Page 28 of Country and Clove
“Aaron,” Clove whispered. He brushed his lips across hers.
“That’s my girl,” he breathed out, peppering her neck with kisses. Clove’s hands came up and pressed against his chest, pushing him a step back. Her green and gold eyes were much clearer now. A look of disappointment flashed across her glimmering irises.
“Except I’m not yours, am I?” Her words were a loaded gun and he knew his response would pull the trigger.
“I want you. I do. But—”
She shoved him off of her, her eyes hardening. She fled the room without another word, leaving peaches and honeysuckle trailing behind her. Aaron groaned.Fuck. Where did he go from here?
CHAPTER12
Clove was furious with herself. How had she thought things were going to be okay after that? How had she let herself believe that a few minutes of pleasure would heal the damage wreaking havoc on her heart? Her eyes blurred but she fought back the tears threatening to spill from them. It felt so right to be with Aaron. Everything about him called to her and made her veins burn with a need that melted away the aching wounds of her past.
This wasn’t how things were meant to be. Every other pair of fated mates in the complex were living out their happiest ever-afters. Which meant Clove had front-row seats to everything she was missing out on. Every day. Forever.
The complex swam past in a sea of movement and bodies. A few lycans gave her courteous nods as they strode to whatever duty they had for the day. Clove wasn’t an integral part of the social circle or work force in the complex so people rarely addressed her by name. She occasionally got a confused look and knew whoever was staring at her face was thinking of her twin, wondering why Ginger would dye her hair. Clove either ignored them or politely informed them she was the other twin. Ginger was a piece of Clove’s heart so vital and life-sustaining, she’d never trade anything in the world for the bond they shared. That being said, being a twin could be horribly stifling at times.
“Tell your sister congrats!” a dark-haired assistant with glasses and a beaming smile called out. Clove gave him a tight smile that quickly dipped into a frown. Watching Ginger and her mate each day was like having someone stomp on the broken pieces of her heart again and again.
Why couldn’t Aaron accept their bond? Didn’t he realize he was breaking her in ways she’d never be able to recover from?
“Clove!” an excited voice rang from down the hall. Aria’s beautiful, bouncing form came bounding forward. A light clicked on in Clove’s mind as she watched one of her dearest friends close in on her.
Aria had acted so strange the morning of tryouts. Everything felt fishy now. The way she had been so shocked to hear the news of Clove joining the recruits, and then practically shoved her out the door to get started. Aaron told Clove that Aria and Lark were the only ones who knew they were mates. And if Aria also knew that Aaron was the trainer...
“Hey girl! How are things—”
Clove slammed Aria against the wall without thought, pinning the smaller woman behind the flattened edge of her forearm. Aria’s bright blue eyes went wide with shock.
“You knew, didn’t you? That Aaron was the trainer?” Clove’s voice was venomous and filled with a hate that she didn’t recognize. Guilt colored Aria’s cheeks pink.
“I thought if I told you, that—”
“That I wouldn’t have gone? Because my rejected mate was the one in charge?” Aria nodded sheepishly. “How could you set me up like that? You screwed me over, Aria. I went in there completely unprepared. Do you understand how hard this has been?” Clove’s voice cracked.
“I’m sorry, I was hoping the two of you would work things out.” Aria’s voice was soft and sad.
“It is not your place to make those decisions.” Clove intensified the pressure of her hold and Aria winced. Anger and despair clawed up her throat, fighting for dominance. A firm hand landed hard on Clove’s shoulder and fingers dug into her flesh.
“Release my mate.” Lark’s words were a feral growl as they ran ragged through her ears. She peered over at him and found his eyes had settled into that eerie red that only materialized in the worst situations. Lark hardened his grip, squeezing until something popped and Clove cried out.
“Fucking hell. Let’s everybody calm down.” Graham’s thick accent cut through the tension as he appeared nearby. No one moved. Graham gripped her other arm, gently pulling her away from Aria. Lark’s murderous hold remained on her shoulder.
“Lark,” Aria pleaded, “let Clove go, she didn’t mean anything. She’s just hurting right now. The baby and I are fine.” She stroked her hands gently down her mate’s face. Lark looked Aria up and down, assessing for wounds before finally loosening his hold on Clove.
“If you touch her like that again I’ll kill you.” Lark’s eyes hadn’t switched back from the ominous, swirling crimson. Clove took an instinctive step back and Graham’s hold on her tightened as he pulled her close.
“Lark!” Aria raised her hand to her mouth in horror. She turned to Clove, her eyes brimming. “He doesn’t mean that. He’s just feeling extra protective right now.” Aria made a move toward Clove but Lark stepped in front of her. The last thing Clove saw were Aria’s pleading sapphire eyes before Lark took hold of her and they teleported out of existence.
Shame sent ice trickling through Clove’s veins as she thought of what had just happened. Her experience with Aaron, the way she assaulted Aria, the look in Lark’s eyes when he threatened to kill her. Graham’s hold on her arm loosened and he let out a low whistle.
“Hell, lass, I’m not one much for avoiding fights but I’d recommend keeping your hands off that spooky motherfucker. He’s about the worst possible person you could piss off in this place, with the exception of the Alpha.” His dark eyes peered worriedly down at her. “You all right?”
Clove sighed. A throbbing ache was pressing in on her temples. “We’re going to need something stronger than beer.”
* * *
The night was clear and cool without a cloud in sight. Stars sparkled across the deep blackish blue of the night sky like diamonds raining down from above. Empty bottles littered the ground around the hay bale the two had turned into their sitting area for the evening. A simmering buzz had settled across Clove’s thoughts and she was finally beginning to relax.
