Chapter 31

Aina When those words left Osborne's mouth, my mother’s advice came to mind: before he rejects you, get pregnant. The words had once sounded cruel, but now I understood what she had been afraid of. As the Luna left, Osborne pressed a kiss to my lips. Though I was hurt, I pretended not to show it. Yesterday the Alpha had been good and polite with me—so what happened today that made him want Osborne to reject me and wed someone else? And if you thought about it, Osborne only claimed me. He wasn’t truly my mate, but claiming me was almost the same as making me his. The bond true mates share wasn’t there but at the same time it was. “Your head is going to burst,” he said, flicking my forehead. I hadn’t even realized I was getting angry until I flicked him back harder than I anticipated. He laughed and leaned his head back. This wasn’t the time for jokes. “Well, are you going to explain?” I asked, my impatience rising. He sighed. “My father wants me to wed Bella Maxwell— Alpha Hamilton’s daughter from the Waterford pack.” My eyes widened. “Is she your mate?” I asked, perplexed. Don’t tell me he rejected her just to be with me. But he shook his head, and though that eased me slightly, his next words only made my chest tighten. “It’s… kind of a betrothal thing.” That was worse. “You’re betrothed?” I asked, stunned. Wait—he was betrothed, and yet he claimed me? Not just to anyone either, but to the jewel of Waterford pack. Everyone knew how Alpha Hamilton adored his daughter—the only child he had with his late Luna. He never remarried, and when he needed a son to take after him, he got a lady pregnant who bore him a son, rumors said they didn’t even live in the pack house with Bella, but apart. “You don’t have to worry, Aina. I’m not marrying her,” Osborne said quickly, as if he could feel the storm of emotions running through me. And he probably could. If I could feel his frustration now, then he could feel my fear too. “But you just said she’s betrothed to you,” I blurted, panic rising. “It’s not even a strong one,” he said, his voice firm. “It’s just word of mouth my father gave. But I’ve made it clear, Aina—you are the one I want. No one else.” Should I say I was touched by his words? I was… yet at the same time, I wasn’t. How could I compete with an Alpha’s daughter? I had seen Bella in tabloids—she was the type of girl men would fall at her feet to worship. The very epitome of beauty. And me? I was the complete opposite. I couldn’t even understand what Osborne saw in me. With a frown tugging at his face, he pulled me closer and captured my lips in a fierce kiss. It was rough, his tongue pushing into my mouth to claim and explore, until every other thought inside me dissolved. His hand cradled my head with surprising gentleness, anchoring me in the moment. A moan slipped past my lips when he bit down lightly before pulling away. “Ha, you’re driving me crazy,” he murmured, breathless. My gaze dropped instinctively, and there it was—he was already hard. Can you imagine? “So… you’re not marrying her?” I asked. He shook his head firmly. “What about your father then?” My voice came out uneven. “He knows nothing he says will change my mind. Besides, it was a stupid promise he made to Alpha Hamilton years ago—because Hamilton once saved his life.” That caught my attention. “He did?” Osborne nodded. “Yes. My father was traveling a road he thought was safe when rogues attacked. The guards with him were outnumbered and nearly overwhelmed. Just when my father had given up hope of surviving, Alpha Hamilton and his envoys happened to pass that same road. They fought the rogues off and saved him. From that day, the two became friends. And as you’ve probably guessed, my father promised him…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, let’s just say Bella started liking me along the way.” I raised a brow, studying his face as he began looking away. “And?” He gave me an apologetic look. “And I liked her too. So, they—” He paused, reading my reaction. “They decided we would wed. At the time, I thought it was a good idea.” I instinctively drew back a little. “Don’t run from me.” He moved closer, his voice low. “Yes, I liked her.” Who wouldn’t? I thought, “But that was before I met you. When I finally got close to her, I realized she wasn’t the kind of person I wanted. Just like that, those feelings died.” He let out a sigh. It felt like the right time to finally ask the question I’d carried for so long. “Why did you choose me, Osborne?” His gaze snapped to mine, and his expression shifted, more serious than before. “At first, I didn’t know. But as time went by and I couldn’t get you out of my head, I realized I wanted you for myself.” His voice was steady, almost blank. “But why?” I pressed. He gave me a half-smile. “Why do you think there has to be a reason? Oh, wait—I think I know. It’s because you’re cute.” He winked. Oh, please. I instinctively licked my lips, and a low growl escaped him. My eyes widened. “Hold it now, wolfie,” I warned, but before I could push him back, he pulled me against him and captured my lips again. The night had fallen deep around us, shadows cloaking the world. I doubted anyone would see—or even care—but the last thing I wanted was to lose myself here, like this. Still, his kiss devoured me. His tongue slid past my lips, demanding, coaxing, and I tangled my fingers in his hair as our mouths moved in a desperate dance. Our breaths came ragged, his growls rumbling against me like a starved beast. “Damn,” he muttered, dragging his tongue along the sensitive curve of my neck, pulling a whimper from me. “You don’t know what you’ve done to me.” His hand cupped my breast, and my restraint broke. “Let’s go inside,” I whispered urgently. But before I knew it, the world tilted. One second I was sitting, the next I was on my back across the bench, his body hovering above mine. His eyes blazed with raw hunger, his breath ragged as he fought for control. The look on his face made my pulse skip—possessive, primal, undeniable. It was a look that screamed one thing: mine.