Page 60 of The Wolf's Mate

She needs…not me.

And that fucking hurts.

It’s my fault, though.

Water sloshes again, and an image of Hettie naked in the tub plays through my mind. Her big tits with pointed nipples. The sweet cunt I want to bury my face in each time I see her. And that ass…so fucking perfect. I haven’t taken her there yet, but I will.

I don’t know why I’m punishing myself. I’m so damn hard, all my rational thinking leaves me as I unzip my jeans, pulling out my aching cock. I’m very aware I’m in a hallway where anyone could walk by and see me jacking off by my bedroom door, but I’m too gone to care.

What is she doing in there? Touching herself? Playing with that little clit I love to tease? I grip my cock harder around the base and drag my hand up with a groan. It’s not the same, not nearly enough, but this is my penance.

My balls are heavy, desperate for release. I jerk my cock again and stroke it just how I like it. A little pain. A lot of pleasure. I picture Hettie on her knees in front of me, mouth open, her tits heaving as she comes down from her orgasm.

I imagine coming all over her sexy face, marking every inch of her body. The way we would moan together, sated in our release.

My breath hitches, and soon I’m coming. But instead of painting my mate, I paint the door. Despite the circumstances, I can’t hide my smirk. I couldn’t physically mark her like I wanted to, but I still claimed her in a different way. This room and all who occupy it are mine.

For now and until my last breath.

I tuck myself back into my pants, doing my best to slow my rapidly beating heart. It takes all my strength to turn away from the door and walk back down the dimly lit hallway.

She wants to be left alone. So I leave her alone.

But only for tonight.

Tomorrow, Hettie is mine.

Chapter 27

Hettie

Iwake up alone the following morning. Rip’s side of the bed is cold and empty. Not even Grass is here, since he spent his night with Tallie. I feel so small and insignificant in this large bed.

A bed my alpha should be in.

I glance at the door. It’s still closed because of course it is. I locked it last night out of anger. I was—and still am—angry with Rip. I hate how easily he disregarded my concern. He didn’t even consider a different option. He went with his plan, and I was left looking like a fool.

A locked door wouldn’t have stopped an alpha, let alone my alpha. I locked it just to annoy Rip, because a part of me expected him to knock down the door to get to me. I would have still been pissed, but I might have softened a little knowing he wanted me that badly.

And now I’m mad all over again.

I groan and roll out of bed. The cold air assaults me instantly, and I shiver. “Fucking cold. Fucking wolves,” I mutter, glancing over at the fireplace. No one came in to start the fire this morning.

Because the door is locked.

I already hate today.

My mood doesn’t get better as I get ready for the day, putting on several layers of clothing to keep out the bone-deep chill. I’m not exactly sure what I plan on doing when I unlock and open the door, but it’s not going to find Rip. I can ignore him just as easily as he can ignore me.

I’m about to walk down the hall when I see an odd stain on the door. It’s like someone took icing and sprayed it across the middle of the door and?—

That’s not icing.

“Is that…?” I trail off, and upon closer inspection, it only confirms it.

It’s sperm.

Fucking gross.

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