Page 14 of Unloved Mate

“Let me help you with that.” He offered. I put on the corset, and he laced it, tightening his grip until he had successfully knotted it at the end. “Is that too tight?” He leaned closer to my ears, pressing his hands on the small of my back.

“No. I can breathe just fine.” I said, and let him hold me, reveling in the sparks that came with our bodies being so close. I sucked in a deep breath, and he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ears.

“Before the end of the night, I'll be the one unlacingyour corset and claiming your body,” his deep, throaty voice grumbled, doing things to my insides. “You are so hard to resist, little wolf.” He nibbled on my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Goddess, every time this man was close to me, he drove me to the edge, awakening desires that left me yearning for him. Just like that night in the forest when he chased me or when he carried me in his arms and escaped from the Eclipse's territory.

“Kane, I need to…” I was saying, but he interrupted me, “You’ll tell me whatever it is when I have you at my mercy.”

“Mm.” I groaned and he took my arms with a smile and ushered me out of the room.

The pack was waiting for us.

9

Valor

Tonight was a fucking full moon. I guess I was so wrapped up in what was happening with these two men that I had lost track of fucking time. I didn't want to be here on a full moon because, since my double rejection, I hated going to the full moon runs. Although I did once in a while, it was a reminder that I wasn't enough and I didn't want that. Not when I was with him. That feeling has somehow gotten rid of the joy I was feeling at being with Kane.

We had arrived at the venue of the ball, which the pack members dedicated to their new Alpha. It was the same thing Night Shade did for Logan when he ascended as Alpha. Except in this case, the Midnight Shadow Lycans celebrated their Alpha’s survival. I didn't bother to listen to them eavesdrop because I believed Kane would tell me his story whenever he felt it was the right time. He still had his hands wrapped around my waist as he introduced me to the family. “This is Valor, my date.” He said with an excited expression on his face.

“Hello, everyone.” I replied to them, extending my hands to the first man. He had a light brown skin tone that marched with his curly black hair and brown irises. “Beta Rohan.” He introduced himself.

“I’m Asher,” the other guy said. He had a brown skin color, and gray irises. His eye color made him stand out from the others. “Gamma.”

“This is Leda. The pack’s witch.” Kane introduced thewoman in their midst.

“I can introduce myself, Kane. I'm Leda Fairfax,” she took my hands in a handshake. She smiled at me, her blue irises holding my silver with her long, straight black hair cascading down her ivory skin. “Welcome to Midnight Shadow Pack.”

“Thank you so much, all of you.” I prattled with a grin.

“Come on, let's get a glass of wine.” Kane said, still holding onto me. I gave him a smile, and we both sauntered to the bar at the corner of the room, which was overflowing with wine. They were servers helping with distributing the wine and I wondered why we weren't taking from them.

“I just wanted to know if you're ok.”

“I am.”

“I know you have a lot of questions about all of this, and I promise to answer them,” he reassured, leaning closer and placing a kiss on my earlobe. I gave him a nod. We arrived at the bar, and he leaned against the counter, signaling the bartender for a bottle. “Anyway, I don't want us to take what they're serving, because I'm sure Asher must have fucked it up. We don't get drunk, but he adds some sort of shit to it, heightening its effect. Just for the fun.”

“Mm hmm.” I nodded. The bartender poured us two glasses of wine, and we took them, taking a swig and turning to the Lycan bloods present.

We went from drinking wine to dancing to the music. I enjoyed having Kane so close to my body, holding me, my wolf giddy to be with him. But I still felt a chill of fear running through my spine, knowing that I would have to face turning down Kane’s offer to join him for the run. I didn't think I wanted to be out there. Of course, I loved running in wolf form and feeling the bond with other shifters, but I didn't feel like it all the time. Kane was really concerned about my welfare duringthe time we danced together, asking me if I was alright but my response was always the same.

“Yes, I'm fine.” I answered when he asked for the umpteenth time.

“Then say it like you have life in yourself,” he chuckled, concern in his eyes. The other shifters had left to prepare for the moon run, and it was just me and him in the ballroom, swaying to the music. “Valor, I'd understand if you want to go back. I can take you back.” He reassured and let me go, turning away and palming his face in frustration.

“No, it's not that.” I shook my head.

“Then what is it?” He quizzed and cleared the distance between us, taking my hands and placing it on his chest, a possessive rumble emerging from his throat. “I know we don't know each other very much. But I want you to understand that I'll listen to you whenever you're ready to share your problem.”

“I can't go to the full moon run.” I wrapped my hands around his and led him to the stairs. We both sat down facing the moon, which was halfway up in the sky. “I’m sorry.” I said, averting my gaze from him.

“Hey, you don't have to apologize. I would never make you feel less about what you want, even if it's not in my favor.”

“It’s just that it reminds me of the rejection I faced. I mean, what if it happens again?”

“I won't let that happen,” he answered quickly, faster than I expected, and I narrowed my gaze at him. “Look, Valor. You don’t have to put your life on hold because a bunch of idiots didn’t see you for who you’re. Beautiful,” he reached out to my cheek and brushed his knuckles against it. “You can’t let them have that power over you.”

“But sometimes it makes me feel like I'm not enough. But I know I am. It's just that the experiences I've had just keep reminding me. I know I should move on, I know, I know, but it'shard. Some days, everything is good and the next, it's like you're having the worst days of your life.”

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