Chapter 7

Rayne

Reed’s warm hands trailed down my chest, his fingers nimble as they worked at my belt. My breath hitched as he unbuckled it, pulling it free before undoing my zipper. He looked up at me, his coffee-brown eyes gleaming with playful affection, the kind of look I’d come to know so well.

“Just relax, babe,” he murmured, his voice low and soft. “Let me take care of you.”

I nodded slowly, though the knot in my stomach didn’t loosen. When Reed wrapped his hand around me, stroking me with practiced ease, a shaky sigh escaped my lips. I leaned back against the headboard, closing my eyes and letting the warmth of his touch wash over me.

This was Reed. My Reed. The person I loved most in the world.

I should have been content, but my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. As his lips replaced his hand, enveloping me in heat, I felt a pang of guilt twist in my chest.

I loved Reed. I loved him.

Didn’t I?

The memory of my mark on Amber's neck, of the bond thrumming faintly in the back of my mind, made my stomach churn. I hated it—hated her. I hated what that night had done to my life, to our life.

We’d met when I was ten, and he was eight. Even back then, there had been something about him that drew me in, something I couldn’t explain. He was small for his age, with this mop of soft, brown hair that always fell into his eyes, and he had a smart mouth that got him in trouble more often than not. But I liked that about him. I liked everything about him.

I told myself it was just friendship, the kind of bond kids formed when they instantly clicked. He was my best friend, my only friend, the person I wanted to spend all my time with.

But when I hit puberty, everything changed.

I started noticing things I hadn’t before. The way his hair shone in the sunlight, the way his laugh made my chest feel tight and light all at once, the way my heart skipped a beat when he smiled at me. It confused the hell out of me. I didn’t understand why I felt this way about him, why the idea of holding his hand or brushing his hair out of his face suddenly made me feel like I couldn’t breathe.

And when I finally realized what it was—what I felt for Reed—it terrified me.

He was my best friend. The thought of losing him because of something as stupid as my feelings kept me silent for years. What if I told him and he didn’t feel the same? What if I ruined everything?

But I couldn’t keep it inside forever.

I remember the night I confessed like it was yesterday. I was sixteen, and I’d spent hours pacing my room, rehearsing the words over and over until they didn’t even sound real anymore. My hands were shaking when I finally sat him down, and I could barely look at him.

“I think I like you,” I blurted out, my voice barely audible. “More than a friend. More than I’m supposed to.”

The silence that followed was agonizing. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might actually throw up. I’d braced myself for rejection, for disgust, for the possibility that he’d walk out of my life forever. But instead, Reed smiled.

“I… I like you too, Rayne.” He replied, his tone light but honest. “A lot. I've had this massive crush on you for a while now, I was scared you'd hate me.”

Those words changed everything.

Our first kiss was awkward as hell. I didn’t know what I was doing, and neither did he. I remember leaning in too fast and bumping noses, and the two of us bursting into laughter before we tried again. It wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t matter. His lips were warm and soft, and the way he smiled against my mouth made my chest ache.

We started dating in secret after that, sneaking moments whenever we could. It wasn’t easy—not in a Pack as rigid and narrow-minded as ours. But none of that mattered to me. Reed was worth it. He was everything.

When I turned eighteen, we decided to take things to the next level.

We planned it carefully, choosing a night when we knew we wouldn’t be interrupted. I was nervous as hell, terrified of hurting him or screwing it up somehow. He was a Beta, which meant he couldn’t produce slick like an Omega, so I made sure to use plenty of lube. Too much, honestly. I was so worried about hurting him that I ended up making a mess, fumbling with the bottle and spilling it all over the sheets.

Reed laughed, his cheeks flushed, and told me to relax.

“You’re not going to hurt me,” he said softly, his hands cupping my face. “I trust you, Rayne.”

Even then, I hesitated. I took my time, watching his reactions carefully, making sure everything I did felt good for him. His breath hitched when I finally entered him, and I froze, terrified that I’d hurt him.

“Don’t stop,” he whispered, his voice breathless. “Please, don’t stop.”

I didn’t.

It was awkward and messy and perfect. I remember every second of it—the way he blushed when I kissed his neck, the way his hands trembled as he held onto me, the way he whispered my name like it was the only thing that mattered.

That night, I realized what love really was. It wasn’t just the heat or the physical connection. It was the trust, the vulnerability, the feeling of giving yourself completely to someone else and knowing they’d do the same for you.

Reed taught me that. He taught me what it meant to love and be loved.

I loved him then, and I loved him now.

I’d always planned to make it official. I had it all figured out—once Reed graduated, I’d propose. I didn’t care what our parents or the Pack thought. They could disown us, cast us out—it didn’t matter. As long as I had Reed, I had everything I needed.

But then Amber happened.

Before that night, she was just Reed’s best friend. I’d met her a handful of times, thought she was quiet and unremarkable. I barely gave her a second thought. I could’ve never imagined she would turn out to be my mate.

Eden stirred in the back of my mind, his presence insistent and smug. ‘She’s not just our mate,’ he growled. ‘She’s our destiny. The one we’re meant to be with.’

I clenched my jaw, shoving his voice away.

No, I told him firmly. Reed is the one I’m meant to be with. I don’t care what you or the goddess think. I love him. I chose him.

Eden growled softly, but I ignored him, focusing on the warmth of Reed’s mouth as he moved over me.

The memories of our time together—the years of love, of laughter, of promises whispered in the dark—flooded my mind. Every moment we’d shared had built the life I wanted, the life I would fight to protect.

I groaned, my head falling back against the headboard as Reed’s movements sent a wave of heat rushing through me.

“I love you,” I murmured, barely aware of the words as they slipped out.

Reed hummed in response, his mouth still around my length and the vibrations made me groan in pleasure as his hand returned to the base of my cock, stroking as he continued to slurp and tongue my tip. My breath hitched, my body tightening as the heat coiled low in my stomach, building to a breaking point.

As I spilled into his mouth, my vision blurred, and my heart thudded heavily in my chest. For a moment, everything felt right again.

But as the haze of pleasure faded, the weight of reality crept back in. The bond hummed faintly, a cruel reminder that Amber still existed, still lingered in the corner of my mind like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

No. I wouldn’t let her ruin this.

I’d made my decision. My feelings for Reed weren’t going to change—not now, not ever.

I would find a way to break the mate bond with Amber, no matter what it took. Even if it left her ruined for the rest of her life.