But she still doesn’t ask it.
Her gaze hardens, and her next statement lands harsher than any blow. “Because I don’t want you, Seth.”
Shock slams through me, colder than winter, heavier than any chain. Not once did I consider that possibility. I’ve spent months resenting the mate bond, pushing her away, convincing myself she isn’t worthy of me. But never—not once—did I imagine she might feel the same way about me.
I stare at her, my astonishment twisting intosomething rawer, darker. My wolf rages in disbelief, clawing against my ribs. She’s lying. She can’t not want us.
But her eyes don’t waver. They burn with conviction. With finality. And for the first time in my life, I feel the jagged edge of rejection.
Her words sliced into me like a blade to the heart, but my pride—my stupid, wounded pride—refuses to let me crumble. Instead, it transforms the pain into something ugly. Something vicious.
“You don’t want me?” I laugh, the sound bitter and cutting. “Is that why you’ve been watching me from across every room for months? Following me with those desperate, longing looks?”
She flinches, but I’m too far gone to stop.
“You think I don’t notice?” I step closer, my voice dropping to a cruel whisper. “How you light up whenever I’m near? How your scent changes, gets sweeter, needier? Your body betrays you every time, Selene. Even now.”
Her cheeks flush deeper, but whether from shame or anger, I can’t tell. “You’re wrong,” she breathes.
“Am I?” I circle her slowly, like a predator stalking wounded prey. “Then, why are you trembling? Why is your pulse racing? I can hear it, you know. That frantic heartbeat tells me exactly how much you want what you claim to reject.”
She backs up against the tree, chin lifted in defiance even as her eyes glisten. “You’re a bastard.”
“Maybe.” The word is like ash in my mouth. “But at least I’m honest about what I am. You? You’re a liar. Standing there pretending you don’t want me when every fiber of your being screams otherwise.”
Her hands form fists at her sides. “Even if that were true—which it’s not—it doesn’t matter. I meant what I said. I don’t want you as my mate.”
My wolf snarls in response. Without thinking, I close the distance between us, caging her against the oak with my arms on either side of her head.
“You wanna know what I think?” My voice is deadly quiet now. “Ithink you’re lying to yourself. Pretending you don’t want me because it’s easier than admitting the truth.”
Her breath hitches, and I lean closer until our faces are mere inches apart.
“I think,” I continue, my lips nearly brushing her ear now, “that you’re running to pathetic little boys like Darren because that’s all you can get. Weak men for a weak woman. At least you know your place.”
“Get away from me.” She shoves me in the chest, but I don’t budge.
“No.” I press even closer to her. “You started this. You wanted to hurt me with your little performance out here? Congratulations. It worked. But if you think I’m going to let you walk away after tearing into me like that, you’re mistaken.”
Her eyes flash dangerously. “I don’t owe you anything, Seth. Not explanations, not consideration, and certainly not my body just because fate decided to play some cosmic joke on us both.”
“Cosmic joke?” The words ignite something feral in me. “Is that what you think this is?”
Before she can answer, before I can stop myself, I crash my mouth onto hers.
She gasps against my lips, her hands flying back up to my chest to push me away, but I don’t relent. I pour everything into the kiss—months of want, of denial, of fury and frustration. My mouth moves against hers with bruising intensity, demanding a response she is determined not to give.
For a heartbeat, she’s rigid beneath me. Then, she breaks.
Her fingers curl into my shirt instead of pushing me away. Her lips part on a soft whimper, and when I deepen the kiss, she meets me with equal desperation. The taste of wine lingers on her tongue, sweet and intoxicating, but underneath it is something purely her. Something that makes my wolf roar with satisfaction.
One hand slides into her auburn hair while the other grips her hip, pulling her against me. She arches into the contact, a breathy moan escaping her that sends fire racing through my veins.
This is what I’ve been fighting. This overwhelming need, this perfect fit, the way her body seems made for mine.The mate bond sings between us, hot and demanding, urging me to claim her completely.
Her hands slip under my shirt, nails dragging across my skin, and I groan into her mouth. She tastes like everything I’ve denied myself, everything I’ve convinced myself I don’t need.
But even as my body responds to hers, even as she melts against me like she was born to be there, reality comes crashing back.
