6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

-Reese-

I felt on edge throughout the day. Even the morning spent in bed with Rosa didn’t bring me much solace. I struggled to reach climax, my thoughts consumed by those two wolves together.

Why did it bother me? They were a couple, so why did it pose a problem for me? I had a mate, someone I deeply desired, yet I couldn’t shake off the discomfort I felt witnessing the camaraderie between them. Especially the way the male wolf seemed to devour Naomi with his eyes when she wasn’t looking. He wanted her, I was certain, if he hadn’t already had her.

Tapping my finger against the armrest of my chair, I found myself unable to focus on the work before me. My mind kept conjuring up images of Naomi in front of me.

“Reese?” my dad’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“What?” I snapped out of my trance.

“The tapping is very distracting,” he scolded, gesturing to my finger.

I sighed, halting the motion. “Sorry.”

“What’s going on with you? I know there’s a lot to catch up on, but you’re meant to be the Alpha, and you need to take that seriously now,” he reminded me.

I nodded, glancing at my Beta, Zack, beside my father. He looked a little concerned as well, probably wondering if I was ready to take off again. I knew the time apart hadn’t strengthened our friendship, but I hoped now that I was back, it might change. I gave him a small smile before returning to the work in front of me. However, I could only focus for 10 minutes before the suffocating feeling returned.

“I need a moment,” I sighed, abruptly standing up, surprising them both.

“Reese!” my dad called after me, but I didn’t listen.

I couldn’t stay in that room any longer, feeling as if I could barely breathe. I needed some time to gather myself before I lost my mind. Descending the stairs, the sweet scent of Naomi drew me in again.

She’s close , my wolf commented.

Yes, Naomi had to be close if her scent was so strong. However, the front door was right ahead, and the voice of reason told me to go outside. But it wasn’t the outdoors that beckoned me. Instead, something triggered my Alpha instincts, an urge to hunt. But the only person I should want to hunt should be my mate. Yet I couldn’t ignore the call. I began following the scent, hearing voices as I approached.

Once again, I found myself in the living room. My mother, my mate, and a few other females were gathered around the coffee table with snacks and magazines, while lower-ranking wolves attended to their needs.

Among them was Naomi, placing decorated tiny cakes down. When she stood up, our eyes met, and she blushed deeply before looking away. Despite the room being filled with people, all I could see and smell was her. A growl threatened to escape my throat, but before it could, my mother noticed me.

“Reese?” she called, and I turned to face her.

“Mom,” I greeted.

“What are you doing here?” she inquired, drawing everyone’s attention to me.

“Just needed a break.”

As the lower-ranking wolves began to leave the room after completing their tasks, my gaze remained fixed on Naomi as she followed the stream, her sweet scent lingering in the air around me. This couldn’t continue. I needed to put a stop to it.

“Won’t you join us?” Rosa asked me. “We’re preparing for our ceremony.”

“Sounds wonderful,” I murmured absentmindedly, not really paying attention to her, but keeping my eyes on Naomi.

“Reese?” my mom called, pulling my attention away.

“What?”

The women chuckled around me.

“Your mate asked you something,” my mom explained, gesturing toward Rosa, who smiled at me.

“Sorry, what was that?” I asked.

“Would you like to join us?” Rosa offered, but I shook my head.

“Thank you, but I’m not finished with my work. I’ll come find you later, and we can plan together,” I replied.

She appeared content with my suggestion, but my intention wasn’t to return to work. I had a different agenda in mind. Spinning on my heel, I pursued Naomi. She hadn’t returned to the kitchen but was assisting other wolves with cleaning in a room further down.

Observing her climb onto a table to reach a high shelf, I approached, prepared to have a conversation about the distracting scent she was enveloped in. As I drew nearer, I noticed the black skirt she wore. Though not particularly short, it reached below mid-thigh.

However, standing on the table offered an unobstructed view underneath. Aware that other men were present in the room, assisting with cleaning, I positioned myself behind her, shielding her as she tidied the shelf.

Initially oblivious to my presence, she eventually turned her head, encountering me, emitting a surprised squeal that startled the room’s occupants. Previously engrossed in their tasks, they only seemed to notice me now.

“Can we assist you, Alpha?” one of them inquired.

I shook my head. “No, but this room is sufficiently clean. You may leave,” I instructed.

They appeared puzzled by my directive but complied, dispersing. However, as Naomi prepared to descend from the table, I stepped forward, positioning myself directly in front of her. Gazing up at me with apprehension, she failed to comprehend my proximity, but I required an explanation. Placing my hands on either side of her, I surprised her with the gesture.

“All right, little wolf, I want the truth,” I insisted.

“The truth?” she echoed, bewildered.

“What are you doing to emanate that scent?”

“Scent?” she whispered, perplexed.

“I’m not in the mood for games!” I snapped, reaching out to grasp her hair, pulling her head back to ensure her green eyes met mine.

She emitted a soft hiss, feeling the tight grip of my hand, but I couldn’t afford to be gentle. She was playing with my mind, and I couldn’t allow it to persist. She needed to realize I was promised to someone else, someone who had consumed my thoughts entirely for months. Yet, one encounter with Naomi, and suddenly, my focus shifted elsewhere.

“Tell me what you’re doing to yourself to smell so enticing!” I growled.

“I-I’m not doing anything,” she stammered.

“Don’t lie to me! Are you entering your heat?”

“I-I’m on blockers,” she assured me, calming my nerves. Knowing she was on blockers reassured me that her heat wouldn’t suddenly appear to attract someone. Yet, why did the thought of someone else entering her heat with her bother me? Something felt out of place here.

“Then what is it?” I demanded.

“What is what?” she asked, fear evident in her voice.

“You smell like the most irresistible thing I’ve ever encountered. It makes me want to...” I trailed off, my thoughts racing. What did it make me want to do? To mate with her right on this table. The skirt she wore wouldn’t present a hindrance, and her legs were already slightly parted. I could easily reach beneath and...

What was I doing? I had a mate. I wasn’t supposed to desire to claim a random female wolf from the pack right here. But a voice inside reminded me, she wasn’t just any female wolf. While my interactions with Naomi had been limited, memories of our encounters flooded my mind, strangely quelling my anger.

“Alpha, please, your grip is hurting me,” she whispered, her hands resting on my wrist, attempting to pry me off, yet not daring to do so.

“Then tell me the truth.”

“B-But I don’t know what truth you’re referring to,” she stammered.

“Yes, you do. You smell too good. It’s all I can focus on!” I hissed, moving closer, only to realize my mistake. Her scent grew more intoxicating, enveloping me and clouding my senses. I could lose myself in that scent and die content, I realized. My possessiveness surged, and before I could stop myself, I buried my nose in her neck, brushing aside her shirt to reach the spot that emitted the most potent aroma—her marking spot.

She whimpered at my touch, her scent mixing with arousal, driving me even more crazy for her. She wanted me, and a deep rumble escaped me as I realized it. Grasping her naked thigh, I pulled her closer, widening her legs as I continued to scent her. Pressing us together, I sought to eliminate any space between us, consumed by her sweetness.

More, more , my wolf murmured in my mind, as if under a trance.

Naomi was a dangerous temptation, but in that moment, I had forgotten why her scent had unsettled me. It was intoxicating, and I desired it entirely for myself.

“A-Alpha, please stop,” she pleaded softly, as I leaned over her, leaving no room for escape, pressing her into the table beneath her.

I couldn’t restrain myself. Nothing in the world could tear me away, for it felt more right than words could convey.