Chapter 5: The Lake III

(R18: Not for readers below 18, as this chapter includes mature and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.)

Ever’s POV

He leaned into my nape, tracing it with soft kisses. My head fell back as I shuddered with every caress, ready to take in the heat that would follow.

I snapped back to reality.

Wait! We were here. Out in the open.

“Hagan, stop…” I tried to break free from his grip. “Someone could... someone could catch us here,” I protested.

“Then let them.” He didn't stop. His large hands slid down my thighs and parted them. I flinched as he yanked me closer. Close enough for me to feel the heat between us.

He locked me in a breathless kiss as his hands unstrapped the chemise at my waist.

“Uhh, Hagan,” I shuddered as the warmth of his lips trailed across my neck and raw heat ensued.

He brought his face closer to mine, our gazes locked.

“Can I?” He gestured, eyes low, his low tone sending shivers down my spine.

Without a reply, I roughly crashed my lips onto his. My arms wrapped around his shoulders as he engaged and lifted me up.

I was still as terrible at kissing as I had always been, but somehow, he never complained.

He pulled back slightly and smiled.

“Seems someone’s missed me too much,” he teased.

“If I recall properly, you came at me, not the other way around,” I corrected. “If this is too much, just say so.” I released my hands from his shoulders, attempting to slide down. He bumped me back up to face him.

“Who said anything about too much?” He leaned in. “I’ve only just begun..” he bent closer."Wife," My ears tingled at the word.

I loved it…whenever he called me wife, Luna, or mate. It may be just a part of his ‘in-the-moment’ teasings. But still... I loved it.

It was one of the few things, for me, that made the fantasy of us… feel real.

He wrapped his hands around my neck and locked me in another breathless kiss, this time softer, more deliberate.

He claimed every part of my lips, not giving either of us a second to breathe as he leaned in lower.

Around us, the lake began to glow as fireflies appeared. Everything about this felt magical. Like nature herself had solidified this bond.

And in that moment, everything else faded: Rhaeya, becoming Luna, the fact that I was an Omega. None of it mattered anymore. Not now. All I wanted... was him.

He lifted me against his hips, close enough to feel the heat of our conditioned bodies.

His eyes flashed a deep red as his claws extended briefly. He tore away the last layer of fabric on him.

His shaft, hard and stiff, poked me from beneath.

We were out in the open. Here. Now. What if someone passed by? My questions were silenced as he crashed his body against mine. I shuddered in low breaths.

I slipped out of my top blouse, revealing my swollen tops, then pulled out my undergarments.

His eyes pierced mine, not a single shred of patience left as he crashed his lips against my neck. That familiar heat returned, and this time we both gave in to it.

Our chests moved with one rhythm as I felt him slide in. I bit down on a moan as my hands clutched his shoulders for support.

He had me pressed against the lake's edge, moving in slow. A soft moan slipped out as I wrapped my arms around his neck. My hips moved instinctively, brushing against him meeting his in rhythm.

“Uh, Hagan...” I shuddered, gripping tighter.

Without a warning, he thrust harder, and a louder moan tore from me as tears garnered my eyes.

“Oh, fuck, Ever,” he cooed into my ear, burying himself into my neck again, pulling different sounds out of me.

He moved faster now, each thrust pulling louder moans from me. My grip on his shoulders tightened as my body trembled.

Tears spilled down my face, pleasure and pain blurring together.

I could barely take any more, but my body—it wanted more. I pulled his head to my chest, and he surprised me, taking my top into his mouth.

My body exploded with jolts as I tilted my head back, lost in it. He worked his way with his lips, not a single thread of restraint as he did.

“Alpha...” We both heard Beta Roy's voice from a distance, and our passion crashed.

“Shit.” Hagan's eyes widened, its original color returned as he snapped back to reality. I climbed down from him in panic.

“You told him you'd be here?” I asked him, my voice as panicked as his eyes looked.

“I didn't. He… he must've been looking for me.”

“Alpha...” Roy's voice called out again, now closer.

“Should I put my clothes on?” I asked him.

“No, he'll definitely see you that way. Duck.”

“What?” My voice cracked in disbelief, not hiding how unpleasant I found his idea.

“There's no time, Ever. Please understand.”

I stared at him in silence as I let out a weak chuckle, shaking my head in amusement. These were the extremes he was now resorting to. Just to keep me hidden.

Seeing as there was indeed no time, I swallowed the bitter reality, took a deep breath and swept myself under as the footsteps got closer.

“Alpha,” Roy's voice let out, relieved.

“I've searched the pack house for you. I was worried something happened,” he began.

“I came for a swim. Why were you looking for me?” Hagan asked, masking his panic under his cold demeanor.

“Here.” Roy pulled out a note from his pocket and handed it over to him.

“Silverstone Alpha Zeke has finally honoured our invitation,” he explained. “He stated he'll be here with his Envoy, tomorrow,” Roy told him, gesturing to the note.

I could barely hold my breath anymore where I was. I moved slightly. Hagan's eyes drifted to my spot and back to Roy.

“Well, we best get going then. Everything should be ready for his arrival,” he told him.

“Yes, Alpha. It's a surprise he finally agreed. He's rejected every past attempt for a reestablished alliance. We have to make this one count,” Beta Roy explained in sheer excitement.

Hagan didn't respond as his gaze rested on him, like he was waiting for something.

“Well?...” He gestured for him to look away.

“Oh, right.” Roy let out a nervous laugh before turning away.

He climbed out of the pool, then hurriedly slid into his clothes.

Unable to hold my position anymore, I popped my head out of the water.

“Did you hear that?” Roy turned slightly and I dipped my head back in.

“No,” Hagan dismissed casually as he slid into his frock coat. I drew slightly close to the water's surface as they both turned to leave.

Voices of them making plans followed, which later descended into murmurs after they had gone far.

I drifted up to the surface, watching them leave. I ducked to find my chemise but didn't see it.

“Great,” I sighed. “Now I’ve lost the only one I've got too.”

I sat still in the water, trying to fight the hurt I felt.

How easy it was for him.

One minute, he'd be all over me. And the next, he'd pretend I didn't even exist. Like the passion we had shared, never happened, he asked me to ‘duck’. My stomach twisted.

Was it always going to be this way?

Would I just remain the secret mistress he always came to whenever he wanted this?

I stared far off. It hurt to admit... but I knew Hagan himself wasn't sure he'd ever proudly call me his mate.

Yet I chose to hold on to it. The belief that one day, this fantasy of us… would become real.

I drew out of the lake and began sliding into my clothes. I was halfway done when I heard a rustle beneath the tall bushes some steps away. I froze in fear.

“Who's there?” I shot in panic as I looked around.