LOGINThank you for reading ❤️❤️❤️
BreeThe first thing I felt when I woke up was the warmth. It wrapped all around me, from the heavy arm locked around my waist to the broad chest pressed against my back. For a few seconds I lay still, just enjoying how good it felt to be held like this.My cheeks burned as memories of last night rushed back—the argument, the heavy kisses, and finally, making love.I could still picture how carefully he watched me every time I pulled back, how he paused the second I felt pain, how he waited until I was ready to keep going. For a guy who usually acted like waiting on anyone was a waste of time, Aaron had been surprisingly gentle. And once my nerves washed away, the heat between us went beyond anything I had imagined.I had wanted him for so long that I used to wonder if I was making it up in my head. I wasn't.I smiled into the pillow. For the first time since Aaron told me I was his mate, I let myself relax and just enjoy waking up beside him. Last night I wasn't his assistant or an
Aaron.I studied her face in the quiet hallway, looking for any sign she might still change her mind. One last chance. One final moment to step back and decide this was a mistake.Bree didn’t look away. She reached for me instead, fingers curling into the front of my shirt, and pulled me closer.That was all it took.The control I’d held onto for weeks began to break. I had spent so long telling myself I could keep this contained, that the bond was just something to manage. Standing there with her body against mine and that quiet certainty in her voice, I couldn’t pretend anymore.I wanted her.Once we were inside, I shut the door behind us and didn’t bother with the lights. The city glow through the windows was enough.I kissed her hard this time. No holding back. My hands framed her face, then dropped to her waist, pulling her tight against me. She kissed me back like she’d been waiting for permission to stop being careful. Her fingers slid into my hair, tugging just enough to make
BreeBy the time I stepped outside the ballroom, I had convinced myself that whatever happened, I was going to ignore Aaron.I had spent enough time worrying about his moods for one evening. If he wanted to dance with his fiancée, he was welcome to do so. If he wanted to leave the gala without explaining himself, that was his business too.I was done trying to understand him.At least, that was what I told myself until I stepped outside and found him waiting beside the car.I stopped briefly, then walked toward it, determined not to let his presence affect me. The driver opened the door, and I was about to climb into the front passenger seat when Aaron spoke.“Sit at the back.”I turned to look at him.“Why?”“Because I said so.”I stared at him, wondering if he had any idea how exhausting he could be.“Of course,” I muttered before walking around to the other side and climbing into the back seat.Aaron followed me inside, and the driver pulled away from the hotel.Neither of us spoke
BreeSomething felt off the moment Cassandra returned to the ballroom.I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but she had been gone for an awfully long time for someone who had supposedly gone to the restroom. I had almost finished the drink in front of me by the time she finally appeared, walking toward our table with the same graceful confidence she always carried.Cassandra stopped beside me and looked at the vacant chair."Where is Aaron?""He stepped away to speak with someone."Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Where did he go?"I turned to look at her."Sorry, I didn't realize I was supposed to follow him around like his second shadow."Cassandra's expression hardened."I wasn't asking you to be funny.""And I wasn't trying to be."She stared at me, clearly unimpressed by my response. I resisted the urge to smile. There was something satisfying about reminding Cassandra that I wasn't one of the people who would automatically agree with everything she said simply because she was beauti
CassandraThe moment I left Aaron's table, my mind kept replaying the little exchange between Bree and Matteo. I could still picture the way he had looked at her and the easy confidence with which he had slipped a card into Bree's hand like it was the most normal thing in the world.I swallowed, barely holding my anger in. I turned into a secluded hallway away from the ballroom, my heels clicking against the polished floor.I found him standing by a tall window, hands in his pockets, jacket hanging open. He looked completely at ease, as though he hadn't spent the last few minutes flirting with another woman in front of me.His own mate.Matteo turned when he heard my footsteps. His eyes moved over my dress before settling on my face."Well, look who finally escaped her future husband," he said with a lazy smile.I stopped in front of him. "Why were you flirting with Aaron's assistant?" I demanded, unable to hide my jealousy.His mouth curved into a wider smile. "Is that what you came
AaronI watched Matteo Bellini disappear into the crowd, my jaw tightening as I remembered the way he'd smiled at Bree and handed her his card.My wolf was in no mood to let it go. *He wants our mate.*"He was just talking with her," I corrected silently.*Same thing.*I ignored him and turned toward Bree, only to find her slipping Matteo's card into her purse. Something unpleasant twisted in my chest.Before I could say anything, Cassandra touched my arm. "Excuse me, darling. I need to use the restroom.""All right."She leaned over and kissed my cheek before walking away, leaving me alone with the woman who had managed to turn a perfectly ordinary evening into a test of my patience.I pulled out my chair and sat beside Bree. She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to the ballroom. I watched her for a moment, taking in the emerald gown hugging her curves, the soft waves of her hair, and the ease with which she sat. She was beautiful. And the fact that other men thou







