04. My Mate (d)

ELISSE

I sneered at him, letting the heat in my words match the fire in my eyes. “You say you don’t need a mate … so why does your gaze burn with desire whenever it lands on me?”

He leaned closer, that arrogant smirk curling perfectly on his lips. “I said I don’t really need one, not that I don’t need one at all, Pupcake ... and judging by your stare, neither do you.”

A thin, irritated smile curved my lips.

Even though I was furious at what he’d done, and at his refusal to explain himself, I couldn’t control the aching urge to claim him. My wolf, Sera, was howling inside me, desperate to make him mine.

"What’s wrong? Go on, reject me as your mate, I dare you.”

It was a challenge I wanted so badly to accept, but I couldn’t. “I hate this.”

With a sudden shove, I pushed him backward onto the bed. Climbing over him, I straddled his chest, looking down at him like prey that I refused to let escape.

I whispered, “I hate you, but I can’t lose you even if I want to. You’re mine. I, Elisse La Rovan, am the mate of you, Alpha Dario Dravenhall."

His hands gripped my hips instantly. His voice was a low, dangerous warning. “Elisse …”

“What?”

“Don’t play with me,” he snarled, his fingers sliding to my waist. “You can’t push me away and then crawl on top of me like this.”

“You played me first, Alpha. Taste your own poison.”

His hips shifted beneath me, pressing deliberately. “Then, be quick, reject me … or claim me.”

I answered by crushing my lips to his.

My control snapped. His hands moved from my waist to my hair, holding me in place as he kissed me back with wild hunger. In one swift motion, he flipped us over so he was on top, without breaking the kiss.

My wolf surged forward, matching his ferocity, returning each kiss with untamed hunger.

He growled deep in his chest, his lips trailing down my neck, leaving bites and searing kisses.

“Mine,” he muttered against my skin before claiming my mouth again.

“Mine too … but I’m still angry to you,” I breathed, my voice breaking into a soft moan.

That sound seemed to drive him insane. He framed my face in his hands, kissing me hard, then pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “Then punish me, be angry."

“I’m very aggressive. You sure?”

His lips curved in a smirk. His hands slid down, gripping my thighs, hooking them around his waist. “I can already guess how aggressive you are."

"Oh really?"

"Go on. Show me, but remember … I can be aggressive too.”

I rolled his body so that I was back on top of his chest. Then, I sank my teeth on his neck.

“Fuck!” he hissed, his fingers tangling in my hair. Instead of pulling away, he tilted his head, giving me more. His body pressed hard against mine, unyielding. “Is that how you claim your mate?”

“I told you I’m aggressive.”

“Yes, you did … and I’m foolish enough to crave it.” His lips crashed against mine again, teeth grazing my bottom lip, sending a jolt straight to my core. “Bite me again, little beast, make me yours.”

I trailed my tongue slowly along the curve of his jaw, teasing the sensitive skin beneath his ear, savoring the shiver that rippled through him.

“You’re such a fucking tease,” he growled, pressing harder into me, heat and desire radiating from every inch of his body. His breath was hot against my neck, intoxicating and sharp, making my pulse race. “Does this mean you’re not so angry anymore?”

“I’m still angry."

“Bring it on,” he challenged, voice low and edged with heat. He spread his arms wide like he was offering himself up. “Show me how angry you can be.”

I unbuttoned his shirt one by one, my hands trembling with an uncontrollable desire. After two long years of waiting, I had finally found my mate.

He groaned, fists clenching at his sides to stop himself from taking control. “More …” he ground out through gritted teeth.

And, I had no intention of stopping.

***