Chapter 8: Tensed

DRAVEN

“Draven!” Seraphina called again, her voice was sharper this time. “Kai’s crew is sniffing around our borders. We need you out here. Now!!”

I was tensed on top of Buttercup, still buried inside her, my body slick with sweat. Fuck...This can't be happening now.

Buttercup pushed at my chest, her green eyes were flashing with fresh hurt. “Go on then. Your real Luna is calling and Kai’s back? Your old best friend is coming to save me or what?”

I pulled out slowly and stood up, wearing my clothes fast. “Stay here. and please, don’t move.”

“Like I have a choice?” she snapped, sitting up and pulling her dress down. Her voice cracked. “You just fucked me again and now you’re running off. Tell me this double mate shit is real, Draven. Tell me I’m not losing my mind.”

I looked at her, really looked at her honey-blonde hair and the way it was messed up from my hands, her lips were swollen from kissing me. She looked beautiful and completely destroyed at the same time.

“It’s real,” I said quietly. “I feel the pull with you and it is stronger than anything. But I watched my father make the same choice. He picked a human woman that he loved and he ignored the pack, ignored the threats. They killed him for it. and they slaughtered dozens of our own people. I can’t do that, Buttercup...I won’t.”

Buttercup stood up on shaky legs. “So you’re just going to keep hurting me instead? and keep choosing her?”

Seraphina banged on the door. “Draven! The rivals are pushing harder. Kai’s men are with them. Move your ass forward!”

I opened the door just enough to see her. Seraphina stood there, tall and cold in her red dress. “Handle your pet later. We have a war brewing." she said.

“Give me two minutes,” I growled at her.

She smirked and walked off.

I closed the door and turned back to Buttercup. She was crying now, and silent tears running down her cheeks. The sight hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Don’t do that,” I said, stepping closer. “Please don’t cry.”

“Why not? I have every reason to cry.” Her voice rose. “You keep saying you feel the bond with me but you treat me like garbage. You saved me two years ago, Draven. You made me believe I mattered. Was that all a lie so you could have easy pussy whenever you wanted?”

I grabbed her shoulders. “It was never a lie. Every night I spent with you, every time I touched you...it was real. But being Alpha means carrying the weight of every life in this pack. My father put love first and we paid in blood. I see his mistake every single day when I look in the mirror. If I choose you openly, they’ll come for all of us. Including you.”

Buttercup wiped her face angrily but more tears fell. “Then let me go. If you’re so scared of repeating his mistake, stop keeping me here. Stop fucking me and making me hope.”

“I can’t let you go,” I admitted, my voice was rough. “Every time I try to walk away, my wolf fights me. The bond with you...it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt. Not even with Seraphina. But the pack pressure never stops. They expect me to unite with her family. One wrong move and everything my father built falls apart.”

She was bitter and broken. “So I’m supposed to understand? Just keep being your secret while she gets the title, the respect and everything? You’re killing me slowly, Draven. Every time you touch me and leave, another piece of me dies.”

I pulled her into my arms even though I knew I shouldn’t. She fought me for a second then melted against my chest, sobbing quietly. Her body shook as she cried.

“I hate myself for this,” I whispered into her hair. “I hate that I can’t be the man you need. But losing you completely terrifies me more than any rival pack.”

Buttercup looked up at me, her eyes were red and swollen. “Then prove it. Stop running to her every time she calls. Stay with me this night. Choose me even if it’s just for now.”

I wanted to... God, I wanted to lock the door and bury myself in her again until the world disappeared. But Seraphina’s voice echoed down the hall again, calling my name. The sounds of fighting still hadn’t stopped.

“I have to go handle this,” I said, stepping back. My hands felt empty without her. “Kai being back changes things. He was my best friend once, but he turned rogue for a reason. If he’s coming for you...”

Buttercup wrapped her arms around herself, looking smaller than ever. “Just go, Draven. Go be the Alpha everyone needs. I’m tired of begging.”

I stood there for a long moment, watching fresh tears roll down her cheeks. She didn’t wipe them this time. She just stared at me like I was the one who kept stabbing her and refusing to pull the knife out.

My wolf howled inside me, urging me to stay. To mark her, to claim what was mine. But the memory of my father’s body, broken and bloody after choosing love, flashed through my head again.

I turned away from her crying face and walked out the door, every step feeling heavier than the last.

Behind me, I heard Buttercup finally break down completely.