Chapter 5

Kieran POV

I stopped. Kade had just said mate. I never believed in second-chance mates.

‘You idiot, move,’ Kade said, trying to take control of my body.

“You idiot, you would scare her. If we go to her and tell her we are mates, she just left her first mate. Have you forgotten what happened years ago?” I said, fighting for control.

‘That was your mistake,’ he retorted.

“We have to let her trust us first,” I said.

‘I will give you two hours, and if you don’t tell her, then I will take over, mate with her, and lock you in here forever,’ Kade threatened.

“Two hours? For Goddess’ sake, trust me for once in your life. I will fix it, I swear. Please, let me,” I pleaded.

‘Three days. That’s what you got. Three days, or I will lock you in here, mate with her, and make beautiful pups with her,’ Kade said.

“You horny bastard, let me handle it, please,” I pleaded again.

‘Fine,’ he said.

I looked up, relieved. Then our eyes met. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. She looked away and turned around.

“Elina! Elina! Wait up,” I called after her.

I walked closer to her, feeling her body heat against mine. Kade grunted. I knew I was too close…I needed to be. She smelled so intoxicating I couldn’t think straight.

“I am here to pick you up,” I said as casually as I could.

She turned so suddenly that she almost slammed her face into my chest. I fought myself not to pull her into my arms.

“Move a little closer to her. I want to feel her more,” Kade said. I ignored him.

“I will take a taxi,” she said, looking everywhere else but at me.

‘She can’t even look at us. This is all your fault,’Kade said.

“Shut up,” I replied.

Elina turned to leave again.

“No, no. Hold on,” I said quickly, softly holding her wrist.

I felt her hold her breath as she turned back to me.

“Thank you, Alpha Kieran, and I am sorry for letting you come all the way to the airport, but I can find my way back to the pack,” she said calmly, removing my hand from her wrist.

My heart ached when she called me Alpha instead of Kier.

“Can you listen for a minute, Elina? I know I am the last person you wanted to see, but for old times’ sake, please let me take you home,” I pleaded, hoping she would say yes.

She bit her lip nervously, contemplating. Biting her lip had always been her habit when she was nervous. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have found it seductive…but now, all I wanted was to kiss the hell out of her.

‘Yeah, let’s do that!’Kade said.

“Shut up, you horny bastard,” I replied.

“Ezra was supposed to pick me up. Is he here?” she asked, looking over my shoulder.

Goddess, she looked so beautiful.

“No, he isn’t. Lina’s mate is heavily pregnant, so he had to stay with her in case there was an emergency,” I explained nervously.

I scratched the back of my head to calm myself, then continued.

“He didn’t tell me you were coming. I… I… I overheard you guys talking, so I offered to pick you up,” I stuttered.

I never stuttered. I was always calm when speaking. I had never felt this way before…not even toward my first mate, Naya. I noticed she was about to refuse me.

“Please, please, let me,” I begged.

“Okay, Alpha. I really appreciate it,” she agreed.

It hurt that she used Alpha again.

“Please don’t call me Alpha, E. Please call me by my name, or Kier, like you used to,” I said.

‘Alpha sounds distant,’ I muttered.

She stared at me in surprise but didn’t say anything.

I broke the silence. “Where is your luggage?” I asked when I didn’t see any.

“I didn’t pack any,” she answered, walking forward. “Where is the car?” she asked.

“Oh, hold on,” I said.

I pulled out my phone and texted Liam, who would bring the car with her luggage back to the pack.

“Now let’s go,” I said, offering her my hand.

She didn’t take it.

What was I thinking? She never needed to forgive me for what I did, but I was hoping that somewhere inside her, she still felt something…something like what I felt now.

I slipped my hand back into my pocket to ease the tension.

“This way,” I said.

I led her to the parking area. We stopped in front of my bike. I was glad I had ridden it here.

“Where is the car?” she asked.

“No, we are riding the bike. I brought an extra helmet,” I answered.

“I am not getting on that. What would your mate think…” she started.

I quickly cut her off before she could mention Naya.

“Tell her we don’t have a mate, idiot, and then she will belong to us…or me,” Kade said.

“No, you crazy mutt,” I replied.

‘Mutt? You just called me a mutt…’ he said.

I blocked him out completely.

“Lina is making dinner. She’s excited to meet you. You don’t want to miss out,” I said, smiling.

“Hand it over,” she said, pointing at the extra helmet.

I picked it up and tried to put it on her, but she stepped back, took it from me, and put it on herself.

I couldn’t blame her. I blamed myself for being a self-centered asshole back then.

I sat on the bike. “Get on. It’s going to be a long ride,” I said.

She climbed on behind me, keeping her distance.

I hated it.

“You should hold on to me if you don’t want to fly off the bike,” I said.

She didn’t listen.

I started the bike…slowly at first, then faster. I felt her grab onto me tightly.

I felt Kade smirked, enjoying her body pressed against ours.

I smiled when she leaned closer to get comfortable…then she suddenly jumped.

I slammed the brakes, the bike jerking back hard.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just feeling a little dizzy. Can you slow down a bit?” she said.

I nodded and told her to hold me tightly. She leaned closer, but not as tight as before.

I felt Kade’s sadness.

I drove off again…slowly this time.

I still had a mission, so I stopped the bike in front of a bakery.

“Why are we here?” she asked.

“I need to get something,” I said.

She got off the bike. So did I. I walked toward the bakery door, but she didn’t follow.

“E, can you come inside with me?” I asked, looking back at her.

When we were kids, she used to cry and beg me to take her to the bakery for cheesecake. I hoped this would work.

She didn’t reply. She just looked at me, as if trying to read me.

I hated sweet things…especially cakes.

I scratched the back of my head nervously.

“Lina asked me to buy cake to celebrate and welcome you to the pack,” I lied. “And I wouldn’t be able to carry them all alone,” I added.

I was not a good liar…but it might work.

I led her inside, straight to where the cheesecakes were displayed.

“Do you want to get something while I get the cake?” I asked.

She looked puzzled.

“You love cheesecake. I just wondered if you wanted one,” I said, smiling.

“I’m not a kid anymore, Kieran,” she said.

“I wanted to get you something you loved. I don’t think of you as a little girl. You’ve grown…matured,” I said quietly.

“Okay, I’ll get one,” she said.

I went to the cashier and paid for both her cake and mine.

“Are you done?” I asked.

“Yes, I was just about to pay,” she answered.

“Don’t. I already did,” I said, smiling.

“I didn’t have cash with me. I’ll return it later,” she said.

“E, please don’t,” I begged.

“I… I…okay,” she said, her cheeks flushing.

The scent hit me, and I inhaled deeply.

She stepped back.

“Damn you, Kade,” I muttered. He ignored me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” I apologized.

“It’s okay. Let’s go,” she said warily.

I opened the bakery door…and felt it.

The monster stirred.

The curse.

“Kade, what happened?” I asked my wolf.

Silence.

“Kade. Kade. Damn it.”

I couldn’t let Elina see me like this.

Then everything went black.

FUCK.