Chapter 19: Sutton

I couldn’t explain what was happening. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling. I couldn’t fully believe I was feeling it. Whatever it was… it was incredible. It was overwhelming. It was something I never could have experienced with another person.

Alpha Lucas’ declaration was followed by another earth-shattering kiss. A kiss I was powerless to stop. I didn’t want to stop it. His teeth nipped at my lip, encouraging me to open for him. I obliged, letting his taste overtake my senses. Heat flared in my core. A desire I’d never known blooming between my thighs. I don’t know when I decided to wrap my arms around his neck, let alone when I climbed onto his lap. He growled in response, pressing our bodies closer together.

His approving response pushed my desire higher. My hips rocked against him, feeling just how much he approved beneath me. His fingers curled in my hair and he suddenly pulled away.

“Fuck, Sutton,” he panted. He buried his face in my shoulder and chuckled. “You have no idea how bad I’ve wanted that.”

Then why did you stop? I wanted to ask. Insecurities creeping in.

“Did I…? Was it not…?”

His head snapped up before I could finish and his lips were pressed firmly to mine again.

“I can’t tell you how perfect you are, baby,” he said firmly. Then he sighed and pulled back a little. “But we’re not ready for more. The fact that you even had a doubt of my enjoyment tells me that.” He brushed his nose against mine sweetly. “I want you fully healed, Sutton — both physically and emotionally — before we explore our bond completely. We have more to talk about first, yes?”

I nodded, giving him a gentle smile. I moved to get up, but he held firmly. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he managed to get to his feet without letting me go. Sitting down on the bed, he leaned against the pillows, laying me on his chest. His fingers glided through my hair soothingly.

“I need you to forget the bond you had with Mason,” he spoke gently. “It wasn’t real. You can’t compare it to this, understood?”

I nodded against him. “I still don’t understand what this is,” I said. “My head says I shouldn’t want this, but… but everything else says I need it.”

Alpha Lucas kissed the top of my head. “It’s a fated bond,” he explained. “Have you ever heard of fated mates before?”

“Yes, but I didn’t think they were real,” I admitted. Because Mason and the others told me they weren’t.

“They happen quite often, actually,” he said. “Especially among ranking pack members. You and I are fated, Sutton. Our bond was formed the moment we laid eyes on each other. It was always meant to. That’s what you’ve been feeling between us. It will get stronger the closer we get.”

“But how can I feel it without being marked by you?” I asked.

“You’re not human, Sutton,” he said again. “But even if you were, you’d sense something between us. A strong attraction. The initial connection likely wasn’t as strong for you because your bond with Mason had so recently been severed.”

I sat up suddenly, looking at him. “How did it…? So, you do think that I…?”

He sighed, brushing my hair behind my ear. “A mate bond can’t form over an existing one. Even a fated bond,” he said gently. “And an existing one doesn’t sever unless you reject each other or…”

“Or one of you dies,” I finished absently.

“Yes,” he confirmed. He sat up a little straighter. “You were defending yourself, Sutton. You have the scars to prove it. You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. He was a damn monster. Look at me.” He hooked my chin. “If you hadn’t killed him, I would have hunted him down and done it myself. Bond or not.”

“They’re going to come after me,” I said. “They won’t just let this go.”

“I hope Alpha Anders is foolish enough to set foot on my land looking for you,” he replied seriously.

“Alpha, don’t…”

“Lucas,” he interrupted. “You call me Lucas, Sutton. You’re my equal here.”

My face flushed and a smile tugged at my lips. But the feeling faded when my mind went back to the trouble I was in.

“They’ll want to punish me.”

“That won’t happen,” Lucas insisted. He exhaled deeply, lacing his fingers in mine. “I’m not going to say you’re wrong, Sutton. That’s why I’ve been cautious with your presence here myself. That’s why I didn’t want you going anywhere. I’m not trying to keep you hidden away. Well… I’m not trying to keep you hidden here against your will. We just need to get an idea of what we’re dealing with before your identity gets out. But they can’t take you, Sutton. I swear they will never touch you again.”

I tried to sort through all the information that had been thrown at me. There was still so much I felt unsure about. So much that I felt I didn’t know. I didn’t understand this mate bond between me and Lucas. I didn’t understand why I could feel it. Because he was right about that. I didn’t know what that would mean for my future. If I even had a future if Alpha Anders had his way.

“I don’t want to put anyone else in danger,” I said.

“You’re not,” Lucas stated. “Whatever happens after this is on Alpha Anders and Beta Mason. Believe me, Sutton — what they did to you is unacceptable in any pack.”

His words hit differently than he intended them to. I knew he was trying to make me feel better — help me feel safer. But they didn’t. They only brought up more doubts. I was taught very differently. I had very little value within the packs. While I wanted to believe this was a better place, doing so could come at a great cost.

I slid off his lap slowly. I couldn’t let myself get caught up in his promises, no matter how good they felt. Especially because of how good they felt. I just knew I wouldn’t survive it if he broke my heart.