Page 13 of Alpha Scorned

Devon pulled back, jigging up and down with happiness, his little hands grasping onto Owen’s t-shirt. “Wen!” he giggled excitedly.

Owen grinned. “It’s Owen. Come on, little man, try and say it. O...wen.” He made an exaggerated O with his lips and said it a couple of times. Devon watched him solemnly, then nodded like he’d made a decision.

“O-wen,” he repeated.

“Good boy.”

“Momma! O-wen! O-wen!” Devon shouted to me from where my feet were frozen to the spot.

Owen’s focus flew from my son to me. His whole body stiffened and his jaw muscles popped when he clenched his jaw. His eyes narrowed, and in seconds they became colder than I’d ever seen. Devon must have sensed something because his smile dropped and he clutched tightly at Owen’s shoulders.

I swallowed against my dry throat as Owen strode across the compound, stopping about six feet from me. His gaze seared me as he let it travel from my face, slowly moving down my body and back up again. My heart slammed against my ribs, and my stomach was all kinds of messed up. That look had my face burning, and not in a good way. My outfit had been the last thing on my mind that morning. I had on a pale blue blouse, a pair of loose black slacks, and flat sensible shoes. I looked dowdy and boring, and I knew it. But I’d never wanted to attract anyone’s attention in the pack. I’d lost weight, and my hair was pulled back tightly into a ponytail. Getting ready in the morning was hard enough with a stubborn toddler. Styling my hair and applying loads of makeup was not on my agenda. It had never bothered me—until now.

“Selina.” Owen’s top lip curled into a derisive smirk, his eyes glinting. “I’d like to say it’s nice to see you. But it’s not.” His eyes did another quick sweep. “You look…” His brows pulled down. “...tired.”

More heat filled my cheeks at the inferred insult, and I swallowed against my sudden urge to cry. I did. I was. He was right. Where as he looked like he’d just stepped from the cover of a fucking fitness journal. I didn’t bother to answer. His look and tone said it all. He hadn't forgiven me, and he sure as shit wasn’t here to win me back. The fact that he’d come with some of his brothers only cemented that fact. This was official business. Where was Shane? He’d never let these powerful males into his territory without being there to greet them. Knowing that Owen hadn’t returned to fight for me made me feel unspeakably sad, but I’d made my choice so now I had to live with it. Though it didn’t matter how hard I’d tried to move on since I’d rejected him, I couldn’t. His scent was ingrained in my soul, and his nearness affected me so much even my wolf stirred. His power grazed over my skin and my heart raced, heat pooling between my legs. I wanted to step closer and run my hands over that beautiful body, to kiss his full mouth and taste him again. A groan almost escaped me.

Owen inhaled and his nostrils flared. Mates could scent each other’s arousal. Lust, and a whole heap of embarrassment flushed my cheeks.

Oh gods, I had to get away.

I wasn’t prepared for being turned on just by being near him. I’d wanted our bond to fade so that both of us could live our lives away from each other. It couldn’t still be as strong after me rejecting him. It couldn’t! My exhaled breath was shaky. Shit, we hadn’t even done more than kiss. What would this lust be like if we sealed our bond?

“Devon, go back to your mother,” Owen said, and placed Devon on the ground instead of passing him into my arms. His steel grey eyes surveyed me coldly. “He shouldn’t be running across the street, Selina. You need to watch him more closely, as any decent mother would.”

Unbidden, tears sprang to my eyes, followed by a rush of anger. How dare he question my ability as a mother!? Fury had my angry retort lodging in my throat, but my fists clenched. He deserved his ass kicked for that callous remark, no matter how angry or hurt he was. I was a good mother, or as good as I could be...and he knew it. Ignoring my obvious desire to throat punch him, he squatted down. “Listen, Dev, I’m going to be really, really busy while I’m here. I won’t have a lot of time to see you, not this visit. I’ll try, but I can’t promise. Okay, buddy?”

Devon’s lip trembled, but he nodded bravely.

Owen ruffled his hair. “Good boy. And no more running across the street like that. Okay?”

Devon lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet. “‘Kay. Sowy.”

My heart squeezed. My son always listened to Owen. He hero-worshipped him.

Owen nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. He squeezed Devon’s shoulder as he straightened up. Without looking at me again, he turned and walked away.

Devon went to run after him. “O-wen!”

I caught Devon’s wrist before he could get far and hauled him into my arms.

My son’s need to be with Owen was heartbreaking. He’d not seen him for a year. That was eons in a child’s life, and he still wanted to be held in those strong arms. For that moment in time between Devon and Owen, Devon had looked happier than I’d seen him in months. Now he sniffled, watching the male who’d always had time for him walk away.

“Wen!” Devon cried out again, reaching his little hands out. Owen looked back over his shoulder and gave Devon a small smile. “I’ll see you later, kiddo. Okay?” Then he walked away.

Leaning against the cars, familiar faces watched the scene unfold. Zander’s attention rested on my son, but Rawson and Stone watched me with hard expressionless faces. I got it, I really did, I’d hurt their brother. I rejected him, and that was unforgivable in any supernatural race.

Robin picked up Owen’s bag and handed it to him, letting her fingers brush the skin of his forearm. I didn’t miss the way she stared at him, batting her eyelashes. Jealousy burned in my chest, but it was a useless emotion. I didn’t have any right to feel possessive over my soulmate, not anymore. Trying to ignore them all, I kissed Devon’s cheek. “Shh, little one, it’s fine. You can see Owen again another time. He’s just busy right now.”

Devon didn’t say anything, but looked morosely after Owen. “Wen,” he whispered and sniffled again. I kissed his cheek. I could understand his dejection. I felt it to my very bones.

“You okay, Selina?”

I jumped at Lucas’s voice.

“Fine,” I lied. Since returning from Scotland, I’d locked down my emotions, all except for the perpetual sadness dragging at my chest. Now Owen was here, and my draw to him had only gotten stronger, not weaker as I’d hoped. My wolf was whining in my ears and Owen’s hostility had knocked the wind from me. I didn’t know how to deal with it.

“You want some help with Devon? I have some time. I can carry him to daycare for you, if you’d like?” Lucas smiled, his gaze sliding to the males by the car before meeting mine.

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