Chapter 4

AYRA

He left.

Was I that much of a bad kisser?

I was confused as hell, but I had no way of l knowing. One moment, he had me pressed against him as he claimed my lips, and the next, he was running out of there like his ass was on fire.

I wasn't in the mood to party anymore. I looked around for Nikki, informing her that I was heading home so she wouldn't worry.

I stripped off my clothes, climbing into my bed where I took care of my burning desire, all the while envisioning his hands on my skin.

I was about to drift off when I caught sight of something - or rather someone - through my floor-to-ceiling window.

There on the balcony was Nathaniel, his hungry eyes burning with fiery desire as he trailed them over my naked body.

I was instantly filled with embarrassment. He'd seen me jerk off with his name on my lips as I came apart.

He growled something before storming inside his room, closing the French doors behind him.

What the fuck was wrong with me? Not only had I kissed him, but I'd also loved every second of it. Worse more, I didn't know him until a few hours ago.

What had I done?

***

I woke up the next morning, determined to forget my experience with Nathaniel. If he was going to run away, then why did I have to get hung up about it?

What happened last night was normal. We were both adults and consented to the whole thing.

I climbed down the stairs after getting dressed for the day, the smell of breakfast filling my nostrils immediately.

I walked into the kitchen where I found Reese, plating up breakfast.

"Oh, hey. I thought you were still asleep. I was about to bring breakfast up to your room."

"Thanks. Are the others still asleep?"

"Yeah. They partied hard last night. You left the party before it even began," she said, putting a plate in front of me.

"Ah, yes. I wasn't feeling too well. I was still worn out from the swimming hours before."

That was partly true, but that wasn't the reason I left.

"It's understandable. There were rumors that the Alpha had you in his bed last night."

I choked on a pancake. "What?"

"They saw you two holding hands on the beach. I know nothing of the sort happened. I saw Sandra entering his house when we were returning last night."

"Who is Sandra?"

"They had a fling in the past. Sandra likes to claim it was a relationship, but everyone else knew they weren't serious. Alpha Nathaniel never confirmed if they were more than casual sex. Surprisingly, his 'thing' with her lasted this long. He wasn't with the others as long as he was with Sandra."

Pain and jealousy filled my chest. Just a few hours after the kiss we shared, he was back with his old mistress. I blamed myself for letting him touch me. I felt so used thinking of the situation.

"From the look of things, they're serious. He's back with her," I said, my face sour.

"You could be right. Get your face stuffed. I have to go wake the others up. When we're done eating, I'll take you on a tour around the island"

"That would be very much appreciated."

"It's the least I could do."

She sauntered off, leaving me to my thoughts. Today would be a fresh start for me. No fantasizing over Nathaniel.

***

"This necklace looks amazing on you. You should get it," Nikki gushed, holding the diamond necklace to my neck.

"I don't have any money on me."

"Silly. Everything is free. The Alpha provides for us. We do have a monthly limit, though. You should go meet him later in the day to know your limit," she said.

"Maybe it's best if I ask him first before buying anything."

"Ladies. What brings you by?" A sweet voice said, drawing my attention to the approaching woman.

She was of medium height with curly brown hair that framed her oval face.

"Kimberly!" Nikki shrieked, throwing her arms around the woman. "It's been a long while. Ayra, this is Kimberly. She's our Beta's mate."

"Hi. It's nice to meet you," I said, holding my hand out, but she hugged me instead. "Oh, I'm sorry. I should've asked if you liked being touched."

I returned her smile. "It's fine."

"How much does this necklace cost?" Nikki asked, holding the necklace out to Kimberly.

"Oh, that isn't on sale. I forgot to take it off the sale items. Nathaniel said to send it over to him."

Nikki pouted, handing the necklace to Kimberly. "Oh. I just thought it'd look good on Ayra."

"When the next items are coming in, I'll make sure to add this to the cart. I'll call you when it arrives."

"Thanks. Come on, Ayra. Let's go look over some other pieces."

"She's nice," I said when we were out of earshot.

"Yes. It's unreal. So, when are you going to tell me what went down between you and Seth?" She asked, strapping a bracelet to her wrist.

"Huh?"

"Don't play dumb, Ayra."

"He asked me out on a date."

"I knew it," she hissed. "He was all over you at the pool yesterday. What did you say?"

"No. I'm not ready for a relationship. Who knows if I'll even stay here?"

"You might. Depends on what the Alpha decides. Seth lost his mate during the attack on their pack. It's a miracle that he's alive. So, if you're worried he'll find his mate and leave you, don't be."

I shook my head. "It's not that. I'm just not interested. I think we're better off as friends."

"Just a day here and you're already breaking hearts. I live for the drama. It'll be fun to see how things between you two get."

"There'll be nothing. Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

"You ate before we came in here."

"That was an hour ago."

"Wow. I think we got a little foodie on our hands."

***

"I'm here to see the Alpha," I said to the man at the gate.

"Do you have an appointment?" He asked.

"Uh, no? A friend said I had to ask the Alpha for my monthly spending limit."

He opened the gate wider. "Come in. Go straight ahead into the building. It's the first office on your left on the fifth floor."

"Thanks."

I made my way across the driveway, opening the door to the building. I went over to the woman at the front desk.

"I'm here to see the Alpha. The guard at the gate said I could."

She smiled at me. "Yes. He told me already. The Alpha will be waiting for you. Take the elevator over there."

"Thanks."

I followed the instructions the guard gave me, stopping in front of Nathaniel's office. I dreaded the meeting, but Nikki said it was mandatory for everyone who lived here.

Don't worry, Ayra. Go in there and act like yesterday never happened.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" Nathaniel called from inside his office. He sounded pissed.

I twisted the knob, pushing the door open. Behind a huge mahogany desk was Nathaniel with a sour look on his face.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I came to ask for my monthly spending limit. The girls said it was important."

"Sit," he ordered. "This will take a while to arrange."

I took a seat on the chair in front of his desk, keeping my gaze glued to the floor.

"I heard you have a little date tonight," he said.

How did he know about that? Rumors did fly fast around here.

"And what about it?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Does he know you had my name on your lips last night as you came apart on your bed?" He asked, typing away on his keyboard. "Or just hours ago you were grinding on my cock?"

I laughed to myself, the sound lacking any humor. "Unbelievable. Does your mistress know you were watching me like a creep last night? I guess not. You don't have the right to come at me with that bullshit." I was fuming inside. "You know, I turned him down, but I'll go tell him I'm interested. This time around, you can watch us fuck from your balcony."

I shot up from my seat, storming to the door. I didn't make it out on time because Nathaniel was suddenly behind me, slamming the door shut with his hand.

His other hand wrapped around my neck, pulling me against his chest. "You will not let him touch you. Understood?" He growled.

"Fuck you, Nathaniel. It's my body, and if I want to fuck him, I will. You have no right to tell me what to do with my body."

"You will not let him touch you," he repeated, his voice turning terrifyingly calm. For some reason, I preferred his anger to this.

"You have no right to tell me what to do," I said, my voice losing some of its anger.

"Don't I?"

Before I could protest, he yanked down my collar, sinking his fangs into my collarbone, his actions causing pain to rocket through my body.

"You're mine, Ayra. If he lays a hand on you, I'll be forced to hurt him. Do you understand?" I didn't reply. "Good. Now leave."

He didn't have to tell me twice. I sped out of his office.

***

NATHANIEL

I'd done it.

I'd marked her.

I'd allowed my demon to take control of me, and I'd marked her.

"Fuck," I growled, swiping off the contents of my desk. I picked up my chair, throwing it against the glass window.

It was no match for my strength. The window shattered into a million pieces. I sat on the floor, holding my head in my hands.

"Old friend."

I removed my hand from my head, looking up at the dark presence. "Rozol."

"They know, Nathaniel. They're coming for her."

"What do you mean?"

"They know she's yours. They're going to kill her."

Double fuck.

This was why I didn't let my emotions get the best of me. The first time I let go of the reins I had over my control, I'd fucked up.

"What do I do?"

"What your father did when he marked your mother. The same thing your ancestors did. You protect her."

He faded into a cloud of dark smoke just as the door to my office flew open.

"We heard the noises. Are you okay?" Logan asked, panting heavily.

"No."

Logan frowned at my admission. It was understandable, though. This was the first time I'd confessed something like that to him.

Things were about to get hectic around here.