Page 18 of The Alpha’s Bound Mate

Chapter 18

-Naomi-

W hile I sensed there was something intriguing about Alpha Reese, I felt reluctant to explore it. The sensations were overwhelming yet alluring. However, I couldn’t ignore the treatment I had already endured, nor the stares fueled by rumors spreading through the pack. Nothing stayed secret for long, and I didn’t want a target on my back. So I returned to work, but the room was thick with tension, and people seemed determined to make my job harder, bumping into me at every turn.

As it happened for the fifth time, I stood with a hot bowl of soup, and its contents spilled as I poured. I hissed, dropping the bowl, which shattered on the ground. No one offered to help. They merely laughed at my misfortune. I hurried to cool the burn with cold water, but burns were difficult to heal, akin to being touched by fire. Despite my efforts to rinse it, a vivid red color spread, causing my hand to shake with pain. Was this to be my life now? Constant reminders of my place because I dared to reach too high? But I wasn’t reaching!

I sighed, shaking my head and trying to hold back tears as I forced myself to ignore the pain and clean up. Most had left me alone by then, and when I finally retired for the night, it was with a heavy heart. Thankfully, on my way home, someone called out to me. I turned to see Thomas approaching with a smile.

“Hey, heading home too?” he questioned.

“Yeah, you?” I inquired.

“Yes, want to walk together?”

I nodded, and we walked beside each other. However, as we strolled, Thomas noticed my wrapped-up hand.

“What’s that?” he questioned.

“Oh, I spilled hot soup all over myself. Clumsy,” I commented, though he didn’t seem convinced.

“They’re giving you a hard time, aren’t they?” he asked.

I sighed, lowering my head, trying to hold back tears. “I… didn’t ask for this.”

“No, I know, but what do you think is happening?”

“I don’t know, but I would very much like for it to stop,” I whispered, my eyes fixed on the ground.

Thomas reached out, placing a soothing hand on my back. I turned to him with a grateful smile, thankful for the support.

“Maybe it will disappear on its own?” he suggested.

I appreciated his optimism. It gave me a glimmer of hope, but I couldn’t confess to him how drawn I had been to Alpha Reese, and how every touch and moment we spent together seemed to intensify everything.

“Maybe,” I murmured.

“You just need to hold out.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, and we continued walking together, enjoying the sun’s gentle descent as he escorted me home.

“Do you need help in there?” he questioned, aware of the state of my little place.

“No, strangers make her more confused and sadder,” I explained.

“I see.”

“But thank you for bringing me here,” I said.

“We’re still friends even if you’re our second Luna,” he teased, making me roll my eyes.

“Oh, please.”

“What? You might be,” he pointed out.

“I wouldn’t know anything about being Luna.”

“Sometimes Alphas do find their mates in lower-ranking wolves.”

“That’s so rare!” I exclaimed.

“I know, but sometimes it’s because the lower-ranking one is able to bring something to the table that is an aid to the Alpha, something he needs.”

“Oh, and I bring that?” I teased.

“I could see it.”

“Please, enlighten me with your wisdom,” I chuckled.

He continued to smile, then shrugged a bit. “Maybe it’s not just for the Alpha, but for the pack too. You’re kind, respectful, and open.”

“I think you can find that in many people.”

“But maybe it needs to be you,” he suggested.

“I don’t really see myself as a leader.”

“Then maybe you should start to,” he said.

I felt a bit confused by his behavior. Why was he suddenly pushing me in that direction? But maybe he hoped to help in any way he could. I felt grateful for that. Wanting to show him my gratitude, I wrapped my arms around him and brought him closer, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Don’t thank me. Just survive this whole ordeal.”

I chuckled. “I will try.”

We bid each other goodnight before I entered the house. Out of habit, I called my mother’s name before ensuring she ate a little. Her condition remained unchanged, as expected. As I went to shower, my thoughts drifted back to my day with Alpha Reese. I had always longed for a longer moment with him, a chance for a real conversation, but now I found myself questioning if my dream had been more perilous than I realized. It seemed to bring little good with it. However, as I replayed the meeting in my mind, I recalled the arousing sensation from merely touching him, and a throbbing began in my legs. I tried to ignore it, but it only intensified as I attempted to dispel the memory of Alpha Reese.

“What’s happening?” I murmured.

Perhaps I was experiencing a form of Moon Sickness, but it appeared to be triggered solely by Alpha Reese. Or was this how my fascinations worked? Did they lead me to this state of agony? I couldn’t ignore the sensation and brought my hand between my legs, touching myself and feeling how wet I had become with my own warm slick.

I groaned, placing my other hand over my mouth as images of Alpha Reese filled my head. I hadn’t anticipated how quickly the feeling within me would rise. It wasn’t the first time he dominated my thoughts, but this time I tumbled over the edge with such speed that I simply dropped my hand, letting a tiny scream fill the room. I pressed harder, shaking and convulsing as I thought of him, feeling my entire body release in the most powerful orgasm I had ever drawn from my body.

However, as I slowly came down and rinsed myself clean, I didn’t feel satisfied. I felt hungrier. How was that possible? A quick release often dispelled the need, but this time it grew fiercer. I groaned, not wanting to entertain the feeling again if it wasn’t going to help.

“This is too weird,” I murmured.

I agree , my wolf said.

“And you!” I called out.

What? she asked.

“Could you make a decision regarding the Alpha?” I snapped.

But I don’t know what’s happening!

“Do you not feel any need to claim or reject?”

I feel… confused.

“That’s not helping!” I stated.

You think I enjoy this situation. His wolf is even trying to connect with me!

“And what is he doing?” I questioned.

Just trying to reach out to me. He seemed to enjoy the idea of us running together.

“And do you want to?”

Um…

“You said you had enough self-control!” I accused.

I do!

“Do you? So you wouldn’t enjoy it if we ran together and he caught you before getting on top of you and… doing things.”

She opened her mouth to answer, only for me to feel her own desire rise.

“Oh, you filthy wolf,” I snapped.

I didn’t say anything! she shot back.

“I felt it!”

I don’t know what’s happening!

“Then start figuring it out!” I replied angrily, turning off the water and hating every bit of this day.