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Part 11

/Erin's POV/

As the question washed over me, I shifted on my feet. Suddenly the room turned hot, toes curling as sweat clung to my skin. My chest heaved, chin raising defiantly to meet the Alpha's accusing stare. He appeared a lot closer than before, making my heart pound.

"It's my family issue, Rowan." I crossed my arms against my chest, making sure to emphasise on the 'family' part. His face fell for a second, inhaling sharply.

"Are you serious right now?" His brows rose in utter disbelief as if the Alpha couldn't believe that I would even have the nerve to say something like this. "We have known each other for years, Erin. My brother and I expect you to inform us of such critical matters, especially if we are going to be mates."

"Temporary mates." I harshly corrected him, noticing the way Rowan flinched. I swallowed at how his shirt was rolled up to display his biceps, the flexing muscles in his arms visible. The Alpha could probably hold me up, let me wrap my legs around his middle, press me against a wall as we rub off against each other.

Stop right there. I reminded myself.

"Just because we shook on an agreement doesn't make you entitled to act as my real mate. I hope you keep that in mind for the future, Rowan."

Rowan looked over, frown prominent. He never was one for hiding his emotions, desire just as easy to read as irritation and betrayal. "Real mate? Who are you fooling? We both know the truth."

Straightening, I let my arms drop by my side, pinning him with a glare. "Fuck you," I muttered while trying not to notice how the hot, humid air in the room has made Rowan's wavy hair curl back into springy ringlets, reminiscent of the teenage version. It's as though my brain kept stumbling back and forth between past and present, finding it difficult to stay sane.

“That's real mature,” The Alpha cut in, drawing himself up to his full height, his jaw set into a tight curve. He pushed into my space, voice rising as one hand closed around my forearm.

His scent has been getting headier and headier, rich and deep where it was light and warm before. Now it's overheating, dark energy and teasing. I never felt anything like the way it took over me.

“L-Learned from the best after all.” I shot back at the Alpha while taking a step back, the come press of the wall against my behind a chilling change. Rowan was warm, with overwhelming pressure along my front. I twisted against him, sucking in a sharp breath at the delicious friction, the Alpha not giving so much as an inch.

Moons!

I could smell the way Rowan's natural scent turned positively feral at that, and I could feel my legs widening a little of their own accord. My body had all these responses I was hardly aware of—how much I wanted him inside of me, wanted him to flip me over and take me however he wanted.

“Still have the same effect on you, don't I?" He ground his hips forward, and I fully intended on pushing him away but parted my thighs for better access instead. It was a bad idea, but it was challenging to think through the unexpected shiver that gripped my spine. The Alphas mocking laugh was husky, his voice even more profound when he added, “Answer me, pup.”

That one word was all it took for my blood to boil, an actual searing heat starting from inside, radiating through my pores. Partly because of how close we stood, the warmth of our bodies mixing in the tight bubble around, making my skin feel weird and buzzy. And secondly, for that ridiculous nickname Rowan used.

"Like you have room to talk, seeing as...” I wedged a hand between our bodies to drag my knuckles over the noticeable bulge in his trousers. The contact had Alpha Rowan hunch forward, his hips stuttering into my touch.

Before I could finish my sentence, Rowan crushed his lips against mine. His hand slid under my sweater, palm splaying out against my back, skin burning beneath his fingers as if his touch could leave an imprint on my body.

There's no sweetness to it, desperate mouths and tongues sliding together, the bitter remnants taste of coffee spreading between. Heat sank into my skin, and my heart stuttered, feeling almost dizzy at the proximity, at how his fingers wrapped around my wrist, tightly clenching. To retaliate I wound my free hand into his hair, giving it a sharp tug as the Alpha bit down on my bottom lip.

Carding my finger through his damp curls, I twisted them around my pointer fingers the exact way Rowan kept tugging. I could hear the sharp exhale of his breath, followed by his nails digging into my skin.

His mouth was slick, his hands relentless, breathing heavy, and I was so deep over my head, I felt like drowning. For a split second, Rowan pulled back as if to say something, but I quickly stopped him.

"Shut up," I sneered, moving slower than before, taking my time, learning and tasting with every swipe of the tongue. Even after years, I cannot believe how good it felt to be near Rowan, how attracted my omega was to him.

That only thought was enough to snap me back to reality. I was the one to break the kiss, feeling him slump forward, leaning his forehead against mine. For a minute, I wondered if Rowan could hear how rapidly my heart was beating. The warmth that enveloped my whole body just minutes ago had vanished entirely, leaving behind nothing but icy claws digging into my skin.

“Erin…” He slowly started.

“This was a mistake,” I said firmly and then walked away.


As soon as I reached the clinic, the staff whispered behind my back. That’s a standard instance in my life but what alarmed me was their fake and polite smiles directed my way. What was going on? Before heading towards the main hallway, a stranger’s voice stopped me.

“Excuse me, Miss Woods?”

I turned to the person, raising my brow while trying not to shift on my feet at her stare nervously. Did something happen to my father while I was gone? Esther would have called me in that case.

“Yes?”

“Your father, Adam Woods, has been shifted to the upstairs suite room. It’s 201. It’s on the left side.”

My mouth opened and closed at that, loss at words while my eyes shifted around the room. That’s when I realised that a few of the nurses were staring at me in envy. Now that’s absurd.

“What do you mean shifted? I thought we were supposed to take him home today.”

The nurse nodded her head, her hands tucked in the scrubbers pocket, tilting at me. “You were but your Alpha told us that he will be paying for the treatment and getting the best doctor here….”

“My Alpha?!” My shrill voice rang around, attracting a few unwanted stares in my direction. Sheepishly smiling, I apologised before turning to the nurse. “You must be mistaken, Nurse Jasmine. I do not….” I cut myself off, suddenly, realising that Rowan was the only one who came to see me. Why would Alpha Reed come to visit my father without asking me?

“Right!” I nervously chuckled, blowing the loose strands out of my face. “My darling Reed must be here already. Thank you. I got it from here, Nurse Jasmine.”

“Have a good day!”

I almost scowled at the irony, fully aware of how good my day was turning out to be.


Pushing open the door, I saw Alpha Reed sitting by my father's side, munching on apple slices. Seriously?! While my mother was cutting the apples for him with a bright smile on her face. She never did that for me. I pushed past the jealousy bubbling in my stomach and turned to face him.

“What do you think you are doing here?!”

All four heads turned towards me—one in confusion, one in surprise and the other two in shame. My father slowly sat up in his bed, resting against the plush pillows.

“Erin! What’s wrong with you? He is our guest.” My sister scowled, rushing to my side and nudging me. Esther giggled in Reeds direction, tucking her hair shyly behind her ears.

“She is not usually like this.”

“I know,” Reed whispered back.

Ignoring their hushed whispers, I turned to narrow my eyes towards Reed.

“How was work today? You are back early.” My father slowly started in hopes to try and steer the conversation in a different direction.

Reed cleared his throat. “As soon as I heard about Uncle Adam, I had to come and see him.”

“Reed says he wants to talk to me about something important.” My father added, and my breathing stilled, eyes growing wide as I snapped my head at Alpha Reed.

Did he ask my father about courting me already?


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