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I bite the corner of my lip as he draws closer ... A loud crack splits through the room, breaking the haze of lust that had swept over the dining room. My head whips to the source of the sound, the entry door splayed open where a masculine hand catches it before it crashes back from the reverberating force.
His dominating force echoes throughout the room, freezing the couples around us. He stalks for Everett, and I almost leap from my seat to jump between the two, except no one else seems on guard with the male’s appearance. His frame is smaller than Everett’s, but he’s still at least six feet tall. I focus on the movement of his hand swiping his black hair out of his eyes. No sound echoes through the room as he strides to Everett, his footsteps silent but strong. That is until he nears closer, his confident steps slowing before pulling him to a stop.
The stranger’s nostrils flare and he takes a few hesitant steps closer until he stands before me. My brows furrow and I push up from Monte’s hold against my hips, unsure if there may be some sort of issue with the newcomer as the mate bond seems to intensify with each step he takes.Does this man pose some sort of threat? Is that why the bond pulses brighter with each moment?And that’s when it hits me, the connection I’m sensing isn’t the one between me and Everett. That one is still there reaching from my chest to his. The reason the bond seemed to amplify is because there’s a second one, strong and secure, tying me and the stranger together and binding my soul to his. The bond the mirror image to the one I share with Everett.
Another mate … this is not fucking good.
Chapter Seven
Skylar
Thebondpulsesbetweenus as his gaze shifts to me, his eyes widening as he spots the source of the burgeoning connection. My chest burns with the new connection, a scorching ray flashing between us and searing our bond into my soul. My alpha powers slip out as though attempting to coyly feel him out, and his essence twines around mine, meeting in a melodic symphony, and instantly warming my body. The sound much like the meeting of my powers with Everett’s but different still, as though the notes shifted to a light, tantalizing tone. His stride speeds up as though he’s about to whip right past Everett to pull me into his arms. The smile splitting across his lips almost cracks my heart in two, his excitement at finding his mate overshadowing his ability to read my facial expressions.
No—no, this can’t be happening, not again, not another mate. I’ve already had to endure the pain of rejecting one mate today, and now another?
The dark-haired man reaches Everett, and the golden-haired Alpha reaches a hand out to stop him, recognition on his face and clearly interpreting precisely what has happened between us. The newcomer glances down at him, his brows furrowed as his lips part, and that’s when Monte climbs out from under the table, his appearance and slick covered face making it clear what had just occurred between the two of us.
Anger twists the stranger’s face as he starts forward, Everett’s hand clamped around his arm, the only thing stopping him from advancing on Monte.
“My office now,” Everett growls, sweeping his gaze to encompass myself and Monte before resting on the dark-haired man.
“What’s going on?” Monte asks, reaching up to place a kiss on my lips. His tongue caresses mine, letting me taste myself on him and I briefly can’t help but groan against his mouth, reminded of what his tongue was doing just moments before.
A snarl leaves the dark-haired man’s lips, and I pull away from Monte. But before he can say anything, Everett pushes him past us, dragging him back through the dining room and down the hall to his office.
“I’ll explain,” I promise Monte, clasping his hand in mine and allowing him to help me up, unsure how steady my legs will be after that orgasm. Warmth still floods my body in the aftermath of my climax, despite the shock afterward.
I glance towards the exit as we make our way to the hall they’d disappeared down, ignoring the confused stares that focus on me. My mind begs me to turn the other way and escape through the main door. I don’t want this conversation, and have another chance for my head to be turned.
I need to stay strong—having a mate allows a weakness, a thread that can be pulled and removed and leave you half the person you were before. It would be easier for both of us to reject this bond and not allow that chance to be decimated. He’ll eventually thank me, they both will, right? I’m doing the right thing ...?
I let Monte’s warm palm be my reassurance, knowing I have to do this for myself, for my pack.
Monte motions to our three pack members, signaling them to wait at the end of the hall. This will not be a good conversation for them to overhear. Everett and the newcomer’s hushed whispers can barely be heard as we near his office where thick tension permeates the air. I draw in a deep breath to steel myself before entering and pull my hand from Monte’s, I don’t want to bring him into this because this has nothing to do with him at the end of the day. Our engagement may be fake, but my fear is real.
I blink against the lights in the office, my vision slowly adjusting from the dimmed glow in the dining room and hallways. Both men turn from their positions on the far side of the desk, and Everett’s face twists in anger as his words cut off. He narrows his gaze on Monte and crosses his arms over his chest, and I can’t help but notice the way his biceps bulge with the movement. His brow lowers into a glower, making him look every inch the intimidating alpha, and I have to admit I’m more than a little turned on by it.
“Your beta can stay outside, the three of us need to have a conversation,” Everett says, his glare still pinned on Monte, yet his words are directed towards me.
“Well, your beta is here,” I argue, mirroring his stance, unwilling to budge an inch. A sense of relief washes over me at the easy banter, glad to have a few minutes of reprieve before having to focus on the new bond that’s snapped into existence. My hand itches to rub at my chest, feeling the thick cords connecting to both of the men before me.
“Oh, I’m no beta,” the dark-haired stranger purrs, prowling towards me. Despite my best effort to remain focused on Everett, I can’t help but shift my gaze, drawn in by the lethal air around this man. His steps are sure, stealthy, yet deadly. I tilt my head up, not wanting to take a step back as he invades my space. Without the scent of lust thick in the dining room air, his intoxicating smell of cedar and cloves becomes clear, and it calls to my wolf.
I take an involuntary step forward, as though his scent is a magnetic force drawing me into him. The movement jolts my head from the fog of the mate bond, registering what I was about to do.
“What?”
His words only now pierce through my muddled thoughts ...He isn’t a beta?I look between Everett and the stranger with stormy grey eyes, a mix of light and dark like lightning crashing through storm clouds. I hadn’t even realized it had been his own alpha powers meeting mine, too ensconced with the power of the new connection, especially alongside Everett.
“It’s a long story, one that doesn’t concern your beta,” Everett cuts in, his words a snarl directed towards Monte.
“I don’t think so. I’m in your territory, so I won’t allow myself to be outnumbered,” I say calmly, standing between the two, not wanting Monte to overstep and start a fight with the Alpha.
“You don’t trust me?” Everett asks, his eyes darkening as he steps forward, his incredulous glare pinning me in my spot.
“Why should I?” I grind out, stepping closer too.How dare he try to intimidate me. I’m every bit the alpha he is, and I’m willing to make that clear if I need to.Our bodies are mere inches apart, and my lip curls into a sneer. His body heat radiates off of him, shifting the heat of anger into one of desire. The lingering scent of him is in my nostrils, beckoning me closer, while the connection pulses between us, begging me to claim him, to make him mine.
“Because he’s your mate, as am I. Dammit, Everett, what the hell has been going on?” the grey-eyed man demands, turning a reproachful look on Everett.
