Chapter 23
Caiden’s POV
I stepped into the packhouse, shaking off the strain clinging to my shoulders after enduring another one of my mother’s “chosen mate” lectures.
Her voice still echoed in my mind: “Caiden, it’s time you took a strong, noble woman by your side.”
Noble woman, my ass.
I climbed the staircase two steps at a time, ignoring the bustling energy of the packhouse below. My room was my sanctuary, the only place where I didn’t have to deal with anyone’s expectations-or so I thought.
As I reached my door, my mind drifted to Serena. Her wide, defiant eyes, the slight tremble in her lips when she spoke-she was different. And tomorrow, I’d see her again. The thought of her choosing my pack over Aeson’s sent a ripple of excitement through me, something I hadn’t felt in years.
I pushed the door open, but before I could even close it behind me, Harry, my beta, slipped in. His dark brows were furrowed, concern etched into every line of his face.
“Why do you want Serena to come to your pack so badly?” he asked, crossing his arms.
I shot him a glare, dropping onto the leather armchair near the window. “She’s my mate, Harry.”
“I know,” he said slowly, his tone deliberate. “But you made an offer after Aeson already did.”
“So bloody what?” I snapped, leaning forward as frustration clawed at my chest. “Aeson can’t have her. She’s going to accept my offer.” My fingers tightened around the armrests. “I need her close.”
Harry’s silence made me look at him. He was chewing on his bottom lip, a sure sign he was holding back something.
“What?” I demanded.
“She might consider his offer,” he said finally, his voice quiet.
The thought of Serena choosing Aeson’s pack made my blood boil. My jaw tightened, and I stood abruptly, pacing the room.
“Hell no. That’s not happening.” My voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Why did he even make that offer? It was unnecessary.”
Harry shrugged, an attempt at nonchalance. “Maybe he just wanted to give her options. Alpha Aeson’s like that—fair and practical.”
I turned sharply, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re my beta, Harry. Don’t defend him.”
He nodded, his mouth set in a thin line, knowing better than to argue. Then he left.
My mind raced, thinking of Serena-and Aeson. Why would he want her in his pack? The question lingered, sharp and unresolved.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, cutting through the silence of my room. I glanced at the screen, and Sara’s name flashed across it. I sighed, picking it up for a second before tossing it onto the bed. She could wait. I wasn’t in the mood to entertain her games right now.
Shrugging out of my shirt, I let it drop to the floor, my hands moving to unbuckle my belt with practiced ease. My pants pooled around my ankles, and I stepped out of them before heading to the bathroom. The mirror fogged slightly as I adjusted the water temperature, and soon the steady stream of the shower drowned out the thoughts in my head-or at least, I hoped it would.
Stepping into the shower box, the hot water cascaded down my body, relaxing my muscles. My eyes closed as I leaned my head back, letting the warmth envelop me. But instead of peace, her face appeared-Serena.
The intensity of her eyes haunted me, and a shiver ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the water. My hands pressed against the cool tiles as my
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mind betrayed me, conjuring images of her. Images I shouldn’t be entertaining.
But there she was, standing before me, bare and vulnerable. My imagination painted every curve of her body, her skin glistening with the same water that ran over mine. I could almost hear her soft, melodic moans as my hands slid over her, feeling her heat, her softness. My breath hitched, and I felt my body respond, a primal reaction that only she could evoke.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, my hand running down my chest as the tension coiled tighter in my abdomen. My thoughts ran wild, spiraling into forbidden territory, and I cursed myself for losing control.
Snapping out of it, I abruptly turned off the shower, the sound of water replaced by the pounding of my heartbeat. I grabbed a towel, scrubbing my face and running it over my damp hair. The cold air hit my skin as I stepped out of the bathroom, but it did little to calm the heat coursing through me.
My phone buzzed again. Sara. I picked it up this time, and as the screen lit up, a video preview played. My brows furrowed, but then my eyes widened as I realized what it was. Sara had sent me a clip of herself, fully exposed, her fingers working over her skin in a way that left nothing to the imagination.
The hunger in my chest deepened, primal and raw. My grip on the phone tightened as I debated what to do. Her number popped up on the screen-she was calling now. The temptation was maddening. I could hear her sultry voice coaxing me, and for a brief second, I considered answering, letting her provide the release my body so desperately craved.
But then my wolf stirred, a low growl echoing in my mind.
“No. She’s not the one.” The words were firm, unwavering. My hand hovered over the answer button, but I pulled it back, my wolf’s reprimand cutting through the haze of lust.
I tossed the phone aside, pacing the room with clenched fists.
“How long can I keep this up?” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my damp hair. The tension in my body was unbearable, my thoughts circling back to Serena.
I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. I just wish Serena was here. Close to me. The thought was a dangerous one, but I couldn’t shake it. The ache in my chest grew, and I knew-this wasn’t just desire. It was something far deeper.
And it was only a matter of time before I lost control.
