Page 22 of Tying the Knot
“No, go away. Leave me alone.” I keep moving towards the stairs, thankful I only have one flight to run up before I reach the safety of my room and my nest.
To my shock, he follows me. He catches up with me outside my room.
“Stop!” I say, putting my hand up.
“Please, Morgan. I hate that you’re hurting so badly.”
It takes me aback. “Why do you care so much?”
“I do care about you. You don’t deserve any of this.”
It’s more than I can bear. The kindness in his tone is my undoing. I let the tears escape and roll down my cheeks as he takes me in his arms. I lean against him, bunching my hands into his shirt again as I weep. He kisses the top of my head, which only makes me cry harder. The tenderness that was lacking in my mated relationship becomes even more glaring that this complete stranger can give it to me without even knowing me.
I look up at him, and everything I felt about my pack disintegrates in that one moment. My stomach clenches, and I feel sick and lightheaded as my bonds unravel, but at the same time, I feel like a weight has been lifted. I rise up on my tiptoes, bunching my hands tighter into his shirt and slam my lips against his, thrusting my tongue into his mouth to devour him with a kiss filled with more passion than I ever had from my pack. It is the final nail in the coffin.
I know they never loved me.
This just proves it.
ChapterSixteen
Dylan
My cock jumpsto attention as my heart bangs against my ribs. Morgan’s tongue in my mouth is exactly how I imagine it. I cantasteher scent. It is beyond erotic, but as much as I want to pursue this, and however much I want her, I force myself on a cellular level to pull back, breathless, and so aroused, I want to cry.
“I need an answer,” I practically whimper against her lips.
Her breath is warm on my damp mouth, panting softly as she cups my face.
“I know,” she whispers. “The answer is yes. They have lost me, but…”
“I know.” I pull back from her and drop my hands from her waist.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, please, you have nothing to apologise for.” My heart is breaking, but I know this is the right thing deep down. She might have decided that the pack has lost her, but she can’t just switch off the mating. It doesn’t work like that. I wish to God it did, but these things take time. Maybe in a few years, depending on when the bite was last renewed. It has taken this kiss, this one perfect kiss with her, for me to realise that I,we, can’t pursue her.
“The mating is unravelling,” she blurts out frantically. “It’s been years since a renewal and the separation…”
She chews her lip nervously.
Her words sink in, and a glimmer of hope raises its head again. I try to push it back with all my might, but I’m just not strong enough. I can’t do it.
“Okay,” I murmur. “It’s okay. You don’t need to…”
“I want to. I don’t want you to think that this kiss meant nothing. Fuck.” She looks away; her expression is despondent.
“I know it meant everything to me.” I say this, so she knows how I feel without actually telling her and putting her in an even more awkward position.
She gives me a wobbly smile and pulls the room keycard out of her back pocket. “You’re sweet. Thank you for understanding.”
I nod, unable to form words. I will choke on them, especially if I have to lie and tell her that it’s nothing to worry about.
“Take care,” she mutters and disappears into her room.
It’s like a knife to the heart. I don’t know what to do except move away from her room and try to outrun her scent.
Before I hastily take the stairs, wondering what the fuck I’m going to tell Eli, Kaleb and Nik, I slip my card under her door so she can ring me if she needs or wants to. Do I mention this or not? Is it worth waiting for her? She didn’t say to, or give me any indication that we should.
