Chapter 0036

Athena

He leans in close, his body caging me against the wall.

His gaze locks with mine before dropping to my lips.

He moves without warning, capturing my mouth with his.

This time, I don’t pull away.

Alexander draws back slightly. “Do you trust me?” His voice is soft, almost a whisper.

“Yes.” The word escapes me breathlessly.

“We can take this slow.” he murmurs, and I nod quickly, my heart hammering.

His lips find mine again, more insistent now.

His hands settle firmly on my hips, pulling me closer.

He breaks the kiss once more, and I give another small nod, craving more.

His mouth trails down my neck, leaving a path of fire along my skin.

Every kiss sends electric shocks straight through me.

He steps back, guiding me from the cubicle toward the shower area.

Pinning me against the wall, he tugs my sweatshirt up and off, taking my vest with it.

My breasts are exposed, and he doesn’t hesitate.

He takes one nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his teeth while his hand kneads the other.

I gasp, arching into his touch.

His lips continue their descent, stopping at the waistband of my joggers.

Slowly, he lowers them, planting open-mouthed kisses on every newly revealed inch of skin.

I moan, my fingers tangling in his hair.

“Earth to Athena! Are you okay?”

I’m jerked back to reality.

Alexander’s arm is still draped over my shoulders from behind, poised for a mock attack.

“I’m fine,” I mumble, hoping my daydream wasn’t audible.

His arm drops, allowing me to turn and face him.

“You sure? You spaced out for a minute.”

I wonder if he can scent my arousal. He says nothing, just like before. “Just… thinking,” I murmur.

His eyebrows lift slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Anything I can help with?”

“No… no, I don’t think so.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Then I think we’re done for today.”

“Okay.” My face feels like it’s on fire. “Are you coming back to the house?” I ask, avoiding his eyes.

“I have some pack business to handle first. Isabella should be at the house. She’ll keep you company.”

I hurry out of the gym, nearly sprinting across the grounds.

I just want to get inside before anyone sees my flushed face.

“Are you okay?” Isabella is leaning against a chair in the lounge, watching me.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I snap, then dash up the stairs.

What is wrong with me?

Hours pass before I see Alexander again.

“There you are!” he says, as if I’d been the one hiding. “What’s wrong?” He closes the bedroom door behind him.

“You could smell me, couldn’t you?” I’d been obsessing over it for hours.

“Are we talking about the gym, or when you fell asleep in the chair?”

He knew. He definitely knew.

“You didn’t do anything!”

“Is that a question or an accusation?” he murmurs.

I don’t answer. I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say.

“You’re wondering why I didn’t pounce on you just because I scented your arousal.” He smiles.

“That’s what male Wolves do, isn’t it?”

“Not in this pack. Haven’t we had this conversation already?”

“Your brother—”

“My brother doesn’t count.” He cuts me off sharply.

“I… I’ve never…”

“I know.”

“You know?” I try to hide my shock. It’s not something I advertise.

He nods. “You didn’t go to school. You never left the pack grounds. Dominic never let anyone touch you like that. It wasn’t hard to figure out, Athena.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“Why would I? It wasn’t my secret to tell. Unless you’re planning to sleep with every man in my pack?”

“No. I… I made a deal with you.”

“You did. But that deal didn’t include sexual encounters.”

“Is this a trick?”

“You tell me. You agreed to be my bride for a year. How do you think I’d react if someone else took your virginity?”

I just stare. Just when I start to see his kinder side, he reminds me of what he’s capable of in the most subtle way.

By nightfall, I’ve withdrawn completely.

I speak only when spoken to, keeping my eyes downcast.

Alexander keeps asking if I’m alright, and I respond with a simple nod.

At dinner, the silence is heavy. The others are clearly mind-linking, trying to figure out why I’m so quiet.

“Is this about earlier?” Isabella asks when we’re alone. “You seemed pretty flustered when you ran in.”

“I’m fine.”

“What did he do?”

“Who?”

“My brother?”

I shake my head. She narrows her eyes at me.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure he didn’t mean it. Alexander’s track record with women isn’t great. But I promise, he likes you. Just give him a chance.”

“I’m going to bed.” I mutter, making a quick escape.

I relish the alone time, taking a long, hot shower and changing into fresh clothes before climbing into bed.

When Alexander comes in, I shut my eyes and pretend to be asleep.

I listen to him move around the room.

He pauses by my side of the bed before getting in on the other.

Suddenly, he pulls me against him.

“I know you’re awake. You can pretend all you want.”

I stay still and silent.

“You’re mad about what I said, but you came to me with that deal. You agreed to the terms. You didn’t have to.”

He sighs. “I said it because it’s true. I don’t want another man’s hands on your body.”

His fingers thread through my hair, brushing it back from my face.

A calloused finger traces my cheekbone. He leans in, pressing his lips to the same spot.

It feels strangely familiar, as if he’s done it a thousand times before.