Chapter 18: Renee

As I take a step towards the door, a whimper escapes my throat, a sound I cannot control. I am usually strong, but with the omega's command, I am reduced to this—a mere follower of orders. But just as I am about to step and to reach for the doorknob, a strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me back into a firm chest. I recognize the scent immediately—it's him.

 

My alpha. NO! I can't think that that, but Jasmine is pushing it trying to make me see this is the truth. I refuse to listen. He holds me close, and I can feel his growl vibrating through his chest. I know he is upset, and I can't help but to start to whine low in my throat.

 

I hate that I've upset him. But then, suddenly, his growl stops, and he starts to purr. He buries his nose in my hair, inhaling my scent, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck. It's comforting and reassuring, and I know he's not truly angry with me. I relax into his embrace, feeling safe and protected. He nuzzles my hair, a possessive gesture, and I know without a doubt that I am his. Fuck no. That isn't going to happen. At the end of the day, he will reject me like he came to do in the first place.

 

 

 

"Do you still want to handle it, baby?" I can tell by his voice that Jace is back. "Or would you like me to do it for you?"

 

I love that he's giving me the option, but truthfully, I don't want to deal with Alex. Maybe Jace can handle this as a kindness before he leaves me. I turn my head and find myself face to face with Jace, his eyes-only inches away from mine. If I moved even a little, our lips would meet. I can see now that his eyes aren't just blue, but a kaleidoscope of blues, some dark, some white, a little gray even. Little specks of a blue so dark it could be mistaken for black. I am frozen, mesmerized by the swirling colors in his eyes. Words fail me and I can't even remember what I was going to say. The longer I stare, the brighter his eyes seem to get. It's like I'm in another world.

 

"Renee!" Alex's bark interrupts my trance and the bubble is popped.

 

"Can you please?" I whisper to Jace, pleading for him to handle the situation. Jace nods and let's go of me to answer the door.

 

 

As Jace turns to me, a wave of intense power washes over me. It's the unique energy of an alpha, thick and heavy, stealing my breath for a moment. But I know it's not directed at me. He reassures me with a gentle touch and a few words before turning back to the door.

 

"Relax, baby. This is not for you. It will never be directed at you."

 

I nod, trying to calm my racing heart as he opens the door. And there, standing on the other side, is a very pissed off Alex, holding a bouquet of flowers. Jace's expression turns from calm to sharp, his alpha instincts kicking in.

 

"Can I fucking help you?" Jace says, his voice dripping with a dangerous edge.

 

Alex's face goes from pissed to confused to pissed again. I can see his stance change, as if he's trying to suppress his own power. But it's clear that Jace has the upper hand, because I can't feel anything coming off of Alex.

 

" What the fuck are you doing in my mate's home?" Alex demands, trying to push past Jace to enter.

 

But Jace doesn't budge, blocking his way with ease. I can see the frustration and anger building in Alex's eyes, but he doesn't stand a chance against Jace's alpha strength.

 

"Ex mate." Jace growls in warning.

 

"I came to apologize to my mate, and bring her home" Alex finally says, his tone softening slightly. As he tries to look around the much bigger alpha in front of him. And is blocked again.

 

"And you thought barging into our home uninvited was the best way to do that?" Jace retorts, his grip on the door tightening. "Then talking to her like that?"

 

Alex's voice seems to fall, realizing his mistake. "I just wanted to make things right," he says, his voice heavy with regret.

 

 

 

 

Jace stands there facing off against Alex. The tension between them was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Alex has every intention of pursuing me now, but I have no idea why after all this time. And now, it seemed like he was trying to use Jace's possessiveness over me to his advantage.

 

But Jace wasn't budging. He stood tall and confident, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at Alex. "She wasn't interested last night and she isn't today. You rejected what the goddess gave you," he said, his voice dripping with pride. "And now that goddess has given her to me. I intend on keeping her because she is beautiful and perfect just how she is."

 

I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth spread through me at Jace's words. He has shown today and last night a protectiveness of me but hearing him speak about me in such a way sent my heart racing. I knew deep down, my wolf knew that he truly cared for me, and it was moments like these that made me want to believe that me of that. But men are trash. Right?

 

Alex seemed taken aback by Jace's words, his usual cocky demeanor faltering for a moment. "Come on, Jace. You know I'm just messing around. I never thought you were serious about her," he said, trying to brush off the tension between them.

 

But Jace didn't back down. "You may think it's a joke, but I take her feelings seriously. She's not some prize to be won. She's a person with her own thoughts and feelings, and I won't let anyone disrespect that," he said firmly. "She is my mate and will be my Luna."

 

Wait what?