Five

My gaze locked onto Alexis, and I yearned to strengthen our mating bond. The emotion was so strong, and I could feel every beat of her heart and every fucking sensation flooding her body. It made my mouth moist, and I felt goosebumps all over.

I never believed in unconditional love. Everybody wanted something from someone, and ever since I found out Alexis was my mate, I couldn’t stop the lingering fear that this bond might be a game-changer.

She seemed like a scared little girl about to burst out of the room. I looked at her, noticing the notable change since the last time I saw her—the last time she lay sprawled in my bed after a mind-blowing orgasm as she panted and fell back on me.

Byron married her. My irritation spiked. The fucker always wanted everything I owned.

Alexis' lips pressed together, and she rubbed the back of her neck while I tried to push the upsetting information that my mate was my brother’s wife out of my mind.

She looked older, more mature now. My mind cataloged her features like a checklist. Her hair was still the same rich dark brown but now shorter and styled in a bob. Her eyes were bluer and more transparent than the sky. The best features of her face were her lips—full and inviting.

She couldn’t meet my gaze; she looked away, her eyes darting to the floor. Why did she seem so timid? And why was my body raging for my brother’s wife?

I remembered that night like it was yesterday. Five years ago, my grandmother liked to host at one of the numerous parties. She called this one in memorial for my grandfather, who had died the decade before. Knowing my father was shipping me away the next day, I hadn't planned on attending. I already had secret plans with my uncle Blake, who had loaned me $1 million to start my entertainment business.

I showed up for appearances and was heading toward the bar when I saw her. She seemed young, probably nineteen, and didn’t belong in our circle despite being dressed to fit in. It wasn’t her looks that drew me in, but her vulnerability. She didn’t seem like she wanted to be there.

“Are you okay?” I asked her, and she blinked out of her trance.

“You must be Byron,” she said, sounding nervous. I wasn’t Byron, but he was the popular guy, and most of the time, we got mistaken for each other. It wasn’t a new thing.

“It seems we share something in common—we don’t like this party. So don’t you think we should hang out at the bar?”

She nodded vigorously as if I had just given her a luxury ticket. “Yeah, I guess I’m not used to this setting.”

I watched her drink glass after glass of champagne. “Whoa, slow down,” I warned her with a smile, but she giggled, nodding enthusiastically.

“Do you want to go somewhere else?” she asked, leaning forward, and that was the green light. She was more drunk than me, so I remembered every detail. It was the best sex of my life. My face fell in disappointment when I woke up the following day, and her side of the bed was cold and empty.

Seeing her in the flesh after five years as my brother’s wife made my blood boil. She stayed far away from me, still avoiding my gaze.

“Your brother isn’t home.”

“I didn’t come to see him,” I said, leaning into the seat. She raised her head slowly. “What’s going on? Why did you marry him?”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “I married him because he’s my husband, and I love him. I don’t know what’s happening between us, but we must break the bond.”

“Why would I do that?” I said, breaking into an incredulous laugh. “You realize how powerful the bond is?”

Her eyes flashed with anger and she flaunted her wedding band. “It’s the right and moral thing to do. Your brother is my husband—a popular and respected member of the governing council, pack and the country. I don’t want to bring shame to the family.”

“I see you’ve been schooled about me bringing shame, haven’t you?” I said, remaining calm despite clenching my jaw to keep myself from lashing out. “I won’t break the bond. Instead, I’ll take what belongs to me. You’re mine.”

She jumped to her feet. “You can’t do that! People break their bonds if they’re not comfortable with their mates!”

“Are you happy and comfortable in your marriage?”

“That’s none of your business!” she cried out. “You’re a stranger, and you’re not going to come here and ruin things for me.”

I studied her carefully, knowing her words were a lie because her face told a different story. Her eyes flashed with desire, even as she tried to push me away. I smirked, remaining silent for a while before speaking.

“I’m not breaking the bond. I’ll tell everyone and make sure they know the truth,” I said, rising and deliberately moving toward her. She backed away from me until she hit the wall. Her eyes were wide with fear and desire—I could smell it, and it drove me wild.

“You can’t resist me,” I whispered to her. “You’re my mate, and I will claim you.”

“Please, just... please go,” she begged.

I tried to pull myself away, but I couldn’t. It was a magnetic force drawing me closer, infiltrating my senses.

“What’s going on here?” I heard Byron’s irritated growl from the door.