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Azura

“ W e shouldn’t have done that,” I say quietly.

He shouldn’t have done that.

“Yeah, but don’t go fucking taking it the wrong way. It was to shut you up,” he says, his voice sounding thicker as he looks away. It had gotten to him, too…

This is it, the moment to reject him. I look up at him, trying to force myself to say the words.

“I…”

Do it, Azura.

Leo frowns as he searches my face for something.

Reject him. Fuck, why is it so hard? It fucking hurts.

How had he had the strength to do so? And after marking me, too. He raises an eyebrow, waiting, but I can’t do it. His scent is overpowering me.

I am looking for an excuse… asking myself what I should do. When I thought of what I wanted in a mate, I always imagined someone who found me funny, someone who would be okay with me being crazy. The type to laugh at the shit I get up to. Not everyone finds their fated mate, and not everyone has it easy. But is rejection the answer, without even fighting for him? Am I just going to walk away?

Nikki, remember Nikki.

“I…”

“Yeah, I got the you part, what’s next?” He asks me in a husky voice. “What’s wrong? Are you so distracted you can’t even string two fucking words together?”

I frown, splaying my hands on his hard chest and shoving him back. The tingles of the bond ripple through us, and I think I hear his heart race.

“There’s nothing about you that distracts me. I just was thinking about something,” I scoff.

“Oh?”

“Aren’t you short on time? Let’s go.” He frowns as if suddenly remembering, and he turns away, taking out some keys from his pocket.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

He presses a button on his keys, and a sleek, matte black Mercedes Benz SUV’ lights flash. Damn, that is one sexy car…

“Wait, what do you mean let’s go? Aren’t you just showing me out? Or are you driving me to the pack border?”

“I’m dropping you wherever the fuck you want to go.”

My heart skips a beat. Three hours in the car with Leo? After that kiss? No. That is a bad idea.

But it’ll give you more time to reject him, or try to reject him…

No, just no.

“I can…” I trail off. It is safer… if Judah doesn’t see me leave, he won’t realise where I am.

“Get in,” he commands, watching me keenly as he pops open the trunk and takes my suitcase, which I had dropped on the ground at some point. Oh, fuck. His gaze flickers to my lips before he looks away, tossing the suitcase into the trunk and shutting it. “Are you getting in, or do you need me to get the fucking door for you?” He is composed once more, and I am trying my best not to savour how he had felt and tasted.

He’s Nikki’s.

I walk around to the passenger side and get in, admiring the luxurious, spacious interior. Now, this is the perfect car to have sex in. Fuck, don’t think of sex right now. Wait, did he and Nikki fuck in this car? Urgh, yup, probably. The thought of it stings, but I refuse to ponder on it. Right now, I feel like shit. Sure, as werewolves, if you meet and mark your mate, or fuck them, it is fine, as then any other relationship becomes meaningless, but Leo… he should have broken up with Nikki for it to be okay, but he didn’t, making me the side piece.

Reject him, Azura.

“Where to?” Leo asks as he starts the car up, and R my brother… I don’t want to see him. I don’t know what to say or what to do. I know his mom is alive. Is it wrong that I feel bitter that she even fucked my sperm donor when she knew he was mated? Urgh, I’m the same by kissing Leo back.

I hate myself for it. Does Leo really not have that much respect for Nikki? Will he be the type of mate to cheat on his mate, fated or chosen? My stomach churns, and I sigh heavily.

Reaching onto the ground, I grab my bag and take my phone out. First, I send Mama some pictures that Song had sent to me, saying I‘m enjoying Sweden. Fuck, I hate lying to her, and if she knew I went to Kia’s pack… well, she’ll find out soon, and she will be so damn pissed. I run my hand through my hair, yanking it by accident. I had forgotten that I had pinned it up. It is a fucking mess.

I skim through the girls’ messages, but I’m unable to focus enough to reply.

I begin removing my pins, letting my hair cascade down. I run my fingers through it, shaking my head to get the kinks out. The goddess gave me hair that barely ever needs combing, probably because she knew I would forget to comb it half the time. I sit back, feeling restless, and turn in my seat a little before crossing and uncrossing my legs.

“Can you not sit in one fucking position?” His husky, deep voice that seems to vibrate within me comes. I raise an eyebrow and cast him a scathing glare.

“I’m bored,” I growl.

“It’s not even been an hour.”

I look at him, thinking he hadn’t driven himself from the club, yet here he is sending me off. I’m sure if he wanted, he could have had his driver bring me. Ignoring his annoying remark, I observe him intently.

“So, why did you come to drop me off yourself?” I ask, wanting a distraction from my mind. He doesn’t reply for a few moments, as if pondering what to say as he licks his lips, his jaw clenching before he glances at me.

“You were on my pack grounds, so I will make sure you get to your destination safely.” I am about to give a snarky reply when his next words stop me. “We both know you’re running from something, right?” He looks at me. His eyes are sharp, and my stomach twists.

I look away, and this time I know there is no way out if he pushes me. I am stuck in this car with him, and although it felt spacious before, it suddenly feels too damn tight.

“Azura.”

Azura… like always, it catches my attention. He says it differently, emphasising the U...

“What?” I say, realising he is waiting for a reply.

“I’m waiting for a denial or an excuse,” he remarks coldly.

My phone beeps, and I thank the goddess for an excuse. I quickly unlock it, and my stomach twists sickeningly as I stare at the message that glares back at me.

‘It’s been a while. For a moment, I thought you were dead. By the way, nice ride… the question is, who is the driver? Or more like, how much do you care if he dies? You’re mine, and it’s time you come back to me like a good little pet or your new friend dies.’

This nightmare is far from over.