Page 59 of Shattered

“It’s not... I mean, he’s hot.” She motioned to the man. “His features are flawless. He’s got this whole silent strength going on for him. He-he seduced all of us with his presence.”

“I’ll have to remember that one, bèndàn,” Jochi said, surprising Aurora.

Jefferson chuckled. “I don’t know if I should be pissed or turned on or both.”

Mackenzie growled. “Neither if you know what’s good for you.”

Jochi snickered. “Puppy has a thorn in his paw.”

“Don’t tease that one,” Kalkin grumbled. “He’s still got it in his damn head he’s feral.”

“He needs to fuck his mate and get it out of his system,” Jochi purred. “It does wonders for the beast.”

Heat filled Aurora’s cheeks. “Uh...”

“He won’t mate her,” Kalkin stated. “Knowing my brother like I do, he’ll let both of them suffer because duty to family and broken honor have kept him locked in place.”

The accuracy of Kalkin’s words smacked Aurora in the face. He’d been right. After their conversation earlier, the Alpha voiced everything Aurora had been thinking. She wasn’t sure what she wanted when it came to Mackenzie, but she feared the hesitancy she experienced with him had a lot to do with him too. If he couldn’t come to terms with her being his mate, how did she accept the truth of it.

“Shut up, Kalkin,” Mackenzie snarled.

“You know the best way to shut me up,” the Alpha said. “Prove us all wrong.”

The dim, early light filtered into Mackenzie’s room as he came awake. None of the unsettled emotions of waking—dick hard and coming—as the most hedonistic dreams overtook him, wracked his body. He rolled over and came face to face with Aurora and a grin spread across his face. She’d stayed the night. He’d been sure she’d go home after the play, yet when the time came, she climbed into his truck and made no mention of her apartment.

He inhaled her wonderful aroma and shuddered in pleasure. His dick lengthened and pulsed. He’d allowed the wolf to come forward to take his fill of her, before settling in. Something clicked into place while they’d been at Kalkin’s. He and the wolf came to an understanding, unlocking more of his memories from the last three weeks.

Aurora.

He’d spent more time with her than he thought he had been. Sure, the majority of it had been in his wolf form. It should have frightened the shit out of him, however it didn’t. Maybe Kalkin had been right. He’d been so stressed out because of Holly, he suppressed all of his emotions. He snorted softly. No, he’d been doing it for a hell of a lot longer, Holly had been the tipping point and it’d been no one else’s fault but his own. As Kalkin would say, he had the propensity for making a shitty situation shitter.

So, how did he fix things between him and Aurora? How did he prove he could be a mate when he’d demonstrated to himself over and over again, he failed at it? How did he reconcile his mistrust of someone who deserved his trust? Aurora had done nothing wrong, she protected Abby from a man who’d more than likely abuse her instead of loved her.

Like Holly?

No. Aurora was nothing like Holly. He couldn’t compare the two of them. The only way they’d been alike was Abby being Aurora’s aunt, as Holly was Hayden’s aunt. After that, nothing was the same. Aurora had the misfortune of following behind Holly. Guilt ate at Mackenzie. He didn’t even like putting them side by side.

Fuck, I don’t think I can do this again.

Aurora stretched in her sleep. Her soft scent licked across his senses, awakening the wolf. Mackenzie tucked her close to his body. His dick swelled becoming impossibly hard. When they settled into bed the night before, he made her a promise. Nothing would happen without her consent.

Now, this close to her, his heart pounded. His mouth watered as the smell of her arousal wrapped him in a comforting blanket. It was a drug he craved and detested at the same time. It made him want to forget about his pledges and take what was his. He curled his lip in disgust. She deserved better than him. She deserved more.

Aurora stirred in her sleep, rubbing her butt against his groin. A spark of pleasure shot through him and Mackenzie tightened his hold. Shit, if she even knew what she was doing to him, she didn’t acknowledge it.

“Aurora,” he murmured.

“Mac?” She stretched, wiggling again.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” He ran his hand under her shirt and palmed her breast. The soft, supple skin had been a stark contrast to his calloused hands. He ran his thumb over her nipple and enjoyed how her nipple hardened, responding to his touch. “We shouldn’t be doing this. Not yet. Not so soon after—”

“My first time?” She rolled, facing him. “Mac, I’m not sure what I want.”

“Then we don’t have to do anything,” he replied. “Although, it is nice waking up remembering everything I did the night before.”

She chuckled. “I bet.” Aurora scooted forward, her mouth was inches from his, and he froze. “Can you answer one question for me?”

He studied her features. They were neutral, almost too passive for his liking, but he didn’t say a word. If she wanted answers, he’d give as many as she needed, even though he knew he shouldn’t push the situation. “Sure. Whatever it is, I’ll answer.”

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