Page 23 of Alpha Scorned

“Not everyone in this pack can be trusted, well, not all the males at least.”

His low growl and the feel of his Alpha power made me gasp. “Did someone hurt you?” He stepped so close that his chest touched my back.

To distract myself from his overwhelming presence, I reached up and tried to close the curtains but the action loosened the towel. With a quiet squeal, I grabbed it to my chest.

Owen’s jaw clenched. “I’ll do it,” he said.

With my muddled brain, I didn’t know if he meant the curtains or my towel. Heat burned my cheeks and I wasn’t prepared when his arms and his body boxed me in so that he could reach the curtains before he tugged them closed. Task completed he didn’t step away, instead his front remained flush against my back. Tension thickened the air around us. He didn’t step away. Neither did I. I couldn’t. Oh, my mind knew I should, but my body really wasn’t on board with being sensible. Breathing raggedly, he wrapped his arms firmly around me, resting his chin on the top of my head. “I’ve missed you so much, Lina.”

I closed my eyes, swallowing hard. It had been as far back as when I’d first been rescued from the prison that he’d held me close like this. Being cradled in his arms was as amazing as I remembered. My eyes burned. He’d not held me close like this since then because I’d always pushed him away. I didn’t want to push him away anymore. Instead, I gave in. I closed my eyes and leaned back into his warmth, just enjoying the strength of his powerful body surrounding me.

I’d missed him too. From the moment he’d left to help Connor find Ember, I’d missed him. I’d known he was my soulmate, and when he’d left, I’d tried so hard to reconnect with my wolf, but she had still been too scared to show herself. She was a fierce spirit, but the demons had tortured her every time I shifted, until she’d become petrified of the outside world, and eventually, no matter how much pain they’d inflicted on me, she wouldn’t allow a shift. Now she didn’t trust me, nor was she interested in becoming corporeal in the outside world. I didn’t blame her, not after what had happened in the prison.

But none of what had happened to us was Owen’s fault, and now that he’d publicly claimed me, I couldn’t bring myself to push him away again. I inhaled deeply and made a decision that I could only hope was the right one. When the time was right, I’d tell him about my wolf. Maybe he could help me…

It felt so right to be pressed up against him like this, with the hard planes of his chest pushed against my bare upper back and shoulders, to have the steel of his arms wrapped around me, holding me protectively. Yet he wasn’t smothering me, almost as if he was trying not to crowd me. I squeezed my eyes shut and swallowed hard. He was being mindful of my past, trying not to scare me. He was thinking of me even though he’d left himself vulnerable by claiming me. He knew I could reject him again, but I wasn’t going to. Lying about my feelings for him was pointless, it was breaking us both. I swallowed my anxiety. Perhaps this was just a dream, or a cruel joke to get back at me. Maybe he didn’t really want me at all. Familiar panic tightened my chest. No, I reasoned, Owen wouldn’t do that. He wasn’t like that. Before I could chicken out, I forced myself to speak. “I missed you, too,” I said, bracing myself for his possible rejection.

His body stiffened then he pulled slowly away, turning me to face him. “Lina?” he whispered. Hope and wariness shone in his eyes. I clutched onto my towel with all my strength, my knuckles turning white. I had no idea what I was doing; except that I couldn’t let him go, any more than I could let him destroy himself, or allow his brothers to end his life because of me. He was still a part of me, mine to protect, just as he had protected me in the past. And Iwouldprotect him, even if in the end, he would have to let me go. I was certain that the King of Shifters would never let his second in command be mated to a crippled shifter.

I tipped my head back and stared at him, my heart beat loud in my ears. “I’m so sorry, Owen.”

His throat bobbed, a small frown creasing his brow. He appeared genuinely confused. “What for?”

Unable to hold his gaze, I dropped mine to the floor. No matter my alpha instincts, I couldn’t hold his gaze, not now that I knew what my actions had cost him. I’d hurt my mate. I’d put him in danger, and that was the last thing I’d ever wanted. My words got stuck in my throat.

A gentle touch from his finger under my chin urged my head up. “Selina?” His voice was hoarse. “Talk to me.”

I forced the words out before I lost my nerve. “For rejecting you. For not fighting for us. The last thing I ever wanted to do was put you in danger, or send you on a path of self-destruction. You have to believe me,” I whispered.

His throat bobbed, his nostrils flaring. “Are you rescinding your rejection?” His voice caught, his eyes turning dark and stormy.

Holding back a sob at the hurt I’d caused him, I bit my bottom lip, and nodded.

Long dark lashes brushed his cheeks as he closed his eyes, a pained look crossing his features. When he opened them again, they were glittering orbs of yellow. His wolf stared out at me. Silently, he let me go and walked out of Devon’s room.

My heart pounded, and my whole body trembled. He held my heart in his hands. Would he crush it, like I had done his? I took the time to re-secure my towel, inhaled a deep fortifying breath, and followed him.

The living room was lit by one lamp but it was enough to illuminate the most gorgeous male I’d ever set eyes on. The sight stole my breath. Owen was sprawled in one of the armchairs next to the open fireplace surveying me with a predatory gleam in his eyes. “Sit,” he instructed, that one word was full of uncompromising command.

I didn’t have to do anything he said, his Alpha compulsion wouldn’t work on me, but I wanted to. For once, I wanted to please him, for him to want me as much as I did him. Trying to keep my legs from wobbling, I walked towards the armchair opposite him.

“Not there,” he said, his voice like velvet. “Here.” He patted his thighs. Warm slick heat dampened the skin between my legs and he inhaled, a wicked smile gracing his full mouth.

“You want me to sit in your lap?” I croaked, heat flushing my whole body.

Danger flashed in his eyes, his teeth gleaming white. He didn’t answer, merely raised his brows and waited. Electricity charged the air between us. Feeling like a mouse trapped by a very large, very sexy predator, I slowly walked between his large thighs. I was no shrinking violet, but this was my mate. He’d always stirred up a whole heap of emotions that I had no idea how to handle. His closeness made me nervous and vulnerable. He was the only one who had ever made me feel that way, and it was both exciting and terrifying to know he held such power over me. That was one of the reasons I’d told him I’d taken Shane as a lover. I didn’t care for Shane beyond respect and friendship, which meant I wasn’t vulnerable with him, my heart was protected. Owen was so very different. He made me feel things with such intensity, I was totally at his mercy.

He adjusted his bulk against the back of the chair and gently but firmly took hold of one of my wrists. Fascinated by the sight of his strong, calloused fingers next to my pale skin, I wasn’t prepared when he yanked me against him then swept my legs from under me, lifting me into his lap. I yelped and grabbed onto his large biceps, convinced I was about to land on my ass on the floor.

“Yes. Though what I really want is you sitting on my cock as I bury myself in your heat, but there are things we need to talk about before that’s going to happen, so my lap will do for now.”

Mother Wolf, I didn’t know what to say to that. For once, I just wanted to let myself melt against his beautiful body and enjoy the comfort and protection only he could give me, but it was all an illusion. As soon as he knew I was basically human, he’d have to make an impossible choice, his family, or me. I let go of his arms and folded my fingers tightly into the towel, holding it closed. Could I really ask him to do that?

Around his neck were the tell tale scars of the silver collar. I couldn’t help but stare at them, just the same as I couldn’t stop myself from using a fingertip to trace the stunning tattoos that covered his right pectoral muscle. A wolf stared out at me. It looked so real I believed it would move or blink when I touched where its graceful features morphed into that of an ethereal and beautiful woman. “Is this the Mother Wolf?” I whispered, my finger following the curve of her lips and chin. Owen’s muscles turned to rock, goosebumps rising on his skin.

“No, she is another wolf-goddess,” was all he said, his voice low and rumbling. “One who is never far from my heart.”

Even as I wondered what he meant, my mouth dried out and desire heated my blood. His skin was soft and warm under my trembling fingers, his scent filling my nostrils. Forcing air into my tight lungs became harder. I'd never touched him like this, I’d never been brave enough, nor had he ever encouraged me to. Had that been because of my past? Had he believed I was too traumatised for that kind of connection? Well, he wasn’t far wrong. Dark images tried to push through my desire and take root in my mind. My breathing hitched. No. I had to stay in the here and now, I couldn’t let my past take this moment from me, too. It had already taken so much.

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