and that was part of the problem. I never saw anything.

“Okay, so what else have you done?”

“Pardon?” He gave me a confused look now.

I waved a hand as he grabbed a cart. “You said it’s more than paper pushing. What exactly goes into a day of the Alpha? Tell some other things that you've done.”

He smirked this time. “My days vary.”

I scuffed. “Okay, smartass. Give me a general grasp.”