Chapter 2: His Touch Still Lingers

BUTTERCUP

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I turned away from the cheering crowd, my legs were shaking as I did. Then a strong hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me hard.

“Come with me, now.” Draven’s voice was low and rough in my ear.

I didn’t fight with him, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Not when my head was still spinning from watching him claim Seraphina in front of everyone. He dragged me through a side door into a dimly lit hallway away from the noise and my heart pounded so loud I was sure he could hear it.

“Draven, what the fuck was that?” I yanked my arm free the second we stopped, pressing my back against the wall. My voice cracked. “You were inside me thirty minutes ago. You kissed my forehead and promised you’d find me after. Then you walk in holding her hand like I’m nothing?”

He stepped close, towering over me. His silver eyes looked tired, but that didn’t stop the heat that was rolling off him. “Buttercup… it’s not that simple.”

“Not that simple?...Haa!!” I laughed, but it sounded broken. “You announced her as your Luna! The whole pack was cheering while I stood there like a fool. Tell me why you're begging me right now.”

Draven ran a hand through his messy black hair. “Seraphina is my fated mate. The Moon Goddess chose her for me, for the pack. Our alliance with her family will stop the blood war that’s coming. I don’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice with me,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. I wiped them angrily. “You chose me every night for two years. You told me I was yours... Was that all bullshit?”

He slammed his hands on the wall on either side of my head, caging me in when I tried to leave. His breath brushed my lips. “It wasn’t bullshit. You know it wasn’t. But I’m the Alpha. People die when I put what I want first.”

I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t move. “Then why did you save me? Why did you fuck me like you couldn’t live without me if you were just going to throw me away?”

“Because I can’t stay away from you,” he growled. His hand slid down to grip my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Even now, after everything, I still want you so bad and it hurts.”

My body betrayed me. Heat pooled low even as my heart broke. “Then prove it. Tell me you don’t feel anything for her.”

Draven’s forehead dropped to mine. “I feel the pull. But it’s not the same, not like this.” His fingers dug into my hips. “Not like you, little one.”

I hated how much I needed to hear that. I grabbed his shirt and yanked him down, kissing him hard. I was angry and desperate as well. He kissed me back like a man drowning in lust, his tongue sliding against mine and his hands roaming under my dress.

“You still smell like me,” he muttered against my mouth. “My scent is all over you.”

“Good,” I shot back, biting his bottom lip. “Let her smell it too.”

He groaned and lifted me, my legs wrapping around him like they always did. He carried me further down the hallway into a small unused sitting room and kicked the door shut. In seconds my back hit the couch and he was on top of me, pushing my dress up around my waist.

“Draven…” I gasped as his mouth moved down my neck, sucking hard enough to leave marks. “Don’t you dare stop.”

“I should,” he said, but his hands kept moving, rough and needy. “I fucking should walk away right now.”

Instead he pulled my panties aside and pushed two thick fingers inside me. I cried out, back. “You liar. You can’t walk away now.”

“Neither can you.” He curled his fingers just right, watching my face. “Look at you. Still so wet for me even after I broke your heart.”

My tears mixed with the pleasure. I grabbed his shoulders and my nails digging in. “Because I’m stupid. Because I still love you, you asshole.”

He froze for a second, his eyes meeting mine. Then he kissed me again, deeper this time, almost gentle. His fingers kept working until I was shaking. I reached down and fumbled with his belt, freeing him. He was hard and hot in my hand.

“Inside me,” I demanded, my voice trembling. “Now, make me forget what I saw tonight.”

Draven didn’t hesitate. He thrust in deeply in one gentle stroke, burying himself completely. We both moaned and he moved hard and fast, like he was punishing both of us. The couch squeaked under us. My hands tangled in his hair and I pulled him closer.

“Say you’re still mine,” he growled against my ear, his hips spanking my ass.

“You don’t deserve that,” I panted, but my body clenched around him anyway. “Not after today.”

“Say it anyway.” He angled his hips, hitting that spot that made me see stars. “Please, Buttercup.”

I came hard, crying his name as tears rolled down my cheeks. He followed right after, groaning low as he spilled inside me. For a few moments we just breathed together as our bodies locked, his weight comforting and heavy on top of me.

Then reality crashed back in again.

Draven pulled out slowly and wore his clothes. He helped me sit up, smoothing my dress down with his gentle hands. His thumb brushed a tear from my cheek.

“I’m sorry, little one.”

The words hit harder than anything else I've heard that night. He stood up, already stepping back toward the door. His face looked torn, but he was leaving...Again.

I sat there on the couch as my legs were still shaky, his hot cum dripping down my thigh, I was watching the man I loved walk away after fucking me like he needed me to breathe.

“Wait...” I started, but the door slammed shut behind him.

I was alone, more confused than ever. And still completely attached to the Alpha who kept breaking me.