Chapter Five

Cathy

Being dragged into this ceremony by my father, I had no idea what I would find at the other end of the aisle. You can imagine my surprise at finding the sexy bachelor from last night, the same man that played the starring role in my erotic dreams.

The elder drones on and on about how important mates are and at one point I swear I want to scream. I’ve never been the most patient woman, but this is driving me insane.

Once we have verbally sworn to remain true to one another, I lift my veil to seal the binding with a kiss. The shock on his face is almost laughable but there isn’t any time for that now. Everyone is watching us.

“Kiss me, you idiot,” I hiss, circling my arms around his neck and drawing him down to fuse my lips with his.

Atlas, because I now know his name, doesn’t require any more encouragement from me. His hands grab my hips, the same as last night. But now he isn’t holding me at arm’s length. No. He drags me against his body, molding me against his hard chest as his lips devour mine, his tongue plunging, forcing its way inside my mouth and seeking out every corner. His erection presses against my stomach sending arousal thrumming through my entire body, and I know my panties are ruined.

A mewl escapes me and the gathered crowd erupts in raucous clapping and hollering.

Pulling away from me but keeping me against his side, Atlas stares at those gathered around us. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this moment with us. Enjoy the festivities.”

He doesn’t lead me down the aisle but bends down before throwing me over his shoulder and striding away from the gathering. His hand is on my ass, keeping my dress from flipping up and exposing my now soaked underwear to everyone gathered here. Loud whistles follow us and even some howls as the party starts without us. My hands are on his perfectly sculpted ass as he picks up the pace. It only takes a minute or two before we are inside a house, and he has me crowded against the entryway wall.

“What the fuck?” he demands angrily, glaring down at me.

“What?” I ask trying to take in the house around me even as his bulk cuts off most of the view.

“What are the chances that my friends requested you to be our dancer last night and now I’m mated to you?”

“Probably a million to one, I guess.” The sassy bite back falls from my lips before I have a moment to consider what I am saying. His hand lifts and I flinch but all he does is push my hair behind my ear. His gaze is firmly locked on me, assessing every move I make.

“Don’t be a smart-ass.” His frown deepens.

An unexpected giggle escapes me. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” he snorts before stepping away from me. “You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you? And I thought you were an omega? How are you able to work at Dark Side of the Moon?”

He strides down the hall and I follow him, not exactly sure of the procedure right now. I would love for this man, my mate, to grab me and do whatever he wants with me. And I thought that was going to happen after our charged kiss from earlier, but clearly he wants to talk and work through some things first. Not exactly what I had in mind for my first night as a mated woman.

When he carried me through the pack compound, caressing my backside, I thought he felt what I felt. He certainly got aroused last night and when we kissed. But perhaps it was all a show for our fathers and the rest of the pack. Maybe he isn’t interested in me after all. Doubt creeps in and I must fight to keep my insecurities at bay.

Since I laid eyes on him I have wanted Atlas. But he might not feel the same. Something I never even took into consideration.

“Because you sure as hell don’t smell like one,” he adds. He stops in the kitchen beside a round wooden table and stares at me.

Lifting the hem of my dress, I reach up to my inner thigh where I stuck my patch this morning. There was no need to hide it strategically like I do at work. Grabbing the side, I remove the sticky black piece of plastic before showing him.

“Suppression patch,” I say by way of explanation.

He glares at my patch before scenting the air. His gaze collides with mine and a frisson of fear and awareness runs through me.

“Fuck,” he groans before rushing at me, pinning me against the wall again.

I stare up at him, waiting for an explanation. As an Alpha, he should be able to resist an omega, but he seems to be teetering on the edge right now. His eyes flash yellow, his animal barely contained beneath the surface. I watch as his wolf tries to push to the forefront, barely beneath the surface as Atlas fights to gain control.

“Mate.”

The word is a rumble locked in his chest as he runs his nose along the column of my neck. My head falls back against the wall as my sex floods with moisture. Now last night makes sense. The intoxicating smell, my arousal, how brazen I was acting. If I wasn’t wearing my patch, if the drug wasn’t running through my system, I would have known it instantly.

Mere moments ago I thought he didn’t want me but now I understand. Both of us are caught in this weird situation of our fathers’ making, and neither of us understand why we’re so drawn to each other.

Atlas rubs his covered cock against my stomach, and I moan like a wanton whore.

“Such pretty sounds,” he says licking my neck as he palms a breast.

“Atlas,” I start to talk but he cuts me off.

“No, pretty girl. Now is not the time for talking. I’m going to mount, knot, and mate you. Not because it’s what our fathers want, but because you are mine. Fate has given you to me. Before the sun rises tomorrow you will wear my mark for everyone to see.”

His hand works its way beneath my dress to cup my mound and all my words fall away. How am I supposed to argue with him? I know the Goddess has blessed me with a mate and even though our initial meeting may not have been ideal, I won’t give up the chance at a lifetime of happiness. Besides, we’ve already gone through the ceremony, we might as well finalize the mating. I may get the happily ever after I was dreaming of, after all.

“Please,” I beg. I want him and I won’t fight it.

“Good girl.”

He drops to his knees before me. Lifting my dress above my pelvic bone, he hums in pleasure. “Hold this,” he demands.

My hand grips the material as he slowly lowers my panties down my thighs. I don’t have a chance to prepare before my leg is thrown over his shoulder and his head is buried between my thighs. His tongue laps at my folds, gathering the slick that has been pouring from me since our first kiss. My pussy spasms, my orgasm already building with alarming speed. My other hand spears into his thick black hair, pulling harshly at the length.

I want to get him closer to me. I need more, harder, faster. Atlas doesn’t disappoint, grabbing my ass and lifting me clean off the floor, devouring me like I am the best dessert he has ever had. His need for me, the sounds he makes, drive me over the edge, right into a screaming orgasm.