My pulse quickened at the intensity of his gaze, making it difficult to breathe normally.
When he finished, his hands didn’t leave my body. Instead, they settled on my arms, holding me in place.
“You were dreaming about me last night,” Alex said suddenly, his voice low and certain. It wasn’t a question.
Heat rushed to my face. “How-”
“I could hear you,” he admitted, his fingers lingering on the now–fastened zipper. “My room is directly above yours. You called
my name.”
Mortification washed over me. Had I really been that loud? What else had he heard?
“What exactly was I doing to you in that dream?” he murmured, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Tell me, little wolf, am I bending you over in these dreams? Or are you riding my cock?”
“No!Nothing,” I lied, unable to meet his eyes in the mirror. “It was just a dream.”
He didn’t press further, but the knowing smirk on his face told me he wasn’t fooled.
“You look breathtaking,” Alex murmured, his eyes meeting mine in our reflection. “Every unmated wolf at that gala will want you, but they’ll all know you’re mine.” His hands slid slightly down my arms, possessively. “This dress makes me want to bend you over right here and bury my face in your sweet pussy until you scream.”
My core clenched at his words, warmth spreading through my lower belly.
Before I could process his obscene words, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. With practiced ease, he opened it to reveal a stunning necklace–emeralds set in intricate silver that matched the dress perfectly.
“Alex,” I gasped as he draped it around my neck, the cool stones resting against my heated skin. “This is too much.”
“Nothing is too much for my mate,” he replied simply, fastening the clasp and letting his fingers trail down my neck. “The emeralds match your eyes when you’re aroused… like now.” His fingertips traced along my collarbone, sending shivers down my spine. “I bet your pretty little cunt is the same color–pink and glistening wet, just begging for my tongue.”
I swallowed hard, acutely aware of how my body was responding to his word. The thin silk of the dress did nothing to hide my hardened nipples, and I could feel dampness gathering between my thighs.
“Alex…..“I instinctively took a small step forward, trying to put some distance between us. I need some space to breathe.
And then he pulled me back against his chest, I felt the unmistakable hardness of his arousal pressing against my lower back. The sensation sent me straight back to my dream–where that same hardness had filled me completely, stretching me in the most delicious way as he thrust relentlessly into me. My underwear grew damper at the memory,
“I can smell how wet you are,” Alex whispered. His hands slid from my shoulders to my waist, pulling me tighter against him. You’re soaked just from me talking to you? Fuck, I can’t wait to feel those tight walls clenching around my cock when I make you
come.”
His filthy words made my cheeks burn with equal parts embarrassment and arousal. “You should go,” I managed to say, though my body screamed for the opposite. “Lyra might come back.”
With a knowing smirk, he placed a burning kiss on the side of my neck before stepping back. His breath ghosted against my skin as he murmured, “We’re not done, Summer. Not even close.”
Just then, Lyra stepped inside–only to freeze when her eyes landed on me.
“Oh my God!” she squealed. “You look absolutely incredible! And the necklace–Alex, it’s perfect with the dress!”
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Chapter 43
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I touched the emeralds self–consciously, still stunned by the extravagance of the gift. “It’s too much,” I repeated.
“Nonsense,” Lyra dismissed. “You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the gala.”
“She’ll be the most beautiful woman in the room no matter what she wears,” Alex corrected, his eyes still fixed on me with an intensity that made my knees weak. “But yes, the dress is perfect.”
With that, he excused himself from the fitting room, leaving me blushing under Lyra’s knowing gaze.
“He’s completely smitten,” she declared once her brother was out of earshot. “I haven’t seen him look at anyone like that… well, ever.”
I cleared my throat, trying to calm my racing heart. “He’s just being nice.”
Lyra rolled her eyes. “Nice isn’t part of my brother’s vocabulary. Possessive, protective, passionate–those are Alex words. Nice? Not so much.”
Before I could respond, she was already moving on to shoes and clutches, but her words stayed with me. I touched the necklace again, realizing what it might mean.
The question was: was I ready to be claimed?
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