2

Zaden's pov

I watched Diana's retreating back and fought the urge to follow her- but my wolf thrashed in the conflicts of my mind, seeming to prefer Andrea's company than hers.

And I wouldn't lie. The moment Andrea walked in, her scent, the unsevered mate bond between us had been like an obstacle of integrity and loyalty- It felt like a force, pulling me away from the one woman I never thought I would ever part from her side.

For several minutes, with Andrea, while I took in the woman who I had once lost- who I had once told my dreams and shared my plans of making her Luna, I had forgotten all about Diana.

Guilt shrouds me as I watched her leave. I set the glass down, ready to go after her. Diana hardly ever got angry. She never had a good relationship with Andrea that I was very aware of, and considering she and more than half a number of people present at the event were aware of the history I had with Andrea, it would be wrong to let her go alone.

However, I was stopped. Turning, my eyes following the hand on my arm It fell on Andrea. The mate bond sizzles between us- and like a raging fire, it grew, uncontrollable, unceasing, and I melted into her touch.

"She'll be fine- you can go after her if you want, but can we just talk. I've really missed you, Zaden."

I swallowed, my eyes searching hers, my heart racing. My wolf seethed for more of her touch, losing patience as It clawed in the constraints of my mind, howling. The moment the crimson red reflected in her eyes from mine, I immediately pulled my hand away.

"This is a mistake Andrea. You should leave."

The hurt on her face could not compare to how much my heart tightened in my chest. "Zaden-"

"I don't know what your intentions are coming here. But purposely agitating my wife is where I cross the line."

Her eyes darted around, already tear filled. I could feel eyes on us. An event held to build alliances from several packs, housing several Alphas and other werewolf lineage, a drama involving one of the Alphas would not cease to go amiss.

But Diana, a female, and my Luna would be the one to bear the backlash, I couldn't bear to do this to her.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," she wiped her eyes. Instant regret settled in for a moment and I hated that I hurt her. The mate bond surged between us, charged, as though commanding us to take advantage of the moment, and I stepped back, reeling myself away from the temptation. "I thought I'd see you one more time before leaving. But I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."

The thought of knowing she was leaving again set a heavy weight on my chest, but I didn't reply.

"If you could just escort me up to my room, I'd really appreciate that. Just one last moment before we go our separate ways."

Hesitantly, I nodded. "Let's go."

Silence reigned between us as we left the party. I could see Louisiana from across the halls, her eyes burning into mine as she glared at me.

The corridor was quiet, washed in the dim gold glow of the lanterns lining the pack house walls.

She stopped with her hand to the doorknob, her back to the door, eyes searching my face.

My breath caught. It always did when those eyes met mine. They were eccentric- like she was looking straight into me- could see how much I was fighting my self- control, my wolf, to stay away from her.

"Goodnight," I said softly, my voice, low and strained. "It was good seeing you, Andrea."

"You too." She softly replied

But neither of us moved.

The air tightened between us, charged and dangerous, a pull both our wolves felt even before our bodies did. I could hear her pulse fluttering hard enough. I swallowed, my jaw working.

I tried to distract myself with the background music and chatters downstairs, straining my senses away from the woman in front of me

When that didn't work, I tried to think of Diana. Dainty, sweet, softhearted, lying in bed, waiting for me.

"Do you.. " her voice barely rose above a whisper. "Do you want to come in?"

My eyes flinched for just a second, like the offer physically hit me in the gut. When I opened them, her gaze mirrored mine. Darker, filled with desire and torture.

"No," I rasped. "N- No, It's not right."

But still, I didn't step back. I felt stuck standing there, unable to bear the thought of never seeing her again after tonight. I lost her once, could I really bear losing her again?

Suddenly, with a shuddering breath, my hand braced against the doorframe beside her head. Her body, sultry and sexy in the dress leaned forward, as if claimed by the gravity of my lowering body. Her scent wrapped around me- destroying every last bit of restraint I had.

She whispered, "I need you, Zaden.."

That was all it took.

In one heartbeat, my mouth was on hers- hot desperate, searching. She gasped, her hands grabbing my shirt, and my hands tangled in her hair, drawing them down her waist, lining her curves, like I'd been starved for the taste of her.

We were being reckless. This was wrong. But it was inevitable from the moment I walked her up the stairs. From the moment I saw her walk into the hall, reopening years of hurting, yearning- wanting her, missing her.

The kiss deepened between us, the hallway- the environment around us turning hot.

I guided her through- and the door behind us opened, swallowing us in before it shut, trapping us and our destroyed self restraint inside.