Chapter 3

"I hope I get a commission for those photos." A smooth, velvety voice spoke behind me, whispering something sinful down my spine. The hair on the back of my neck and arms stood up in attention and my knees shook with anticipation but for a moment, I held still, staring at the photos, my back to the pack house. To anyone, it would have seemed as if I didn’t hear a voice behind me- but I knew, and he knew that I was at full attention.

“Did you get my good side, at least?” Footsteps crunched on the gravel growing louder by the second but I still couldn’t move from my frozen position. Suddenly, two large rough hands slid sensually over my arms and tenderly enclosed my hands holding my camera. An overwhelming warmth pressed softly against my back, tingles racing down my spine as a warm breath blew against the back of my neck and shoulder. I couldn’t help but let out a subtle gasp.

The voice hummed in approval, gazing at the picture I took- the one of Beta Carter’s desire made plain and clear on his face. I gulped, with a knot stuck in my throat, I couldn’t bring myself to move an inch from my position. The rough hand pressed lightly down on my own thumb to search through the pictures, taking his sweet and tender time at each one, humming every now and then as his left hand drew light circles on the inside of my wrist. I couldn't help but wonder what else those fingers could do so sensually.

After several minutes of this debauchery, I finally worked up the muscles in my neck to peer behind me at who was holding me so tenderly.

It was him. Beta Carter. In all his golden glory. The light was catching the top of his hair again and his russet brown hair shined pure golden like a gorgeous autumn sunset. He kept his gaze on the camera for a moment before our eyes met. I couldn’t help but admire his gem-like blue eyes. They matched Alpha and Lucy Lockwood’s but for some reason- it looked so unique on this Adonis of a man.

“Hey there.” He whispered between us- as if it were a secret he wanted to keep hidden. Something just the two of us shared and would keep locked in our hearts until the end of time. I couldn’t help but gulp in anticipation. “So, do I?” He asked, the velvety timbre vibrating through my back and very low in my person.

“What?” I whispered out breathlessly.

“Get a commission? They’re photos of me, you know.” He mumbled sensually, his mouth quirked into a subtle smirk. I couldn’t hold back my mirth and threw my head back in a loud chuckle. His twinkling eyes squinted as his cheeks pushed up from his growing smile.

“Depends, how much do you want?” I teased back, my voice matching his low volume. As if it was made just for the two of us. Beta Carter's eyes turned dark and mischievous as a smirk replaced his smile.

“All of it.” His voice turned rough as he turned me to fully face him and cupped my rosy cheeks, his thumbs stroking the edges of my bottom lip, tantalizingly slow as they traveled across every inch of my quivering sensitive skin.

“Hmm.” I hummed, closing my eyes. “That’ll be tough. I’m not sure I can meet those demands. They’re pretty unreasonable. ” I tried to maintain confidence but my voice betrayed me and became breathy near the end. The entire world was forgotten at this point as we thrived in our own personal bubble.

“How about just a kiss then?” His blue eyes started to darken. His thumbs still caressing my lips, making them buzz like a live wire. His own lips started to close the distance, however still hesitating. Still waiting for my answer.

“I can settle for that.” I whispered, our lips a breath away- practically touching already. Every nerve was alive within me as his fingers slid deeper to tangle themselves in my hair. I wanted more, till there was no separation between us.

“Carter? Are you coming in?” The deep voice of Alpha Lockwood sounded behind him, momentarily halting us from our hazy stupor. His descent stopped as he tilted his head to the side, not taking his eyes off me and shouted, “I’ll just be a minute.”

Another voice sounded as well, “Beta Carter, there are several issues that need your immediate attention.” A gruff unfamiliar voice sounded as well. At that, I blinked and peered behind Beta Carter to see an older gentleman crossing his arms, his dark skin taut with frustration. A pack council elder, it seemed.

“I’m sure they can wait for me to finish talking to my mate.” Beta Carter emphasized, his eyes still not straying from my face. My eyes shot back to him in surprise. Several gasps sounded around us. The man in question lowered his voice for his next sentence, meant only for me, “Now if only she would tell me her name, then maybe I could move on with my day.” He smirked once more, his eyes darkened as he leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Unless your goal is to have me so distracted thinking about you, I can’t get anything else done.”

My face flushed pink. “You talk to every girl this way?” I tried to remember what confidence sounded like.

“Just the ones who are worth it.” I felt him flash a cheeky smile against my ear.

“And how many is that?” My brain was so foggy I could barely keep our dance going without falling to my knees. What was my name again?

“Jealous? Are we?” He purred, the sound vibrating through my person and resonating deep within me.

“Beta Carter, time really is of the essence.” The older man huffed exasperatedly. A soft smile curled up said man’s lips and he leaned back to meet my eyes again. He really finds amusement in everything doesn’t he?

“Your name, beautiful?”

My brain- essentially a pile of goo whispered out, “E-”

“Paisley? Is that you?” My ‘father’s’ voice sounded from the pack house as well.

And like an icy wave crashed over me, every hot and aching part of my body turned cold and limp. Paisley. The girl whose body I temporarily stole. Paisley. Not me.

“Paisley...” Beta Carter’s name spoke slowly as if tasting the word on his luscious lips. “It’s beautiful.” He smiled at me with a look of adoration shining from his crystal gem eyes.

A deep heavy stone fell into my stomach and sat there, resting on my conscience.

This man believed me to be his mate, but little did he know that I was not the beautiful Paisley he sees before him but an imposter wearing her skin, living the life that should be hers.

Suddenly- my ‘prize’ didn’t fit its description anymore.

A pair of soft lips brushed against my forehead, humming against my imposter skin. “You’re mine Paisley. I’m yours, and you’re all mine.” He whispered before turning back and heading into the pack house much to the relief of the entire entourage on the porch.

I held back the tears and tried not to shake. Why couldn’t it be true? Why? I felt like I had a taste of something so wonderful only to realize I was given someone else’s order. An imposter. A fake. That’s what I was.

I felt sick to my stomach. How could I, in good conscience steal what is rightfully the real Paisley’s, and how could I be with this beautiful man when no matter how much I wish it to be- he’s not mine.

And I’m not his.