Page 45 of The Wolf's Mate

“We were so deeply in debt because of me. My father was the main breadwinner of the family, and when he died…we all struggled. My mother most of all. I tried to help with the bills, but I couldn’t keep a job and fucked up the small income I had.”

Hettie goes silent. She blinks rapidly, holding back tears. Her small body trembles, and I feel her fear through the bond. Fear of the past? Or fear of telling me? I’m not certain, but I don’t push her to say more. I don’t fill the silence with useless talk either. I let her words sit between us until she’s ready to continue.

“So, I made a deal with Ender,” she says after a pregnant pause. “That I would come here and marry the King Alpha, and he will make sure my mother and sister are taken care of. I don’t know if he held up his end of the bargain?—”

“He did.”

Hettie snaps her head up. Her expression is a mixture of hope and relief. “He did? How do you know? Have you talked to him?”

“I haven’t talked to him,” I admit, and her body deflates. But I quickly add, “He’s bound by his word. All Guardians are, or were. Ender is the last one, I think. If your contract stated he’d take care of your family, then he has. Your sister and mother are living the life you have always wanted them to have.”

This time, tears fall down her cheeks, but there’s no sadness in her eyes. Only relief and something that resembles acceptance. Acceptance of her mistakes. Acceptance of the future she provided for them but will not be part of. It was a selfless act and one her family might never truly understand.

But I do.

“I know why Ender chose you for me.”

Hettie tilts her head and scrunches up her nose in a way that’s both adorable and funny. “Why?”

My finger curls, gesturing for her to come to me. Hettie just stares, and I think she’s going to ignore my wish until I hear her chair rubbing against the concrete. There’s no hesitation as she draws near and promptly sits her pretty ass down on my lap. I hadn’t expected her to actually comply, but this woman is full of surprises.

This close, I can properly admire every curve of her body. The way her pouty lips look painted in red. The smell of lavender that is distinctly her. The same smell all over my sheets. My clothes. My skin. It drives me fucking wild, and she doesn’t even know the effect she has on me. If she did, she wouldn’t be sitting on my lap right now. Not when I want to ruin her from the inside out.

“Do I have to ask again, Alpha?” the seductress purrs, eliciting a growl from deep within my chest.

My body responds to her, and I’m helpless to stop it. I bring my hand up to tangle in her hair, grabbing hold and giving it the smallest of tugs. Hettie bites her lip as her desire permeates the air. “He chose you because you are a true Luna. Because you understand what sacrifice is. You put others before yourself to a detriment, I might add. You’re strong, Hettie. No one else deserves the title but you.”

“Careful, Alpha,” she says breathlessly, “it almost sounds as if you like me.”

“And if I do?” I draw her closer until our chests touch and I feel her heart beating against mine. “Would that be so bad, Dove?”

“Only if you come to realize you don’t care for me.” Her voice is so small, reminding me of a scared doe. I don’t know the other men who came before me, but they all deserve to have their hearts ripped from their chest. I’d do it. If she wanted me to. Present them on a platter for her.

Because somehow Hettie has wound her way around my heart and squeezes it tight. There are a million reasons we shouldn’t take this any further. It’s too dangerous. I’ll get distracted. Hettie could get hurt…

But none of them stop me as I press my lips against her shoulder. It’s a soft touch, barely there at all. Still, I feel Hettie shiver under my touch. “A man who doesn’t care for you is a fool, Dove, and I’ve never been a foolish man. Stubborn and impatient? Plenty of times. But never foolish.

“Kiss me, Rip.”

The words are the permission I need to stop fighting the urge to make her mine that has only grown stronger since our mating ceremony. My lips are on her, and I devour my mate. She tastes of champagne, and I lick away every drop. Hettie moans, and I think that sound will be my undoing.

I break apart from her abruptly.

“Rip—?” she cries, clearly confused by my sudden change.

I sweep my hand across the table of our plates, glasses, and utensils. It all clatters to the floor, making a mess I’ll feel bad about later. There’s nothing more appetizing to me at this moment than the woman rubbing herself against me.

I lay Hettie down on top of it, my eyes roaming over the expanse of her body. “You make me a starving man, Hettie. I almost think you enjoy teasing your alpha.”

“Rip,” she whines. “Just fucking kiss me.”

And so I do.

I claim her lips, prying them apart with my tongue. She opens beautifully for me, a sigh of pleasure leaving her lips. She’s laid out for me like a feast I’m dying to devour. I’ve been patient. I’ve made sure she’s comfortable. All the while, my wolf howls and rages for me to take her. She’s mine and needs to be claimed as mine.

“Rip,” she pleads, bunching up my shirt in her small hands. She’s so tiny and delicate, but it’s all a mirage. My mate is steel and unbreakable.

I slide my hand up the outside of her dress until I feel the curve of her full breast. I hesitate only a second, allowing her time to stop me if she wishes, but Hettie leans into my touch.

---