2. Burning Desire

Konstantin

Sitting opposite me, looking as beautiful as the first time I saw her, is the woman I thought would always be at my side. She waits for something from me, staring at me with her beautiful, big blue eyes and her lips withdrawn in a pout.

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and right now, I feel nothing but anger and a sense of possession. Lily is mine; she has always been mine, and yet… How wrong could I have been? Of course, she would meet her mate. Who was I to think that she would be mine forever just because she’s scentless?

I return her smile, knowing she’s only seeking my approval at the fact she wants to leave, but unfortunately, I cannot give that right now.

“Congratulations, Lily,” I say, leaning forward and touching her cheek again. She belonged to someone else, yet… whenever I touch her like this, it drives me crazy. My fingers burn when I touch her skin, even when we’re sparring, and my wolf wants nothing more than to claim her with a bite.

How? How can I feel this way over a wolf who isn’t even mine to claim, a woman who does not belong to me?

“But why leave? I would gladly invite your mate into the pack,” I say, hating every word as it spews out of my mouth. Lily blinks twice, then bites her full bottom lip as she shakes her head.

“No, I can’t do that. I need… I can’t stay here any longer, Konstantin.” She says and looks away from me. I grip the desk I am seated on and try to control myself because of the way she says my name in a breathless whisper.

“I need to leave and start living my own life away from the pack… away from you.”

I frown as she says this, then my realisation hits me at what she means. She doesn’t want to live for me any longer; she wants to live for herself and her mate. The mere thought of another man claiming her, breathing out her name as he fucks and claims her, and her willingly submitting to him makes me see red.

Lily was never a submissive woman; she would punch first and ask questions later, sort of like me in that way.

This is what drew me to her in the first place - she was a fighter and a damn good one at that. So why was she acting like a kid who got sent to the principal’s office?

Sighing, I get up from my desk and try to contain the growl threatening to erupt from my chest by balling my hands into fists. My claws extend, and I feel the blood pooling in my palms, but it calms me.

“Fine, if that is what you want. Your last act as my assistant will be to find someone to replace you and train them to my liking.” I spit out and take a seat opposite her, narrowing my eyes.

She looks at me dumbfounded as if she didn’t expect me to say those words. “O-of course, I won’t leave an inept person to take over from me. You don’t have to worry about that.” She says, then stands up. “Thank you for understanding, Konstantin.” With that, she gives me a friendly smile and turns to leave my office.

Something in me gives.

“I didn’t say we were done, did I?” I say through gritted teeth, and she slowly turns to face me. “I’m leaving tomorrow for Jersey City in place of my brother, and there’s a meeting with an Alpha we’ve just formed an alliance with,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

She nods. “Would you like me to hold the fort or attend the meeting with you?” she asks, but I think she already knows the answer.

“Join me, as my second in command, and bring the person you would like to take over from you so you can show them what would be expected of them,” I say. Lily narrows her eyes at me with suspicion then smiles.

“Of course, leave it to me. Do you need me for anything else?” She says, and I shake my head.

“That will be all, thank you, Lily.”

I open my fists as she leaves, the wounds healed already and punch the concrete wall behind me with such force that it rattles the shelves. Why the fuck am I feeling like this? Lily had every right to leave because of her mate; she had every right to live for herself. But why do I feel so possessive over her?

I suppose it’s because I’ve always felt like I had to protect her since Fenriz gave her to us. I’ve felt this way ever since she stepped into my club, and we made eye contact. The pull to protect her and guide her has been there ever since.

/“She’s ours…”/ my wolf growls, bearing his teeth, and I shake my head.

That’s just it, though. She no longer needed my protection or guidance; her mate would be there to do all those things.

Fucksakes, I need to calm down before I kill someone. I can’t keep doing this and hope for the fucking best.

With my mind made up, I pick up my cell phone and dial the number of the one person I can think of who would be able to relieve this anger. Partially anyway.