Chapter 7

Kane's POV 

When we reached the room I’d given her, I shut the door behind us.

She turned to face me, eyes wide. “Kane—”

“Don’t.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. “Not right now.”

Her hands twisted together. “You can’t just pretend that didn’t happen.”

“I’m not pretending,” I said. “I’m thinking about how to keep you safe.”

Her brows pulled together. “Safe from what? They’re your brothers.”

“They’re still Alphas,” I said. “And when it comes to a mate bond, blood doesn’t stop a fight, it only makes it worse.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “I didn’t ask for this.”

“I know.” I stepped closer, letting her see I wasn’t angry with her. “But it’s here and until I figure out how to handle it, you stay close to me. You can’t just wander off here,” I said, my voice still low. “Not with Zack sniffing around and especially not with Lucas being… Lucas.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

I brushed my thumb along her jaw. “Good.”

Immediately my thumb came in contact with her skin, Rafe stirred inside me, he was restless and loud. Touch her, show her she’s ours, make them smell it on her.

Her skin was warm, soft and the faintest tremor in her muscles telling me she felt it too.

I slid my thumb slowly along her cheek. The bond flared, it was like a hot thread between us that pulled tighter with every second.

“You’re mine, Ava,” I said, my voice rough. “No one else”

“I'm not letting anyone else have you”

She swallowed hard, her eyes lowering a little, like she couldn’t look at me for too long without losing herself. I lifted her chin, making her meet my gaze.

Rafe pushed harder, close the distance, claim her.

I lowered my head until our foreheads touched. Her breath brushed my lips, I was losing control.

I leaned in and kissed her slowly, she didn’t pull away, her fingers curled in the front of my shirt, holding on like she needed the contact as much as I did.

Rafe growled in satisfaction. Ours.

I kissed her deeper, my hand moving from her jaw to the back of her neck, keeping her close. Her lips opened for me and her taste rushed through me like fire in my veins.

A soft moan slipped from her lips, sending heat rushing through me. I pressed closer, letting my body say what my mouth couldn’t. Her chest rose against mine, her breathing was quick and shaky.

My hand slid to her hip, fingers gripping her curve. She shivered under my touch and hunger burned inside me. Rafe was in a frenzy, urging me to take, to mark, to seal the bond right now.

Mine. Mark her now.

Not yet.

It took everything I had to slow down, to keep from taking it further. My thumb brushed against the edge of her mouth when I pulled back just enough to look at her. Her lips were parted, slightly swollen from the kiss, her cheeks flushed.

“I’ll be leaving now. I said, trying to calm myself. “Get some rest, I’ll see you at dinner later.’

‘Okay,’ she replied, her cheeks still flushed."

I left her room but Rafe didn’t settle, he paced inside me, teeth bared. “ Why didn't you claim her” he growled. “Her wolf wants me too.”

“You have to calm down, I need to be sure Ava is ready first.”

-------

When it was time for dinner, I went to the dining hall, the long table was already set, the scent of roasted meat and spiced wine filled the air. I noticed the two figures already seated halfway down the table.

Lucas lounged in his chair like the king of his own private kingdom, one arm draped casually over the backrest. Zack sat opposite him, sitting upright, his eyes forward. 

Ava wasn’t there yet.

Good.

I took the seat at the head of the table. Lucas’s smirk twitched at the corners of his mouth. 

“She’s coming,” Lucas said lazily, as if reading my mind. “I told one of the omegas to bring her down.”

“You don’t give orders about my mate,” I said.

Lucas’s smirk widened. “Our mate, Kane. You keep forgetting.”

I didn’t have to answer because the doors opened.

Ava stepped inside, hesitating for only a second before an omega closed the doors behind her. Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders and she wore a simple black dress that skimmed her knees. My wolf growled low, in raw appreciation.

She started toward the empty seat beside me but Zack rose before she reached it.

“Ava,” he said, his voice smooth but carrying that Alpha weight.

She stopped between us. Her eyes flicked from me, then to him.

Lucas leaned forward on his elbows, watching like this was the best entertainment he’d had in years.

Zack’s gaze didn’t leave her. “Sit here.” He gestured to the chair beside him.

“No,” I said, my voice cutting through the air. “She sits here.” I pushed out the chair beside me.

Her hands tightened at her sides but she moved to me without a word. I pulled the chair out fully and waited until she sat before taking my own seat.

Lucas chuckled. “You two are exhausting. We could save a lot of trouble if you’d both admit she belongs to all of us.”

“Not happening,” I said.

Dinner was still tense when my Beta entered, his expression tight. He came straight to my side and bent low enough so only I could hear him.

“Alpha, you and Alpha Zack are requested,” he murmured. “It’s urgent, a council meeting. 

My jaw tightened. “Now?”

“Yes. They said it couldn’t wait.” His gaze flicked briefly toward Ava before he straightened.

I looked at Zack. He’d heard every word, he leaned back in his chair, one brow raised. “Seems we’re wanted.”

The last thing I wanted was to leave her here with Lucas but I couldn’t ignore a summons from the council without risking more trouble.

I turned to Ava. “Stay in your room, when you are done eating, until I get back. Don’t open the door for anyone but me.”

Lucas’s smile was sharp. “You don’t trust me, brother?”

“I don’t,” I said flatly. “And I don’t need to.”

Ava’s eyes looked at mine, her lips parting like she wanted to say something but I didn’t give her the chance. “I will be right back,” I said before leaving.

Rafe rumbled in my chest, he was unhappy. Leaving her with him is a mistake.

I know, I answered silently but I’ll be back before he can try anything.

Zack and I left together, neither of us speaking as we crossed the courtyard toward the waiting vehicle.