006

Rosie’s POV

I shouldn't be doing this.

But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. That doesn't mean I won’t want to do it again—and that’s what scares me... my excitement at his touch.

His lips are soft against mine, gripping them firmly like they’re scared of letting go. It’s the kind of kiss I know I’ll want to feel again. The way his nails dig into my scalp as he pulls me forward splits my thoughts in two. Xylus would kill me if he ever found out I disobeyed him.

Yet here I am—enjoying, savouring—the Alpha’s kiss like it’s some foreign delicacy. Maybe it is.

I’ve never been kissed, yet I know he’s good at it. His hands haven’t even travelled to where I want them, yet I can feel the walls of my pussy clench, sending a heat through my thighs.

And just like that, his lips leave mine.

My eyes snap open immediately. My lips—still parted—are swollen and flushed, while my hands hang awkwardly from where they’d rested on his head.

It takes me about a second to realize what’s happening. When I do, I shut my mouth—already embarrassed—and my hands slump to my sides as I straighten up.

My eyes never leave him, searching his face for a trace of emotion. But his expression is void—blank—shutting me out completely. The only sound in the room is our heavy breathing.

Honestly, there's so much at the tip of my tongue, but I can’t bring myself to speak. I just stare, hoping he’ll be the one to break the silence.

He bends to pick up my book—the root of our moment of passion—and places it on my thighs. Then, without a word, he turns and heads to the door.

Just as he places his hand on the doorknob, he pauses. Then, with a low mutter just loud enough for me to hear, he says,

“This never happened.”

In other words, he’s telling me there was nothing to the kiss…

The door slams hard before I can think of what to say.

And I blink back a tear.

Dominic was gone. Just like that?

My brain spins like clockwork, questions pouring in like raindrops during a thunderstorm. I’ve never known Dominic to be mean to me. Sure, he treated me like a kid, just like Xylus did—teasing me playfully and making silly jokes—but not this.

I couldn’t even tell if he was pissed or overwhelmed like I was. Or maybe he regretted it? Or maybe… maybe he felt a spark like I did.

Or maybe I was just being a delusional seventeen-year-old teenager.

Xylus' POV

Apparently, no one was going to tell me about it . I just had to find out from my brother’s girlfriend, who he allegedly cheated on with my best friend. This shit is just messed up.

Rosie and I were supposed to go skateboarding today and then hang out with some of our friends at our favourite ice cream parlor. But from the looks of things, we were most likely not doing any of that.

Each step I take fuels my anger. I kick at the pebbles on the sidewalk, hands shoved deep into my pockets, a scowl on my face as my jaw twitches slightly.

Why did Dominic kiss her? Kick.

Did Rosie like him?

And if she didn’t, what if she started to, because of that stupid kiss? Another kick. I didn't give a damn that my legs were hiring more, it's nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

The more I think about them, the more I see them kissing—even though I wasn’t there. And it hurts like hell. Because when your brother, who knew you had a big-ass crush on your best friend, kisses that same best friend?

Boy, that’s betrayal.

Cassie warned me. Told me to keep Rosie away from Dominic. But I was mad at everyone, for different reasons.

Cassie, for yelling and acting like I had Rosie on a fucking leash—God, I wish I did though.

Rosie, for kissing my brother. Even when she knew she shouldn’t have crossed that line. We were best friends.

Is that your real reason?

My wolf, Saint, cuts through my thoughts, the scorn in his voice loud and clear.

I slam the mind-link shut.

Now I’m mad at him too.

But the person I really want to punch?

My dickhead of a brother. Dominic.

His betrayal is something I’m not going to forget… or forgive. He knew how I felt about Rosie. So did Xylus. And he still kissed her—like she was one of those random chicks he fucks and ghosts the next morning.

Rosie was mine.

He’s always gotten his way, ever since we were kids. Hell, I’ve lost count of how many times my parents made me give up what I wanted—just for him. And of course, he never cared.

He could have picked anyone. Any girl in the pack. All he had to do was flash that smug smirk that made girls squirm.

But no. He just had to have it all.

Not this time. Alpha or not, he crossed a line.

The journey of a thousand miles seems to come to an end. Rosie’s house is only a few blocks away. I quicken my pace, desperate to get to the bottom of all this.

I still need to hear from Rosie. But Dominic? He doesn’t get that benefit.

The front door swings open, and a very familiar face steps out.

I freeze mid-step. My fingers curl into a tight fist inside my jacket pocket as I glare. Rage boils in my blood as my jaw locks tight.

What the fuck was he doing there?

My heart slams against my chest, beating loud enough to pass for a goddamn Konga drum. A fresh wave of fury takes hold of me as I charge forward.

Fucking. Idiot.