Chapter Twenty

Brax POV

I’ve called by her shop a few times. It’s been closed for two days. I’ve kept an eye on the street where the hotel is and nothing.

There’s been nothing, so I’m going back today. If she’s not at work, then I’m going to her pack. I need to know she’s okay. I need to see her.

I’ve spent so much time stressing over her. My wolf is obsessing so much that my father is beginning to ask what I’m up to. I’ve lied and said I’m looking into other ways to break this curse.

It’s bullshit. I should be, because once I find a cure, a way to break it, then Raine is safe to come to my pack. As I drive past her store I see the lights on.

She’s there. I park behind on a back street and walk through. Glancing through the front I don’t see anyone. That doesn’t mean her brothers or Kai aren’t inside though.

Walking around the building, I look through the windows and all the rooms are empty except one. Raine is there, guiding out a man.

The moment the door clicks shut behind him, I push the window up and slip in. I need to know why she went quiet, disappeared and didn’t come to work.

Opening the door I watch as she thanks the guy and he leaves.

She locks the door and leans against it. She looks exhausted. I don’t like that. She stands and walks toward me, her eyes not really lifting. As she gets closer she lifts her head and stops when she sees me.

“Brax?”

“Nightbloom.” I reach out and pull her to me. My wolf settles a little but he’s still pacing. “Where the hell were you?” I brush her hair away from her face and pause.

My finger strokes down her neck to her collarbone, my eyes fixed on the mark. He fucking claimed her? Already? I stare at her.

“My father cancelled the engagement. Instead he pulled the wedding forward.”

“And you just went ahead with it? You didn’t delay it?” Why wouldn’t she fight?

“Why would I?” She stares at me with tears in her eyes. “I fight, I say no, I ask for time, my father will just order me, and the alpha command can’t be ignored.”

I thought I had time. This isn’t time. This wasn’t time. “Are you okay?” That’s all that’s important right now.

She looks at me and hesitates.

“Raine?”

Her mouth opens then closes. “I just... I’m fine. It’s just hard. It feels wrong,” she whispers.

I pull her into my arms, holding her against me. “I’ll speed up things on my end. If you can slip away, maybe stay in the hotel for a night? I’ll figure it out.”

She stares at me. “I’m not sure I can. Kai will want to know where I am.”

She’s right about that. “Can’t you stay at your parents? Tell him you have to stay at home for something, go home, sneak out, and meet me.” I know it won’t be tonight, but I want time with her, especially if she’s going to be disappearing for days.

“Maybe, Brax,” she whispers, looking up at me. “Touch me.”

Smiling, I kiss her neck. “I am, Little Nightbloom.” She’s in my arms.

I watch as she steps back. “No, I mean really touch me.” She lifts her top and drops it. My wolf lunges forward, and I have to hold him back.

She strips without hesitation, letting her clothes fall to the floor. I wanted to talk, to find a way to see her more, to make plans, but she steps forward and reaches for my shirt, her fingers working the buttons with urgent need.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me, skin to skin. My hands stroke slowly down her back, memorising every curve, every line of her body as if I can erase the last few days with touch alone.

She’s different. Withdrawn. Quiet in a way that twists something deep inside my chest. My fierce, fiery Nightbloom, the one who fought the world with sharp words and sharper eyes, feels fragile right now. It kills me.

She kisses me hard, almost desperately, and I kiss her back with everything I have. I lower her gently to the floor with me, never breaking the kiss. Every time my eyes catch the claiming mark on her neck, my wolf snarls and thrashes inside me, furious that another male dared to mark what’s ours.

But right now I push him down. She needs me more than my rage.

She lifts her hips, grinding her wet heat against my cock with a broken whimper. The sound undoes me. I push forward just enough for the head of my cock to slide into her. She moans softly, shifting, trying to take more of me.

I still, cupping her face with both hands so she has to look at me.

“Did he touch you, Nightbloom?” My voice is rough, barely holding together.

She turns her head away, tears shining in her eyes. The sight rips me open.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper against her ear, pressing a kiss there. “I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t there.”

“Just please…” Her voice cracks. “Touch me. Fuck me. I need you to be the last one who had his hands on me.”

The plea destroys what little control I had left.

I kiss her deeply, pouring every ounce of possession, love, and regret into it. Then I thrust forward in one smooth motion, burying myself fully inside her. She arches hard beneath me, crying out against my mouth as her body tightens around me.

I don’t stop. I keep moving, slow and deep at first, then harder, claiming her with every stroke, every kiss, every whispered word against her skin.

“I’ve got you,” I growl between thrusts. “He doesn’t get to keep any part of you. Not your body. Not your mind. Not your heart. You’re mine, Raine. Only mine.”

She clings to me, nails digging into my shoulders, soft cries spilling from her lips with every deep thrust. I’ll keep her here all night if I have to. I’ll fuck the memory of him out of her until the only name she remembers, the only touch she feels, is mine.