Just then, the door swung open and my parents walked in. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I immediately stepped away from Osborne, feeling embarrassed—oh, and I completely forgot my brother and Suzy were there, having just witnessed me speaking to Osborne like that.
My father’s gaze swept the room, landing on Suzy with her head bowed and Josh standing stiff-lipped. Both my parents inclined their heads in respect before my father spoke. “It’s good to see you again, Alpha Osborne. We didn’t exchange pleasantries the last time we met,” he greeted. Osborne remained tall and unyielding, his voice steady but edged. “Your son’s mate, and her friends, insulted my mate,” he said pointedly—without even acknowledging the greeting. My father’s eyes shifted briefly to Suzy before returning to Osborne. “Forgive her ignorance. I will deal with her accordingly,” he replied. Osborne gave a sharp nod. “Please do, because I was seconds away from snapping her head off.” My parents gasped, quickly agreeing without another word. Then his gaze returned to me. For the first time, I truly saw what power looked like. This was the man I’d spoken to so casually, someone I could tell to stop and he did—was the same man my parents couldn’t even meet in the eye when he was angry. “I’ll be borrowing your daughter for a while,” he said, his voice leaving no room for refusal. Without hesitation, he took my hand and pulled me out of the house. Before we stepped outside, I caught sight of my mother’s face—pure joy written all over it. When we reached his car, he opened the door, slid into the seat, and pushed it back, giving himself plenty of space. “Get on me. Now,” he commanded with urgency. I didn’t hesitate. Climbing onto his lap, I barely had time to steady myself before he closed the door and captured my mouth in a fierce, hungry kiss. His heat and intensity consumed me, stealing my breath. When he finally released my lips, I gasped for air, only for him to dip lower, his mouth trailing against the sensitive skin of my throat. “Ah—” the sound escaped before I could stop it. My body betrayed me as his hands slid down, finding my ass and pressing firmly, pulling me closer against him. He muttered under his breath, "Damn, I want to fuck you badly," and even his rough words turned me on. I was so wet and ready for him, missing him again as I slid my tongue into his mouth; he tasted amazing. My hands traced down his body as he broke the kiss and gave me permission, saying, "Take it out." I did, and his penis sprang up, making my mouth water. I grabbed hold of it and began stroking him, and he claimed my lips again—biting, drawing, kissing—as if he couldn't get enough of me. I worked him up, and he moaned at my touch. I never knew I liked hearing a man moan. "Faster, Aina," he seemed to beg, and I obeyed. His hand found my breasts, slipping under my blouse to cup them. He found my nipple and began pinching it, sending an electric sensation all the way through me. Then he jerked with a low growl, his seed pouring out, but he was still hard. "That's my precum," he told me, and I nodded, learning more about the male body. "So, you're not satisfied?" I asked. He shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever be satisfied when it comes to you—you drive me crazy.” I let out a soft chuckle and gave him a gentle kiss. He pulled me close, breathing in my scent, and my thoughts wandered back to what my mother and I had talked about earlier. Deep down, I knew he loved me… but I couldn’t help wondering—why? “Osborne?” I called softly. “Hmm?” he replied, still working to calm his breathing. “Why did you come to me that day and claim me?” He froze, his chest rising and falling more slowly, and I looked at him closely. His gaze drifted away, and I noticed the tips of his ears turning red with embarrassment. I gave his chest a light punch, desperate to know why the future alpha—the most desired man in our pack—would choose me. He finally met my eyes, swallowing hard. “The first time I saw you… I liked you,” he confessed. This time, it was my turn to feel heat rush to my face. “But… why?” “I don’t know,” he admitted, shaking his head. “After that day, no other woman interested me. You were the only one I could think about.” I tilted my head. “So, how did you know where I’d be?” “Alex told me you’d been paired and also about the rejection, and I knew you’d still be there. So, I came and waited for you.” I believed him, but that lingering doubt still whispered—why me, of all people? Almost as if he could read my mind, he cupped my face and kissed me. “Aina, who ever told you you’re not beautiful?” His husky voice was full of warmth. “Am I?” I asked quietly, if there is anyone who will tell me that I am beautiful and I'll believe it, it would be Osborne, my mate. “You are,” he said without hesitation. “There’s no other girl as beautiful as you—especially in my eyes.” He placed his hand over my heart. “Here…” Then he brushed his fingers across my cheek. “…and here. You’re beautiful inside and out. Only a fool wouldn’t fall in love with you.” My eyes grew misty, and I smiled despite the tears. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice soft. He cupped my face in his hands, his touch gentle yet firm, and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to my lips. “So from now on,” he said against my mouth, “if anyone dares insult you again, don’t back down. And if you can’t fight them… you can use me all you want.” I blinked, startled by his last words, before laughter spilled out of me. He laughed too, the sound deep and warm. Who would have thought that a man I’d only known for three days could make me feel like this—wrapped in a kind of love and care I’d never truly known before?As we stepped inside, a man moved forward to greet us. The moment my gaze landed on him, my eyes widened—it was the Beta.His expression shifted almost imperceptibly. I saw the way his eyes searched my face, the flicker of recognition sparking before he quickly masked it. He said nothing, though, simply turning to address Osborne.“Welcome, Alpha Osborne. Please, allow me to escort you to the seat that’s been prepared for you. The Luna and Alpha will join you shortly.”Osborne gave a polite nod. “Thank you, Beta Luke.”We followed him as he led us to our places, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me. When I glanced up, I caught him watching me again, obviously he knows I am the one whom his son rejected. We settled into our seats as a steady stream of people came to greet Osborne. The attention he commanded was striking—one might have thought he was already Alpha with the way they approached him with smiles, bows, and respectful murmurs.Then, without warning,
I stared at my reflection, almost unable to believe the woman in the mirror was me. It had been so long since I’d worn my hair long—I’d chopped it off years ago because it was too much to maintain. Now, with the added extensions cascading down my back, it framed my face like silk.The glasses were gone, replaced with contacts that made my eyes look brighter, sharper. My skin was smooth under the soft sweep of makeup, my lips painted with just the right shade to make them look fuller.“I bet you can’t even recognize yourself,” Miss Susan said with a playful smile as she stood behind me.I let out a shaky laugh, almost choking on the emotion rising in my throat.“Don’t cry,” she teased gently. “We wouldn’t want to ruin that masterpiece of a face now, would we?”I shook my head quickly, grinning. “No. I look… gorgeous, Miss Susan.”She stepped forward and wrapped me in a warm hug. “Now,” she said, pulling back, “it’s time to put on your dress, Aina.”A knock came at the door, and my moth
He cleared his throat, as if preparing to speak, once we’d composed ourselves and straightened our clothes. I was now sitting properly in the passenger seat.“Alex will be having his mating ceremony with Miranda,” he said, his tone careful. “I’m invited… would you come with me?”From the look in his eyes, I knew it wasn’t easy for him to bring up the man who had once rejected our bond.But honestly, it no longer stung. Whatever pain I’d felt had faded quickly, leaving nothing behind. I smiled and nodded. “I’d be happy to join you,” I told him, and his lips curved into a smile of relief.“After that,” he continued, “I’ll introduce you to my mother—and to everyone else—as my mate.”My eyes widened. His mother? The Luna? She was stunning, a woman not originally from our pack, who had discovered Alpha Owen Cliff was her mate. My mother used to tell me how, when they married and began a family, every girl who’d dreamed of being paired with the alpha—including her—had cried for days.Now it
Just then, the door swung open and my parents walked in. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I immediately stepped away from Osborne, feeling embarrassed—oh, and I completely forgot my brother and Suzy were there, having just witnessed me speaking to Osborne like that.My father’s gaze swept the room, landing on Suzy with her head bowed and Josh standing stiff-lipped. Both my parents inclined their heads in respect before my father spoke.“It’s good to see you again, Alpha Osborne. We didn’t exchange pleasantries the last time we met,” he greeted.Osborne remained tall and unyielding, his voice steady but edged.“Your son’s mate, and her friends, insulted my mate,” he said pointedly—without even acknowledging the greeting.My father’s eyes shifted briefly to Suzy before returning to Osborne.“Forgive her ignorance. I will deal with her accordingly,” he replied.Osborne gave a sharp nod. “Please do, because I was seconds away from snapping her head off.”My parents gasped, quickly agreeing w
AinaI came home feeling heavy and low after what happened. My parents were not around, only Josh was there, acting as though I didn’t even exist. After putting the groceries away, I headed for my room, but his voice stopped me.“What about Suzy?” he asked. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone; my mood had already soured.“Why don’t you call her?” I replied, continuing toward my room. Then his voice cut through again, sharper this time. “Just because you’re mated to Osborne doesn’t mean you’re better than everyone else.”If only he could see what I felt inside, he’d laugh. I was a coward—always have been, always will be. Worthless. Someone like me didn’t deserve a man like Osborne. Tears stung my eyes. I couldn’t even stand up to those girls earlier. Maybe I should just fade back into the shadows where I belonged.I hated myself. Why couldn’t I be beautiful like other women? Why did I have to be fat and ugly? I’d tried everything to change, but my body refused to cooperate. I’d really
He stopped, though his breathing was still ragged, his wolf pressing dangerously close to the surface. But when it came to my mother, he was powerless.“I’ve already told you—that alliance will never work,” she said firmly. “You will not force him to claim a woman he has no interest in.”“He’s our son, Olivia,” my father shot back. “I know what’s best for him. Bella will make a good mate and a good mother.”My mother shook her head. “No, Owen. I know how close you and Hamilton are, but you won’t drag my son into your little circle.”“Bella loves him,” my father pressed.“I don’t care,” my mother replied, her voice like steel. “Osborne doesn’t love her. That’s all that matters.”Thank the Moon my mother wasn’t buying into the madness my father called friendship. I let out a silent sigh of relief. My father’s eyes flicked toward me, sharp as a blade, and I glanced away.“I can see he hit you,” my father said coldly. “And you deserved it—because I would have done worse.”I didn’t reply.