Chapter 4

Jeffrey.

I woke in the darkness to her soft hands trailing across my chest. I no longer knew myself. Her scent was intoxicating and it was impossible for me to control my urge. My eyes were barely opened when my face was pressed into her neck, my wet, hard body covered hers. I rocked my hips gently against her softness, and I thought I might die, trapped between heaven and hell. I gripped her hand, forcing it down between us.

“I want you.” I said as I pressed her hand against my erection.

She gasped, her eyes flying to mine. What I saw in her eyes, silver in the moonlight, heightened my pleasure. She felt me pulsating beneath her palm, and felt the burning heat.

“Hold me,” I said harshly. “Hard “

Charlotte stood motionless, her heart slamming, and as if the devil was instructing her, her hands curled around me. I couldn't wait to claim her, make her mine. I clawed her clothes, tossing them to the ground. Without hesitation, I took my clothes off.

She arched her body against mine. A low groan ripped from my throat. Every part of her beautiful body fitted mine perfectly, like we were designed for each other. The pull was undeniable, and all I wanted was my mate.

I slipped an arm around her, and guided the both of us to the bed. I felt her warm breath on my chest, her mouth brushing there. I gasped, reaching for his shoulders. Crazy desires trailed in the wake of her lips.

“Please…’ she began breathlessly, and stopped. Her heart had picked up its beat beneath the intensity of my stare. Why do I want her this much? Actual realization and total recall struck me.

Charlotte opened her mouth to plead again. I silenced her abruptly with a hard kiss. She forgot everything she wanted to say. My mouth was demanding, hungry. It became greedy. So did hers. She could not get enough of me. Soon my tongue delved into her mouth, stroking insistently, soon hers was mating with mine. I had kissed many women. But never like this.

My hands were on her full breasts, seeking, searching, intent. Without her having been aware of it, I had undone the dozens of tiny buttons and insinuated my palm beneath the many layers of her underwear. I felt her cupping me with growing urgency, like she couldn't bear the pleasure anymore. I touched her nipple, teasing it erect. I took the distended tip into my mouth and began to suck gently.

Charlotte arched wildly into my rock-hard body. She wrapped her thighs around my waist, undulating against me and the fullness grinding against her. We strained at each other like fierce mating wolves, panting and heaving. Charlotte's teeth found the tender skin of my throat.

I reached between us to free myself and then I was thrusting deep inside her.

Charlotte clung to me as I thrust once, twice, again. Heaven and hell. Hard and fast. Fire, more fire and ice. 

I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and a head that felt like it had been split with an axe. I looked around, the bed was empty. The sheets still smelled faintly of her, but the warmth was gone. I tightened my grip on the sheets, inhaling to pick up the last of her scents. Last night was beautiful, and I honestly wished it didn't have to end.

Twenty minutes later, as I was pulling on a shirt, the door opened. Charlotte walked in carrying a breakfast tray, her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, her dress modest and elegant. She looked every inch the proper future Luna, and nothing like the wildcat who'd been in my bed the night before.

"Good morning, my king," she said with a shy smile. "I thought you might be hungry."

"When did you leave this morning?" I asked, studying her face.

She tilted her head, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Leave? I haven't left. I slept in my own chambers last night, remember? You said you needed space to think about the council meeting."

My blood turned to ice. "What are you talking about?"

"Last night, I was outside trying to get some fresh air when the Beta came to inform me that you were drunk, and immediately I came to check on you. You told me you needed to be alone to process everything that has happened." Her voice was gentle, but she looked confused as hell. "Don't you remember? The Beta was with you when I left."

The room spun around me. If Charlotte had slept in her own room, then who had been in my bed? Who had I...

"You didn't come back later?" I asked slowly, desperately hoping she'd say yes.

"No. You seemed so tired, I didn't want to disturb you further." She set the tray down and moved closer, worry etched across her features. "Jeffrey, what's wrong? You look pale."

Reality crashed over me like a tidal wave. The woman in my bed hadn't been Charlotte. 

"I'm fine," I lied, forcing my voice to remain steady even as panic clawed at my chest. "Just a headache from the drinking."

I forced myself to keep calm, but my mind was spinning. If it wasn't Charlotte in my bed, then who had I spent the night with? Who had deceived me so completely?

Later that morning, walking to a council meeting, I caught a scent in the corridor that made my wolf stir with sudden recognition. Something that had been nagging at the edge of my memory since I woke.

"Hello , Jeffrey."

I turned, and Emmalaine was standing right there.

"Did you enjoy last night?" she asked, her voice low and taunting.

Everything crashed into place with sickening clarity. Very cautiously, Emmalaine looked at me, her eyes wide. She smiled, a smug, satisfied look that seemed especially evil. Instantly I was infuriated.

It had been Emmalaine in my bed.

"Are you here because you didn't get enough of last night?" she purred.

With a swift motion I grabbed her neck and slammed her against the wall. "If you ever speak a word about last night," I growled, my voice barely audible, "I will kill you myself. And it will be slow and painful."