7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

-Naomi-

R eese’s behavior was incredibly perplexing. Not only had he accused me of being immersed in his mate’s scent, but now he was insinuating that I was attempting to seduce him? I couldn’t quite comprehend his accusations. He seemed unwilling to articulate his thoughts fully, yet he clearly believed I was scheming against him.

His anger manifested in every gesture, yet there was a noticeable shift from fury to intense arousal as he buried his face in my neck. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, igniting a fire within me, but I knew it was inappropriate. He shouldn’t be inhaling my scent or pressing himself between my legs while we were exposed on the table in the open room. The door stood wide open, leaving us vulnerable to anyone’s gaze, and it was the only thing preventing me from losing control completely, despite my desire to have him close.

My body seemed to react on its own accord, my hips instinctively moving against him, eliciting a pleased response from him. Even my wolf, who had been consumed by pain and agony for days, now purred with a different emotion. But none of this made sense. Reese was the Alpha with a mate. Why were we entangled in this compromising situation?

I attempted to push him away, but he appeared oblivious, lost in the moment. The situation was incredibly bewildering, and despite knowing it was wrong, the longer I remained beneath him, the more reluctant I became to break away.

Struggling against his tight grip, I managed to turn my head slightly and buried my nose in his neck. His scent was fresh, as if he had just showered, and I couldn’t help but moan with pleasure. My reaction seemed to drive him wild, prompting his free hand to roam down my body, sending shivers down my spine.

As his hand slipped between us, delving between my legs, I realized my skirt had been pushed up, leaving me exposed. There was no barrier as he explored me, his fingers grazing over my panties, undoubtedly feeling how soaked they were. My body responded intensely to his touch, as if it were calling out for him.

He seemed pleased by my reaction, pressing harder and finding my swollen clit beneath the fabric, eliciting a shocked gasp from me. Despite knowing I shouldn’t, I couldn’t resist rocking against his hand, unleashing a deep growl from him that mirrored his own desires.

But this was all wrong. He was promised to someone else. He shouldn’t be touching me. I pushed against his chest, attempting to create some distance between us.

“A-Alpha, this isn’t like you. You have a mate,” I reminded him, feeling the weight of my words settle between us, like a sudden downpour.

He withdrew abruptly, his grip tightening momentarily, eliciting a whimper from me. But as he peered down at our entanglement, it wasn’t disgust that flickered in his eyes. Instead, there was a glint of yellow in them, a hint that his primal instincts were at play. I swallowed hard, feeling exposed beneath him, especially with his hand lingering between my legs, now still. I reached for the hem of my skirt, attempting to restore some semblance of modesty, but with my thighs parted, it was futile.

“Can’t you see it?” he demanded, his voice heavy with accusation as I continued to struggle beneath him.

“See what?” I whispered.

“What you’re doing.”

“I... I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” he snapped.

“But I genuinely don’t understand. I don’t know what’s happening,” I confessed, but he seemed skeptical. He continued to examine me as if I held all the answers, but the truth was, I was just as bewildered as he was. “I swear.”

“Then why do you smell so intoxicating?” he growled, pulling us closer as his finger traced the outline of my underwear, igniting tantalizing sensations. “It’s even stronger now.”

“T-That’s because you’re touching me!” I snapped.

“Yes, but you’re enjoying it.”

“A-Am I not supposed to? You’re touching a sensitive area.”

“If you didn’t desire me, you wouldn’t smell so enticing,” he accused.

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t deny my attraction to him. I had always felt drawn to him, but it was more than physical.

“I-I…”

“So, tell me what’s happening,” he demanded. “Is it some kind of potion?”

“Potion?”

“From a witch,” he clarified.

“A witch? We’re warned to stay away from them.”

“Just because you’re warned doesn’t mean you didn’t seek one out. Are you deliberately messing with my mind? Trying to sabotage my bond?” I growled.

“No, I swear!”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then why are you still touching me?” I retorted, but as soon as the words left my lips, he pulled away, abruptly cutting off the building climax. It left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Reese finally withdrew his hand, allowing me to hastily adjust my skirt to cover myself.

“You’re up to something, Naomi. I can feel it, because I shouldn’t be reacting like this,” he snarled.

“But I’m not doing anything!”

“You are, and I’m going to find out what it is,” he declared.

“Find out?” I echoed.

“Exactly. And if you don’t want the consequences to be severe, I suggest you confess,” he warned.

I wanted to protest, to defend myself, but what could I possibly say? I wasn’t doing anything, yet he refused to believe me. With a rough shove, he pushed me away, leaving me feeling dizzy and hurt. I watched him storm off, aching in my chest and overwhelmed by a sense of betrayal. It wasn’t fair, and I struggled to hold back tears as they welled up in my eyes, silently streaming down my cheeks.

-Reese-

I returned to Rosa’s side, consumed by a potent mix of shame and confusion. How could I do this to her? How could I be drawn to someone else when she was my true mate? True mates were supposed to only desire each other, everyone else becoming insignificant, yet I couldn’t shake the pull toward Naomi.

Rosa glanced up as I entered the living room, catching the intensity in my gaze. With a knowing smile, she found a reason to step away from her work. We slipped out together, and I wasted no time in pressing her against the wall for a passionate kiss. She chuckled.

“Right now?” she teased.

“Yes, right now,” I affirmed.

“But I’m in the middle of something with the others.”

“We’ll be quick,” I promised, guiding her to a private room away from the main area. Once inside, I lifted her onto a small couch. As I leaned in to continue, the overpowering desire that had consumed me earlier seemed to fade in Rosa’s presence. Nonetheless, I persisted, kissing her and beginning to undress her. However, she hesitated, sniffing the air around me.

“Why do you smell like someone else?” she asked.

I should have anticipated that Naomi’s scent would linger and that Rosa would notice. But how could I explain it when I didn’t understand it myself?

“Reese?” she prompted.

I sighed, resting my head against her chest as she embraced me, sensing my inner turmoil.

“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” I confessed.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“Reese, you’re worrying me,” she admitted.

“I know. I’m worried too.”

“Then what’s going on with you? You can talk to me,” she reassured.

I wanted to, but the words eluded me. I shook my head against her.

“Reese, come on, we’re mates,” she reminded me.

“But I feel... strange.”

“You’re not making any sense,” she observed.

“Because I don’t understand it,” I groaned.

“Understand what?”

“I... I want... someone else.”

“What did you just say?”

“I want someone else,” I repeated, knowing how painful my words must be for her to hear.