11. Luke

Istifle my groan as another wave of her arousal hits me, the entire house smells of her sweet honey. She hasn't sought either of us out today and that confuses me. We waited close by, not even daring to leave the house. I know the pack wants to meet her, but they understand what a test it would be for all of us at this point. Even having Charlotte in the house put us on edge. There's no fucking way that she'd ever be interested in our sweet little mate, but still. I don't want anyone around her.

We've only had a single interaction with Emma today. Maybe it's because she's human… I'm not sure. She almost left the house, she didn't even come to see us first, like she was purposely avoiding us.

She's obviously upset with us for keeping her inside, but she doesn't understand. Owen is the one who spoke up when she objected, and she hasn't said a word to him since. I'm hoping that means she'll want me first. I've been waiting all day. We both have. I didn't get a damn thing done. We're behind on work since we took an extra two days getting back here to round up our mate. We also have to alert the Authority to the fact that we found our mate and she's a human. I'm not looking forward to explaining that, not that I could at this moment anyway. I can't concentrate for shit. We're both eager for her. Both pining over her and waiting for her to need us.

The light of day has faded and it's time to confront our little mate. We've stayed in the office for the most part of the day. She has had plenty of time to get adjusted, and Charlotte helped her as we asked her to. Emma's mostly just been scribbling in that damn notebook of hers all day. Each time I came to check on her, she didn't even bother looking up from that book. I've got to take a peek as soon as I can. I want to know everything about her. My mate.

Just as I leave the office to tend to her, Owen walks up on my left and starts to head to the bedroom. Irritation claws at me. He had her last and I need to feel her under me and for her to feel our bond. The way things ended our first time was not at all what I wanted.

I'd planned on holding her and soothing her. My fists clench as a memory of her pushing away from me hits me. I'd planned on giving her exactly what Owen gave her. The memory of her crying out his name hits me harder than I thought it would. I know he's her mate as well, but it felt like nothing but betrayal. I may have had her first, but he had a completely different piece that matters just as much. And I've yet to have that with her.

I know she's less than happy with me because of it. But I'll give her what she needs and make up for being jealous and crass. She'll learn how I am. I've never been good with my words or emotions. As anxiousness and fear that she'll deny me in favor of my brother creep up, I promise myself I'll be more careful with her. Besides, Owen didn't love her like I did. My brows furrow looking at my brother. I don't understand why he's so forceful with her. I mean, fuck, he denied her. She wanted to come and he made her wait. I'd never do that. You'll take what I give you. His words make my wolf snarl. I'd be more pissed if she didn't seem to like it as much as she does.

I've never felt such insecurity. Truth be told, I wish we didn't have to share her. She will compare us, and Owen's always been the good one.

I plan on giving her the fucking world, to spoil her. Anything she wants, she gets. Even if Owen objects. It pisses me off that he overrules me. Like with that fucking tee shirt. We need to sit down and have a conversation about that. But right now, we've got to figure out who's going in there first. Her heat is driving us mad.

"You had her last." My hand comes down hard on his shoulder, preventing him from leaving the office. A low growl grows in his chest as he turns around. This is really going to get ugly as the claiming moon approaches if we don't figure out how to handle this. I'm ready to throw down again, but I don't want to. Not when our pack will know. Not when they haven't met our mate yet, and how we behave will reflect on her. He's my brother, my other half for so long. And she seems to enjoy him too. An image of her screaming his name as she came on his dick flashes before my eyes. Instead of the anger I expect, a hurt settles deep in my chest. I clear my throat. "It's only fair."

He looks me dead in the eyes as his fists clench. "Together."

"Not fucking happening." No fucking way. I may have to share her, but after last time, I don't want to watch. I don't want to see anyone else giving her pleasure. I don't want to hear her saying his name. I want her to love me. Me. I want her to feel me and our bond and our connection. She felt it with him. I know she did. And he interrupted us before she could feel it with me.

"You've bonded…we have not," I tell him bluntly, unable to contain a tinge of concern in my tone. He curses under his breath before conceding.

"You take her ass and I'll beat the shit out of you."

I shake off every apprehension as soon as I'm out of that office and head straight toward that sweet scent. My dick is so hard I leak precum before I even open the door. I can't wait to have her lick it off and clean me up before I get dirty again. The thought makes my dick jump. I stroke it once and try to gather my composure.

If I didn't keep myself in check, I'd hurt her. I know I would. It's the only reason I had to keep an eye on Owen as he took her. He doesn't care that she's human and that's going to get her hurt. She can't handle us. I'm just waiting for that horrific moment when one of us takes it too far. The very thought makes my heartbeat slow and my hands go numb. I shake them out and get my shit together. Ready to please my mate.

As soon as I see her I know something's wrong. She's lying on the bed but gripping the sheets. The covers have been kicked all the way to the bottom of the bed. Her eyes are closed tight and she's panting like she's just had a tiring run through the woods. Her legs are closed, knees bent, and she rocks them back and forth. I silently close the door behind me and stalk over to her. She's fighting her heat? A strangled moan is barely audible. I want to reach out and touch her, but I'm afraid I'll startle her too much. She's not even close to being coherent.

I lick my lips before quietly asking, "You all right, sugar?" Her eyes pop open and she grips the sheets tighter, digging her nails into the bed.

"I'm fine." Her nostrils flare as she answers at me through clenched teeth.

"You don't look fine. You look like you may need me? You want—" I gently place my hand on her stomach, ready to rub that little nub of hers and get her off to give her some relief. Although she needs me inside her before her heat will calm, her hand flies down, smacking me away as she jackknifes off the bed.

"Fuck you! I won't beg you for anything!" The look she's giving me would make a lesser wolf cower. Who said anything about begging? At first I'm confused and then I remember that shit I said when we were back in the woods. Fucking hell.

After running a hand down my face, I stare back at her and watch her anger slip as her heat takes possession of her again. She falls against the mattress with her fists closed tightly and lays on her side in the fetal position. She's got to be in pain. The sight of her makes my wolf whine in agony.

"I don't want you to beg me sugar, just let?—"

She cuts me off. "Owen! I want Owen!" The breath leaves my lungs and my legs nearly give out. My heart stills and my wolf cowers in shame. My mate denied me. A numbness takes over my body as an emptiness fills my chest. She's in need. But she won't let me please her. Have I hurt her that bad? I open my mouth, but no words come out. Instead I swallow and give myself a moment. Clenching and unclenching my fists. I've never felt so powerless in my life. She moans, but not in pleasure, she's in pain.

I feel tears prick and that's not going to fucking happen. I'm an Alpha. I'm not going to cry. I'm sure as fuck not going to let her see how weak I am. She will never love me then if she sees how vulnerable I am to her emotions toward me. Instead I nod, not that she sees, and turn on my heels to leave. Forcing myself to leave her.

Pain tears through me when I open the door.

Owen's standing right fucking there. I know he heard everything. He looks torn up. He looks exactly how I feel. It pisses me off; she didn't do that shit to him. She fucking asked for him. He has no right to look at me like that.

I snarl as I pass him, avoiding this shit and the possibility that he would see me like this. I hear him open the door as I slam the bathroom door open. Fuck! The damn thing comes off its hinges and blocks my way to the sink. I kick it, splintering the wood. I grab a piece and throw it against the wall, growling as it cracks the drywall and smashes against the tiled floor. Adrenaline courses through my veins, fueling my anger.

Anger I can deal with. Anger is an emotion I can handle. But even as I cling to the anger, to the rage that Owen would pity me and our mate would choose him over me, I feel the hopelessness overwhelming me. My wolf lies helpless, not bothering to contribute anything. I grip the edge of the ceramic sink to keep myself balanced. After a moment to get my shit together, I turn on the faucet and splash my face with water. I look into the mirror and see an asshole staring back. I hurt her. I didn't realize how much my words affected her. I can make it up to her. I'll just apologize. Fuck, I really am fucking sorry. I can be such a stupid prick. But all I need to do is apologize. That's it. I wipe my face, assuring myself that will be enough. I just need her to know how much I care for her and apologize for being an ass. It would have been better had I said nothing. I knew better. I'll do better.

My breath comes back slowly and my blood cools from the tormented simmer. I crack my neck and my shoulders and look around at the mess I made. Fuck, I'll clean it up later. I'm not waiting for Owen to leave her. He probably won't move from her side any way. I'll just wait until there's a moment for me to enter and then I'll go in and apologize.

I shake out my shoulders and head toward the bedroom. I have to close my eyes and breathe deep as I hear her moan. It fucking shreds me. She whimpers my brother's name. I take a hesitant step forward. Wondering if I can really do this. Can I listen to someone else giving my mate pleasure even if he is her mate as well? I hear the bed banging rhythmically against the wall. It's not loud. So he's not being too rough with her. I run my hands down my face and breathe out heavily. Fuck, just the thought of him on top of her, rutting into her. My hands tremble so I fist them to make the shaking stop.

I just need to listen and wait. I shake my head and turn around. I'll come back in an hour. No! Fuck, I need to man the fuck up and listen so I know when I can go to her. I fucking hurt her, I can deal with this shit. It's my punishment. I walk back to the door and stop with my hand on the doorknob. My fingers close tightly around it, refusing to turn the knob.

I know he's her mate. I should be grateful that it's my brother and not some other asshole. But fuck, I can't stand the thought of him pleasuring her.

"Harder," she screams as though she's in pain. The sound of him pounding into her tempts my beast to fight him. I grit my teeth to keep myself from barging in and ripping his fucking throat out. I roll my shoulders and open the door.

I slowly walk into the room and watch as my brother's body hovers over Emma. Her fingernails pierce into his back. Small red scratches line his back. Her heels dig into his ass. I close my eyes, but that only makes it worse. Her moans and the sound of him rocking his body into her, the bed hitting the wall. I nearly turn away, but I make myself take another step toward her. Her breathing is picking up; his breathing is ragged. As soon as she's sated I'll go to her. He suggested we take her together. Maybe with him there and me apologizing. Maybe then she'll want me too.

My jaw ticks as he nips at her neck and pushes himself deep inside her heat, making her cry out as her orgasm hits her. I know he's coming inside her. He may sire her first pup. All because I was a fucking ass and couldn't keep my mouth shut. My hands run down my face and I clench my jaw. Waiting for their embrace to end. He's kissing her jaw as she hums in satisfaction. I take a step toward them, willing my body to approach and take my mate any way I can.

"Owen. Owen." She mewls under him as aftershocks rock through her body. "I love you, Owen." Those words on her lips make me question everything. She loves him. She loves my brother. I turn quickly and leave, hoping neither of them saw me.

She doesn't want me.

She doesn't love me.

Only my brother.