Page 22 of Alpha's Arranged Mate

“And here was me hoping that your invitation to get in the shower might have been an invitation to something…more…”

His words caused Lottie to quiver all over again, and she turned her glare upon him, angry that he would presume such a thing. But when she looked at him, she found him smirking at her, and although his expression angered her further, it also sent heat pooling between her thighs all over again.

“Wipe that smirk off your face,” she snarled at him, her hands tightening into fists once more. She was sure that everyone was determined to piss her off. “We’re in deep shit at the moment.”

“Hey, relax, I was only joking,” Braxton said, and the hurt that she had seen upon his face in the woods returned. He lowered his gaze and dipped his head as if in defeat. “Forgive me. I guess I was just feeling a bit…energetic after the success in hell.”

Lottie gulped. She could certainly understand where he was coming from. She had been feeling…energetic ever since she had stumbled in on him wearing nothing but a towel.

“Then would you please just put some clothes on and tell me all about it?” she demanded, gesturing at the clothes that he now clutched in his big, strong hands.

Turning away again, she waited for him to do so, but when his footsteps began across the hardwood floor immediately, she knew he couldn't possibly have put them on.

"Lottie, look at me," he whispered in such a seductive tone that she very nearly did as he asked. Instead, she stood her ground, crossing her arms over her chest.

"No."

"Look at me."

His tone was pleading this time, and it took all Lottie had in her not to listen.

"I can't."

"You can."

"I can't," she repeated through gritted teeth.

It was then that she felt his hands grip hold of her upper arms from behind. The warmth of his torso barely brushing her back caused her to lean into him with a reluctant sigh.

"Why do you insist upon keeping me at arm's length?" he whispered as he slowly stroked her hair away from her neck, leaning down to press his lips to her throat just beneath her jawline. "I know you felt what I felt down in those dungeons all those months ago. I know it’s why you released me."

At that, Lottie snatched herself from his grip and whirled on him. "That is exactly why!"

Braxton took a step backwards, his gaze darkening. "We are to be married now. What difference does it make?"

Lottie's jaw clenched, her hands tightened into fists at her sides, and she glowered at him. "I have and always will be loyal to my pack."

Even to her the words sounded forced and stupid. Heat rose to her cheeks, and the embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her.

When he closed the distance between them once more, Lottie held her breath. She wasn't at all prepared for him to touch her again, but when he did, his hand raising to cup her cheek and brush away a tear that she hadn't even realized was falling from her face, she leaned into his hand. Her she-wolf clawed at her insides to simply give in to him. Surely it was better than the tumultuous pain coursing through her system.

"Lottie, this alliance should mean we never have to choose between each other and our packs again," Braxton pointed out, and his other hand came to cup her other cheek. He held her there with just enough pressure that she felt she couldn't move away. "And I would never ask you to."

Lottie bit the inside of her lip. "Then why does it feel as if everyone is asking me to?"

She closed her eyes, unable to bear the look on his face.

"Lottie, look at me."

This time she couldn't deny him. Fluttering her eyes open once more, she looked into the depths of his brown eyes and felt herself falling.

"Once we are married, you and I shall be one. That goes for our packs too," he stated, looking her in the eye without blinking. "At least, that is what this alliance will stand for. I shall make sure of it."

"But what if—"

"No, don't question it," Braxton protested, shaking his head and squeezing her face gently in his hands. "We both have to believe in this. Otherwise our packs will never align with it, either."

Lottie gulped past the lump in her throat. Why did he have to make so much sense? Why did he have to be so damn handsome? Why was her heart suddenly beating just for him?

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