Chapter 25

Alex It took every ounce of control I had to keep myself together during my own mating ceremony. How could she smell that sweet? That dangerously tempting? And what I hated most was watching him run straight to her, grabbing her hand like his most priced possession. Now the regret is starting to eat me alive. Aina should have been mine, but I ruined everything. Who would have thought her scent could be this intoxicating—so irresistible that every male last night wanted a taste of her? And to make it worse, I didn’t even recognize her right away when I first saw her at Osborn’s side. Miranda’s hand curled over my chest as she kissed me, hungry for my attention, but my mood had already soured. My mind wasn’t with her—it was with another. Scents like Aina’s meant fire, passion… the kind of nights that could break a man. Just thinking about her was enough to make me hard, and Miranda chuckled, thinking she was the cause. Her fingers wrapped around my shaft, squeezing lightly as she bit my lip. “What’s taking you so long, Alex? Do it,” she whispered, spreading her legs wider for me to see her pussy. I could feel how wet she was, dripping, her soft moans filling the air as she wriggled her waist anticipating me. I sighed and finally slid my dick into her, pulling another moan from her throat. But then suddenly my body betrayed me. My dick went soft inside her, and she instantly noticed. Her eyes widened in shock. “What’s wrong? Why did you suddenly go soft?” Damn it, why the hell did that happen? I pulled out quickly, not really in the mood, as I blatantly say “I… I have something to do. We’ll continue later.” But she shook her head. “You have nothing else to do, Alex. This is our honeymoon.” Her words cut deep and I couldn’t believe I had actually forgotten that this was my honeymoon. “I’m sorry. I’m just not in the mood,” I muttered, but she wasn’t convinced. She closed her legs, staring at me with eyes that accused me of lying. “You’ve been like this since last night. Tell me the truth—what’s wrong?” But I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t admit that I was being torn apart by the very woman I had once rejected. So I just shook my head. She slid off the table, covering herself as she turned to leave. “Hey, don’t do that. Come here,” I called after her. But she was already crying. “Do you hate that you married me?” she asked through her tears. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “No. It’s not like that. I’m sorry,” I whispered, but she sobbed against my chest, and I could do nothing. Maybe if I think about Aina again I might get hard, her scent and the way she looked back then, because right now my body wasn't responding to Miranda, so I did, and then it happened. Just the thought of Aina, the memory of her scent—was enough to make me hard once more. My arousal pressed against Miranda, and she stilled before looking up at me with a small smile. “Oh… so now you want me?” I forced a smile and nodded. “Get on the bed,” I instructed, she breathed, letting her clothes slip from her body before she hurriedly went over to the bed as she lay down with a sensual smile on her face, opening herself to me. This time, I couldn’t let her down. So I did the only thing I could: I imagined Aina. To me, the one lying there wasn’t Miranda—it was her. Osborne’s mate. The more I thought of her, the harder I grew, until I thought I might burst. And when I finally entered Miranda again, I moved like a starving beast unleashed. She gasped sharply beneath me, but I didn’t care. My mind wasn’t on her. With every hard thrust, I wasn’t making love to my wife—I was claiming the woman I had once shamelessly rejected. Once we were finished, the room was filled only with the sound of our heavy breathing, like we had just run for miles. Miranda let out a soft laugh as she glanced at me. “Well, that’s the best I’ve ever had. I never knew you had that in you,” she teased with a chuckle. I gave a half-smile. “Well, now you do.” But my thoughts weren’t with her. They were with Aina. Just as I had given myself to Miranda, Osborne had surely done the same with her. I knew deep down he had mated with Aina—her heat was far too strong to ignore. I wondered how she had managed to control herself in the presence of so many unmated wolves. Anyone else would have lost it. But not her. I abruptly got out of bed. “I need to shower.” Miranda rose too, stretching lazily. “Let’s go together.” She was every man’s dream—gorgeous, flawless, the kind of beauty that turned heads everywhere. That was why when I first realized Aina was my mate, the chubby girl everyone mocked including me, I was furious beyond words. If only I had known how intoxicating her scent would be, how powerful the pull of our bond truly was. Damn. I had chosen beauty over what really mattered. I couldn’t wait for this so-called honeymoon to be over so I could steal glances from Aina when I resume work. But the real question lingered in my head—when I faced her again, would I be able to look into her eyes without feeling that damn pull of lust? I doubted it. Controlling myself around her would be hell. And worse, I had to tread carefully. If Osborne ever caught even the faintest hint that I craved his mate, he’d take my head without a second thought. The very idea sent a chill down my spine. I knew the kind of man Osborne was. I sparred with him, and felt his strength firsthand. I could barely keep up in combat, and that was with him holding back. He was ruthless beneath that polished exterior. Everyone else liked to believe he was the perfect, noble type, but they didn’t know him like I did. Osborne was a green snake hiding in green grass—camouflaged, patient, deadly—and far more dangerous than all the vipers combined.