Page 6 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

They walked farther from the pack grounds until they finally reached a small clearing.

“We are here,” he affirmed, and let go of her hand.

He prompted her to go in first and followed right behind her. A canopy of vines hung overhead. She swept them aside and stepped through, finally coming into view with a Garden. She gasped. The sight in front of her was…breathtaking.

Athena stepped into the clearing, flowers bursting with colors too vivid for nature. A towering tree loomed at the center, its branches flickering with fireflies that danced across the leaves, casting a soft warmth over the scene. Two blankets lay spread on the clipped grass beneath, inviting and perfect. Her throat tightened, eyes stinging as the beauty hit her hard.

“Marcus, this is…” She faltered, words catching, her voice barely a whisper. His gesture cracked her guard, stirring feelings she’d been trying to ignore.

“Thank you,” she finally said.

She turned to look at him. “Thank you. For this, and for the other time… I, you know…You’re the only one who stands up for me.”

She stared into his eyes, then turned around to face the view again, unable to hold his gaze when she felt his arm encircle her waist from behind. Her heart thumped.

“You know…” he breathed against her neck, pulling her close, “I meant every word I said earlier.”

His voice dropped lower. “You’re beautiful, Athena.”

Athena’s heart raced, her mind struggling to process his words.

“Marcus…” Her breath hitched, butterflies pooling at the bottom of her belly.

“It hurts me when they hurt you,” he whispered, his voice velvety as he breathed against her neck.

He was close, so close.

He turned her to face him, with one hand still around her waist, pulling her to him as his body pressed against hers.

“Allow me to apologize.” And nothing could have prepared her for the next thing he did.

He kissed her.

Marcus Vale was kissing her. It was just how she always imagined it. Sweet and soft.

When he pulled back, his gaze searched hers as though to affirm she wanted him to continue.

She didn’t want him to stop.

When she didn’t protest, he dipped his jaw lower again and thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth.

She clung to him, her fingers threaded through his hair as he led her deeper inside the garden, not breaking their kiss.

Moon. She was on fire.

His lips left hers as he trailed her skin from her lips down to her neck and collarbones with his mouth. His hand slowly glided from her waist and undid the button of her jeans at the front.

She gasped.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

Did she?

This was insane. Everything about what they were doing was wrong. He was the future Alpha, and she was a witch. But right now, his hands on her skin and his eyes gleaming with the same desire that clouded her judgment, made it difficult to think about what was wrong and anything other than what she wanted. She wanted Him.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered, afraid the moment would end if she raised her voice any louder.

He undressed her, slowly, his eyes never leaving her, seemingly to assure her that he would never do anything she didn’t want. She bit her lips in anticipation.