Page 55 of Just One Bite

Chapter Forty-Five

Olivia

The steam from the bathhouse is making me dizzy as I stare at the paned glass. The room is lined with opalescent tiles connected with various jewels of jade and sapphire. There are three hot tubs stacked on three levels with white pillars making space in the reverberant room.

Some are sneaking back to their rooms, and others are making out in the other pools.

I’d like to go back to my room, but knowing I won’t be able to sleep keeps me from retreating there to be alone.

Even if the bed has the softest linens I’ve ever laid my hands on.

This is fun for everyone who isn’t me—and Parker, if I had to guess.

These people probably looked forward to this for months and are treating it like a vacation or some reality TV show.

I need to tire myself out, which shouldn’t be hard, considering the only sleep I’ve gotten was on the ferry. And listening to bachelor alphas talk is bound to put me right to sleep.

Tara was with me for a while before hitting it off with one of the hunters and excusing herself.

So it’s just me. Alone. Surrounded by what I’m assuming are all very powerful alphas.

They pushed the other guys from their spots without having to say a word.

Parker waits on the other end of the tub.

Too far away to touch. He hasn’t moved an inch.

He’s leaned back with his arms resting on the sides. I hate that he isn’t smiling.

His words are still running in my mind. What if Parker wins and we do have the opportunity to complete the mating bond?

Should I? Is it selfish to want that still, knowing what I know now?

What happens when my secret vow is complete?

Will whoever this is let us be together?

What if there’s just another hurdle to get through?

“So, what do you like to do?” one of them asks. He’s got fuchsia irises and long black hair. I wish Emma was here to take the brunt of the conversation. Only, the thought of my sister getting marked by a random alpha werewolf is my definition of a nightmare.

“I dance. I’m a ballerina.”

He smiles, and it’s not creepy, but I can feel Parker’s eyes on me.

“Wow. That’s so elegant. I’d love to watch.”

Trying to be pleasant, I force a smile. The person threatening me told me that I need to play along and mingle with the other alphas. But most men get bored of conversation of dance quickly. They don’t take it seriously.

“I bet you dance beautifully.”

That’s what they see. Some little dainty woman dancing in frilly clothes. If only they saw my bleeding feet or how many hours I pour into it every day. How many dates I’d willingly miss. The tears.

Parker’s gaze is even heavier. He’s seen all those things.

The guys are a comfortable distance from me. Parker’s presence makes me feel safe enough to let my shoulders sink into the water. The water has healing salts and is soothing the lingering aches in my body.

“What do you do?” I ask.

“I’m from Axeleth Academy. Not quite as prestigious as Doxlothia but beautiful and surrounded by water. I’m learning to be a fund manager for the city.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“It’s not. You’re far more interesting. You could come hang out, you know? It’s practically a beach paradise.”

He inches closer. It’s so minuscule but enough for our legs to touch. For the first time, Parker’s gaze moves to the man beside me, and he tilts his head, unblinking—a silent warning.

He must feel the shift because he leans away from me with a smirk.

“Is he boring you with his riveting conversation on funds and capital?” Another man comes up on my left.

“No. ”

“Name’s Garrik. Parker had lots of lovely things to say about you at the dinner table.”

Parker’s name sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m sure he did. He’s very flattering.”

Garrik stares at Parker’s mark on my neck. They all see it, but it doesn’t seem to bother any of them.

“My little sister wants to be a ballerina. She loves you. If she knew I was talking to you, she’d want an autograph.”

Garrik’s got charcoal eyes and dark hair with loose curls to match. He runs his wet hands through it to tame it, showing me the scars of claw marks on his forearm.

“She sounds sweet.”

“She’s six. She’s a terror. But I told her I may be able to get her that autograph in person.”

My whole body heats. I know what he means.

If he marks me and I become his mate, he’s likely got a grand house he’d love me to be in.

All I can think of is how much my heart would ache being away from Parker.

I’ll never be able to sleep again and have to get a potion for it.

But Parker would be somewhere across the world playing in the pro league, winning.

I’m sure of it. Maybe I’m making a terrible choice.

I’m ruining everything. I should have just told him when I’d gotten the file and avoided this madness.

Why didn’t I at least try to do this together without running away to fix it on my own? But that’s what I do apparently.

That sinking anxiety hits my gut again, and I pinch my arm to snap myself out of it.

I’m not having fun, and I think it’s really obvious.

If they notice, they don’t show it. All I want to do is retreat to my room and collapse into my bed for a good cry so I’m able to compose myself better.

I’m having a hard time holding a smile on my face, and that’s usually my sign to retreat, but their conversation isn’t leaving much room.

I’m tired. I’m hot. My head is pounding as the hot water sucks all the hydration from my body.

Garrik keeps saying things in an attempt to make me smile or laugh, and I have to fake it. In any other circumstance, I’d have no problem telling him to go away. I wish everyone would just leave me alone to my misery of the mess I’ve caused .

“Can we help you, Owens?”

“Nope.” Parker swings his head slowly, his arms out and his stance wide. I’ve never seen him so deadpan and utterly out of emotion.

I meet his gaze, wishing he could read my mind. Help me. I want to leave.

“You’re boring her,” Parker says.

“You know that, huh?” the one with fuchsia eyes says; I never got his name. Or maybe he told me and I wasn’t listening.

“You can continue your conversation tomorrow. She’s tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Are you going to make us go?” Garrik says with a smirk.

“Uh-huh,” Parker says, like they’re boring him.

They hold each other’s attention. Each taking up an equal amount of space. I almost think they’re going to fight, though Parker never flinches. His breaths are even. He’s confident.

“Fine. I’ll leave you for tonight.”

The others follow his retreat for a towel.

I gasp as Garrik leans in. “But I’d run fast if I were you … Rabbit.”

Rabbit. Does he know about the secret? Did Aster and Barrett send him here for me?

Parker’s clenching his fist, with his lips resting on the tops of his knuckles. Once they leave, it’s just Parker and me and the mellow sound of water movement around us. The last of the other couples in the other pools retreat too. It must be later than I thought.

In seconds, he’s towering over me, with water dripping from his body. My gaze does a slow crawl from his navel to his glistening abs, steam rolling off him in waves.

“You know, we could complete the bond now … since you’re so eager to be a werewolf mate. Then we can be done with this.”

He steps between my legs, only slightly brushing my skin, and I avert my eyes but lean into the caress of his lips at my jaw. It’s so good. I miss his smell even though now he smells like healing salts.

“Run away together to the city and leave all this behind.”

“I have to go through with The Hunt. That’s the only way this ends.”

“Fine.” He nudges my legs farther apart and tugs up my chin up. “But just know, all these guys are dreaming of tasting you in all the ways I already have. ”

It’s more demanding than I’m used to, though I’m not putting up much of a fight.

His lips move to the place that’s prickly and heavy from Garrik’s proximity. “They want you in their bed.”

His kisses breathe life into my skin. Then all I can think about is need. How badly I want him in all ways you could want a person. I will the words to come to my lips. To tell him everything and collapse into him. My body is aching for him, throbbing with need. Is it the bond tying us together?

“They fantasize about taking you to dinner, then taking you home.” He sucks at the skin of my neck, just above his mark.

It’s always been real to me. But this is—

I gasp from the pressure of him as he places a knee between my thighs. The way he nibbles at me with desire. He’s all wet, glistening muscle, and my mate .

“Parker,” I whisper.

In a blink, his lips are at my ear. “And they’re going to keep dreaming.”

He kisses down my neck and pins me with his arms on either side of me.

“Do—” I can’t say the words. I can’t tell him to stop because I can’t imagine moving without him touching me.

“Yes?” He runs a finger under the strap of my bathing suit and watches it fall before sucking the skin on my shoulder. A finger runs down the center of my chest. “Say the words. Tell me to stop.”

I shake my head. “Don’t stop.”

“You know it’s only been two days since I last touched you like this. Do you miss me already?” He thumbs over my hardened nipples, licking his bottom lips while wearing a hungry smirk. “I can promise no one else will feel the same.”

There’s frustration in his touch. The way he holds me in place with one arm and teases me with the other. It’s firm and punishing.

“This is a compromising position for you, baby. How do you think they’ll feel seeing you like this?”

He kisses my collarbone, and my fingers tug in his hair while my head falls back. “Head back, legs open, whispering my name …”