Chapter 11
My mother slapped my arm playfully, a mix of amusement and irritation in her eyes. “Don’t kid with me, Caiden. You need to take bold decisions now. For the betterment of the pack.”
Nina raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Like what?”
My mother leaned in. “You should consider doing what Aeson did.”
1 froze, my heart pounding in my chest. “What’s that?”
*Get a chosen Luna,” she said, her voice flat but firm.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at her, completely taken aback. My mother, the woman who had always encouraged me to wait for my fated mate, was now suggesting this? My breath caught in my throat.
I shook my head, disbelief filling me. “I won’t marry for alliances. I’ll marry for love. For my one true fated mate.”
“It’s taking forever,” she said softly, her eyes narrowing. “Maybe the goddess is upset with your dirty actions and doesn’t want to bless you with your fated mate.”
“Crap.”
I felt my heart race, anger bubbling up. What did she know? My mate was out there somewhere. I’ve found her at last.
Before my mother could go any further with the suggestion of a chosen mate-some alliance to play the political game-I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. I could feel the weight of her words still lingering in the air, but I wasn’t about to let her continue.
“Enjoy your package, alpha,” Nina teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked straight out of the room, leaving the conversation unfinished, my heart heavy with thoughts I didn’t want to face. The words about a chosen Luna echoed in my mind, but I wouldn’t allow them to settle.
I climbed the stairs to my room, the silence of the house pressing down on me. As soon as I opened the door, a strong, floral perfume hit me. It was subtle at first, but unmistakable. My senses sharpened. Someone was in here. I walked to the closet, unbuttoning my shirt.
“I’ve been waiting for you all day, Alpha.” Her voice-low, sultry, teasing-sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned to face the middle of my room, where Sara was lying on my bed, her body stretched out provocatively. The sheer curtains surrounding my bed were pulled apart with a soft tug, revealing her figure in all its glory.
My eyes ran over her, taking in her ginger curls that cascaded over her shoulders and framed her body. As she parted her legs slightly, my gaze dipped-just enough to see the curve of her bosom and the hint of what lay below. I didn’t feel the rush I expected, the familiar burn of desire that would normally make me reach for her without a second thought.
Instead, I stood frozen for a moment. My wolf, Kai, was silent.
“Something’s off,” he growled, his words more of a warning than an instinct. I pushed the discomfort aside, moving a step closer to her.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” she purred, her voice wrapping around me like honey. “Don’t you want to eat your main dish now?”
Sara moved toward me, her hands working to unbutton my shirt, teasing with every touch. As she slid the fabric off my shoulders, her fingers grazed my skin, sending little sparks of heat where they lingered. But even as she caressed me, the burning desire from earlier had vanished. The thoughts of indulging
in her were gone.
I had imagined this moment all morning, fantasizing about her in my bed, about losing myself in her again. But now? Now, it felt hollow.
1/2
Her hands slipped lower, fingers brushing over my v-line, aiming for my belt. I stopped her hand with mine, holding it firmly.
“Enough, Sara.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “What?”
“I don’t want any of this.”
Her expression shifted, confusion clouding her face. “Why? Don’t you love me again?”
I chuckled darkly. My hand found her chin and gripped it firmly, forcing her to look at me. Her lips curved into a playful smile, and she leaned in to kiss me. But I stopped her, my voice low as I whispered in her ear, “I don’t do ‘love.””
Her smile faltered, disappearing entirely. She blinked, a flicker of hurt flashing in her eyes before she regained her composure.
“I want us to break up, Sara.”
Her face twisted, disbelief replacing her previous teasing demeanor. “No. You don’t do love, but you certainly want to bend me over and fuck me right now. I know that.”
Before I could respond, she reached up to grab my face, pulling me toward her, kissing me with desperation. But I felt it-the sharp disapproval from my wolf. Kai was growling inside, his warning more urgent now.
I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Something inside me snapped, and I pushed her away, not gently.
“That’s it, Sara. I’m breaking up with you.”
Her eyes were wide, filled with disbelief and anger as she stumbled back. I didn’t wait for her to say anything else. I turned my back on her, my heart pounding in my chest, my thoughts spinning.
