The Unwanted Wolf

ADIRA

I didn’t know what overtook me, but the moment I felt Mark against my body, I was desperate for his touch. I pressed my body into his, deepening the k**s. Mark responded eagerly, running his hands all over my body, sending goosebumps running down my arm. In return, I ran my hands down his chest, admiring every smooth muscle on his torso.

I continued running my hands down until I found the hem of his boxers. My fingers played with the elastic band, and Mark g*****d in anticipation. I brought one hand up, running my fingers through his hair and cupping the back of his head. I pulled him into me, deepening the k**s.

My fingers slipped into his boxers and wrapped around his length. He gasped as I started pumping him slowly. I enjoyed how he twitched under my fingers, finding pleasure in my touch. I didn’t know what had come over me. Usually I was not so forward in the bedroom, but when he climbed into bed with me, a sudden need came over me. Maybe it was because we had barely seen each other, or maybe it was something else, but I wanted him more than ever in this moment.

I kept moving slowly, taking care with every single touch. I wanted to treasure every moment to show Mark that I loved him. I wanted him to feel good the way he made me feel good. I kept my movements slow and deliberate, but it wasn’t long before Mark grew impatient with me.

He broke away from my lips, latching onto my neck. He nipped and sucked on my skin, making me lose focus on my task at hand. I tried to focus on him, but he was making it difficult. Small m***s spilled from my lips, and my core started to burn with such an intensity I had never felt before.

Mark slipped his hand down between my legs and started drawing small circles with his fingers. All was lost at that point, but Mark only seemed to enjoy my reaction. I felt him grow even harder as he pressed into my leg. With his other hand, he pulled my top off swiftly, leaving my torso chilled. He massaged my breast with his hand, and goosebumps filled my body once again.

Mark’s fingers sped up the pace, and then he moved down, slipping them into me. He pumped them slowly at first, but he quickly sped up, making my eyes roll back in my head. I felt the energy building up inside of me with each of his pumps, and I knew I wasn’t going to last much longer. Mark could sense this, so he started sucking on my mark, which sent me over the edge. He continued moving his fingers as I rode out the waves of pleasure.

He didn’t hesitate to pull down my panties and his boxers and position himself between my legs. His lips found my own before he started moving again. He brushed the hair off my face and took a moment to just look at me.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered before kissing me again.

This time he moved so he was filling me up completely. He continued moving, and for a moment, we felt like one. I could feel his energy and his love for me coursing through his veins. I could feel the stress and the worry as well. I clung to his back, wanting to hold onto him for as long as I could. I was suddenly afraid that he would disappear on me. My grip tightened as the heat in my core started to build yet again.

Mark moved faster and faster, and I closed my eyes as I felt the explosion hit me again, only this time was more powerful than any other time with him. I cried out, and Mark captured my mouth. It wasn’t long before he was groaning as he finished himself. He collapsed next to me, and when I opened my eyes, I noticed my entire body was glowing like a giant night light.

My eyes were wide as I looked at my hands more closely.

“Are you okay?” Mark whispered, panic suddenly filling his voice as he grabbed my hand.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Yeah, I think I just got over excited for a moment.”

Mark held my hands as the glowing slowly faded. “Well, that’s new.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes glued to my hands until the glowing completely stopped. “My magic seemed to be showing up more and more.”

Mark pulled me closer to him, and our faces were only a few inches away from each other now. He stroked my hair again, and I felt the buzzing in my body start fading even faster.

Mark pulled me closer to him, and our faces were only a few inches away from each other now. He stroked my hair again, and I felt the buzzing in my body start fading even faster.

“What do you think this means?” he asked.

“I think my magic has been growing,” I said. It was the only explanation I could think of myself, but I planned on asking Ginger about it more tomorrow.

Mark’s eyes started drooping, and I knew sleep was starting to overcome him. “As long as you’re feeling okay.”

I nuzzled into Mark more, my mind still racing. There was something I wanted to talk to him about, but this was the first I had time alone with him in a while.

“Mark,” I whispered. When there wasn’t a response, I knew he had already fallen asleep. I let out a soft sigh, knowing it would have to wait.

–

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed. I sat up, looking around the room for Mark, but he was nowhere to be found. He came to bed after me, so I was surprised he left before I was even awake. I was sure he was working extra hard because of our guests, but it made me wonder if I was doing enough on my end to support him.

Where are you hiding? I linked Mark.

I didn’t get a response right away, so I got up and started getting ready for the day. I wanted to make an appearance at breakfast to try to meet more of the friendly faces. In the middle of the day, I was supposed to meet up with Ginger for more training. Yesterday had been surprisingly successful with the practice for my magical powers. I wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but I was able to pick up on new techniques faster than before.

When I had finished getting dressed for the day, I started to grow a little worried that Mark still hadn’t responded to me. Usually he was quick to respond, so I was sure he was doing something important to not respond right away. There was a chance he was on another patrol and was too far for linking to work.

When I got to the dining room, I looked around for Mark, hoping to see him, but he wasn’t there. I had a feeling he wouldn’t be, but I was itching to touch base with him. There was something I wanted to talk to him about. Well, at least I had a feeling there might be something. I wasn’t really sure if there was anything to bring up yet, but I still wanted to talk to him.

“Hey there, stranger,” Scythe said, walking up to me with a bagel in hand.

“Oh hey,” I said, my eyes still searching the room.

“Could you sound more disappointed to see me?”

I looked at Scythe with wide eyes. It wasn’t my intention to make him feel that way at all. “Sorry! I really am happy to see you. I feel like it’s been hard to talk to everyone with such a busy pack house.”

Scythe snickered at me. “I’m just teasing you, Addy.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Have you been talking to Mason?”

Scythe smirked. “Maybe.”

I poked his shoulder, making a point to dig my finger into his skin more than normal. “Continue to use that name on me, and I will hurt you. I’m going to have to hurt Mason for even bringing that up to you.”

“Aww, but I like it! I like Mason, too,” Scythe noted. “He seems like a good fit for Rie. It’s funny seeing her so in love, though. She never acted that interested in finding her mate before.”

“I was never really interested in finding my mate until I met Mark, so I get it.” I found myself looking for his face again, even though I knew he wasn’t here. I still kept hoping he would show up.

“He’s out on patrol with Alpha Lyna. He didn’t want to wake you this morning, so he asked me to tell you,” Scythe said, watching me watch the room.

I looked at him, trying to hide my disappointment. “Ah. I didn’t realize he was going on patrol again so early. He should have woken me up.”

Scythe put his hand on my shoulder. “You really are a love-sick puppy, huh?”

I looked at Scythe curiously. “What are you talking about? I’m fine.”

“Adira, it’s okay to miss your mate. There’s been a lot going on, so I know the two of you haven’t spent much time together. It gets easier. I promise,” Scythe said.

I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say. I didn’t want to be one of those people who were constantly moppy just because they couldn’t spend every minute of their time with their mate.

“How’s Percy doing,” I asked to get the subject off me.

“He’s still adjusting. I don’t think our sudden guests have been much help, either. It’s been a lot, and he misses his pack.” Scythe’s expression fell. “I just wish I could make him feel more at home here. I love seeing him more, but I hate that he’s unhappy.”

“Is there anything I can do to make him feel at home?” I asked. I could imagine how Percy was feeling. I had experience with getting kicked out of your home before.

He shook his head. “He’s not unhappy because he’s here. I think he’s just upset at how things went down. His life was suddenly turned upside down.”

“I hope he starts to adjust.” I paused for a moment, observing the room. Everything felt pretty upside down right now. We hadn’t had a chance to establish a normal life here before everything had started, which made me feel more on edge. “Jori approached me.”

“What?” Scythe exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“There’s been a lot going on, and I’m not really sure what’s going to happen with Jori. He wants to make amends, but he says he only wants to work with me.” I had gone back and forth with how I was feeling with the situation. One moment I felt hopeful that Jori was being truthful and everything would work out, but another part of me was telling me we still couldn’t trust him.

“Do you think he means it?” Scythe asked. I heard the skepticism in his voice. It sounded the same as Mark’s.

I shrugged. “I hope so, but I don’t really know. Something seemed to almost be off about him. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly.”

“Percy mentioned Jori hasn’t been himself recently. Maybe the mate rejection affected him more than he is willing to admit,” Scythe suggested.

“Perhaps. Either way, we’re not going to rush into that situation. There are other things that are more important,” I said. “I should probably get some food before we run out. I have a busy day ahead of me, but hopefully I’ll see you later.”

–

CAIN

I paced back and forth in my room, running my fingers through my hair. I knew what I needed to do, but I also knew what the results would be. Adira would hate me, but she already hated me, so what did it matter? If it meant my daughter would be safe and alive, I would have to do it. One day she would understand. One day she would realize the depths of her ignorance and understand I had no choice. She gave me no choice.

I shifted to the man I hired to get the job done. He scowled at me when I appeared in his room.

“Cell phones are a thing, you know? What makes you think you have the right to come into my private space without an invitation like this?”

I rolled my eyes at him. He was an annoyance to work with, but I knew I needed his help to achieve the next steps. “Get over yourself, will you? You need me as much as I need you.”

“I don’t need you,” he instantly said. “I can get what I want without your help.”

“Don’t give me that. If that were the case, you would already have what you want. Just face it. We need each other,” I said. I really wished there was another way to get what I wanted without working with someone who acted high and mighty.

He rolled his eyes at me. “Whatever. So why are you here?”

“It’s time.”

His expression shifted and a smirk pulled onto his lips. “Excellent. I’ll execute our plan tonight.”

“Don’t mess this up,” I cautioned. “You’re only going to get one chance.”