Page 132 of Aine

I hum, Freya’s name leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

“I can see how that would make her upset.” I try to keep any judgment out of my tone. I probably wouldn’t enjoy being his beast’s second choice if I were Olivia, but I understand it’s not exactly something Alex can control. “At least you two are mated now.” I point to the mark on his neck. “If that isn’t a sign you’ve chosen her, I don’t know what is.”

My lips purse when Alex goes red and looks away, his hand raising to rub at the back of his neck.

“What?” I ask, my voice sharp.

“I haven’t exactly marked Olivia back, which is part of the reason she’s so upset,” Alex explains. “She thinks I’m leaving my options open.”

“Are you?”

I was under the impression he was excited to officially claim Olivia, and I can’t help but find it suspicious he’s yet to do so. I shift in my seat and glare, ready to lunge if he says he’s contemplating getting back together with Freya.

Alex hurries to shake his head.

“It’s not like that at all,” he starts, sucking in a deep breath before continuing. “There’s a marking ceremony a lot of beasts partake in, and I want to have one. It’ll show the pack she’s mine, and I want her to have the same celebration the fated mates get.”

Wetness fills his eyes as he speaks, but I pretend I don’t notice as he pauses and looks away to calm down. His jaw clenches as he settles, his stiff posture slowly relaxing.

“They don’t respect her as a mate because it’s not fated, and I hope the ceremony will change their minds.” Alex shakes out his arms and head before turning to me. I don’t push the subject as he grabs my hand and drags me into the living room, clearly done with the conversation.

He politely ignores my occasional glance out the back door as he pulls out a deck of cards and starts explaining the rules of some new game he just learned. It’s simple enough, and much to Alex’s annoyance, I seem to be better at it than him.

We play three different games before settling on one he doesn’t lose every time, and I have half a mind to start betting money when Alex looks at the back door and groans.

“Mate!”

Damien comes busting in, his arms spreading wide as I turn and jump off the couch. He laughs as I barrel into him, our mutual excitement coursing through me as he wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me into the air.

This day has dragged on forever without him by my side.

“I missed you,” he says.

Alex grunts. “You were gone for less than four hours.”

I’ve beaten him twice in a row, and this was the hand he was finally going to win. My feet dangle off the ground as Damien swings me back and forth, his throat vibrating against my cheek as he snaps at Alex for being rude.

They continue to bicker as Damien moves to the couch opposite Alex and plops down. I gasp at his sudden actions, spluttering as I sprawl unattractively across his lap. Damien mindlessly helps me adjust as he continues arguing with Alex, halting mid-sentence when he takes in my frustrated reaction.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He grimaces, pausing. “That was probably a lot for you. I forget your reaction time’s a bit slower than mine.”

Alex snorts, muttering something about Damien being dense as he stands and swipes the cards off the table. I’m sure he’s anxious to return to Olivia, especially since they seem to be fighting.

“Thanks for keeping me company,” I say, smiling up at him.

Alex nods, blowing a kiss to us before leaving. Damien doesn’t wait for the door to even close before throwing himself over top of me.

“I missed you,” he whispers, planting kisses all over my cheeks.

I giggle, enjoying this playful side of him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in such a good mood, his happiness reinforcing my decision to make him go to work. Damien continues to press wet kisses on my face, slowly moving inward to my lips.

He moans when he finally kisses me properly, the noise making my blood warm. His hips press between mine, rubbing against my sex before he pulls away with a cheeky grin. I can’t hold back my quiet huff when he disconnects his body from mine, upset he’s not pushing this any further.

Just because I’m sore doesn’t mean I don’t want him inside me.

“We shouldn’t do anything while you’re still recovering,” he teases. “I don’t enjoy breaking my mate with my fat, giant, girthy, out-of-this-world, amazing cock.”

I snort, fake-gagging at his words. Just because they’re true doesn’t mean they ever need to be said. Besides, the last thing I need is Damien’s ego growing any larger.

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