Chapter 3 A Mistake

Reed’s POV

Her breath caught, and I saw the tremor run through her. But the way she looked at me now, wide-eyed, was making me lose the little control I had left.

“I need you,” I said. The words scraped out raw, but they were the truth.

Her chest tightened. “You… what?”

My hand lifted almost on its own, cupping her cheek. My fingers shook. “I can’t hold it back.”

“Reed—” she whispered, but I couldn’t stop. My lips crashed against hers, desperate, years of restraint burning to ash.

She pushed lightly against my chest at first, and I braced myself for rejection. But then her hands curled, clutching instead of pushing me away.

Heat surged. My kiss grew rougher, hungrier.

“Wait, I—” she tried, breaking the kiss.

“I can’t,” I murmured against her mouth, my wolf clawing at the surface. 

The world blurred, the faint scent of her skin, the way her body leaned into mine, the gold flashing at the edge of my vision.

“Ilaria,” I breathed, my voice hoarse. My wolf pushed through, fiercely. “Mine.”

She shivered, whispering my name. “Reed…”

That sound unraveled me.

Inside, my wolf roared with triumph. Fate had brought her here, into my arms, and I wasn’t letting her go.

The first thrust ripped a cry of pain from her. I froze above her, my eyes searching hers frantically. “I’m sorry,” I breathed.

Her fingers gripped my arm, her voice breaking on a whisper. “It’s… my first time.”

The words hit me and for a moment I paused. My forehead rested against hers, my breath unsteady. “Please… I can’t stop now. But I’ll be gentle. I swear it.”

She gave a nod, and something inside me relaxed. I moved carefully, fighting my own urgency.

Her hands found my shoulders, pulling me closer still. She was letting me in, trusting me, even in her fear.

The rhythm melted into waves of sensation. Her body moved with mine, as if it already knew what to do. I breathed against her ear. 

“Sweet… mine… only mine.”

A moan slipped from her, as her  back arched. “Reed…”

I groaned in return, raw and unrestrained, claiming her over and over. The room seemed to hold its breath, the night filled with gasps, moans, and whispered names.

One climax blurred into the next. I lost count of how many times my wolf whispered mine against her skin.

At last exhaustion claimed her and my arms tightened around her as though I’d never let her go.

As sleep pulled me under I whispered softly, brushing her ear. “You’re mine, Ilaria. Always.”

The morning light spilled across the bed, in soft gold. I opened my eyes to find her there, curled against me, her hair loose on my pillow, her scent wrapping around me like something I’d waited for all my life. 

For a moment, I let myself breathe her in. Warm honey with the faintest trace of wildflowers. My wolf stirred, possessive, satisfied. Ours.

Her lashes fluttered, confusion flickering in her eyes as she stirred. I felt her body stiffen when she realized where she was, and my chest tightened. I wanted to keep her safe here, in this bed, in my world. But the fear in her eyes reminded me otherwise.

“You’re awake?” I asked softly.

“Yes… Alpha Reed,” she whispered, like she was bracing herself.

The sound of my name on her lips did something to me. My chest warmed despite myself. “You remember me?” I asked, almost afraid she wouldn’t.

“I do. Your Beta came to our Pack house eight years ago.”

The faint joy I had slipped away as I got pulled back eight years in an instant.

Back then, I knew Ilaria was my fated mate. I was too young to claim her, too tied to duty, but I was sure. I sent her small gifts, hoping she would understand she was already mine. But she never replied.

Then I heard the rumors that she had a boyfriend, that her heart was with someone else. The words cut deep, but I forced myself to let her go. If she loved another, I thought I had no right to drag her into my life.

From the moment she brought me coffee, I recognized her as my fate mate. The way she looked at me made it clear she hadn't recognized me as the one who sought her out all those years ago. 

I once wondered if she avoided me because of my background—after all, Mountain Pack's reputation isn't exactly stellar. I tried calling her from an unfamiliar number, but she never picked up.

Did she dislike me? No—my wolf told me Ilaria couldn't identify us because she had no wolf. As I drank that coffee, I sensed something unusual within me. I thought, why not use this as an opportunity to claim Ilaria naturally?

Last night changed everything. Having her in my arms, hearing her whisper my name, was more than I had ever dreamed.

Now I want her more than ever. My wolf says she is ours. But in my heart, one question still burns.

Does she want me too, or is her heart still far from mine?

Ilaria’s POV

He sat up, leaning closer but careful not to touch me. His voice dropped, almost uncertain. “Ilaria… about last night. I don’t want you thinking I’ll walk away from this. Tell me what you need, whatever it is, I’ll make it happen.”

My chest tightened. Eight years ago Calista’s mocking voice rang in my head, flaunting the gifts she said came from him. He wanted her, not me.

Last night was nothing but a cruel twist of fate.

“There’s no need,” I said quickly.

“It was a mistake.” 

He stilled, eyes darkening. “It wasn’t a mistake for me.” 

The truth was too heavy. Calista’s coffee had started it, yet a part of me hadn’t wanted him to stop. Guilt and confusion tangled inside me.

“Forget it,” I whispered. “Forget it ever happened.”

I scrambled into my clothes, fumbling with the buttons. Reed didn’t stop me, only watched, his eyes heavy with something I couldn’t name.

“Goodbye, Alpha Reed.”I turned and ran from the room, my pulse pounding.

.Behind me, I didn’t see the way his hand lifted faintly, only to fall uselessly at his side.

The Pack house was quiet when I stepped inside, but the air felt heavy.

Voices carried from the sitting room. Calista’s sharp tone came first. “Father, she’s been sneaking around again. Always bringing shame to us. Do you really mean to keep her here?”

I froze at the doorway, but it was too late, both of them had seen me.

Bill’s eyes swept over me with disgust. “Pathetic. Can’t you do anything right? Always dragging this family down.”

Beta Bill sniffed the air, and his expression sharpened.

“What have you done?” he asked, voice rising. “You reek of Alpha Reed. You let him take your virginity? You little slut, just like your mother.”

“Don’t call her that,” I said, though my voice shook.

His eyes narrowed. “She was an Omega whore who seduced me.”

“She didn’t seduce you,” I snapped. “You kidnapped her and forced yourself on her. And six months ago, when she was poisoned with wolf venom, you could’ve paid for the surgery. Instead, you let me drop out of school to work.”

Bill’s face twisted. “Careful, girl.”

“You had her, then abandoned her. You let Calista and her mother torment her for years. And now you pretend you’re the victim?”

His hand shot out, yanking my hair so hard I cried out. “Ungrateful brat.”

A fist to my ribs knocked the air from me. A kick sent me sprawling into the corner. Another boot slammed into my shoulder.

“Think you can speak to me like that?” he shouted, raising his foot again—

“Dad?” Calista’s lips curved, satisfaction glittering in her eyes. “She’s nothing but trouble. Why not throw her out now? We’ll all be better for it.”

His grip loosened, his voice softening. “Ah, sweetheart.” He smiled at her like he hadn’t just beaten me bloody. “You’re going to be Alpha Reed’s Luna. I’ll make sure of it.”

He didn’t even look at me when he added, “From this moment, you and your mother are nothing to me. No more money for her treatment. You can both rot.”

“You can’t—”

“I can,” he cut in, voice cold.

At his signal, two men appeared. “Get her out of here.”

They dragged me toward the door. Calista’s smug smile followed me out. The last thing I saw was Bill’s arm around her shoulders, pride in his face like I’d never been his daughter at all.

The men shoved me outside. The heavy door slammed shut behind me. I stood frozen until the buzz of my phone snapped me back.

Payment Reminder: Hospital bill overdue.

The number on the screen hollowed me out. I had no time to wallow. I had to keep my mother alive.