Page 69 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

Athena sat at the edge of the bed, her head resting beside him. Strands of her hair spilled across her face, her features softened by sleep and exhaustion.

It wasn’t a dream. She had been here the whole time. Healing him. Watching over him.

Her cheek was pillowed on his hand.

He didn’t move.

Something fierce and possessive surged through him at the sight. His wolf stirred, pacing inside him, restless and hungry.

She was beautiful.

He stared deeper at her face, as if he were memorizing it.

And then her lashes fluttered. She blinked up at him, and the moment cracked wide open.

“You’re awake,” she breathed, bolting upright, her hand instantly pressing to his forehead.

“How are you feeling? Are you cold? Does it still hurt anywhere? Are you—”

“Athena—” he cut her off gently, catching her wrist. The concern in her eyes undid him.

“I’m fine,” he said, flexing slightly to show her. “See?”

She exhaled in relief as her shoulders dropped.

“You saved my life. Again.” His voice was low.

“We’re even now,” she murmured, but her words lacked conviction.

He reached up, brushing her hair behind her ear. His hand lingered, fingertips grazing her cheek.

“I don’t want to be even with you, Athena.” His voice had turned rough and tender. His gaze dropped to her lips.

She looked at him, her eyes wary, but didn’t pull away.

“Then what do you want?” she whispered against his face.

Marcus didn’t answer with words.

His mouth lowered to her collarbone, where he pressed slow, heated kisses. She gasped as he grazed the sensitive skin with his teeth, just enough to make her shudder.

“I’ve wanted this,” he confessed between kisses.

“I’ve wanted you again for so long, Athena.”

“Marcus…”

Her voice broke, but she didn’t resist. Her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer, grounding herself in him as her body pressed flush against his.

That was all the permission he needed.

Their lips met in a kiss that was anything but soft. It was hungry, desperate—a collision of all the feelings they had buried for too long.

Athena melted into him with a sigh. Her hands traced the contours of his chest, his shoulders, as if to convince herself he was really there. Her magic sparked faintly again—white and warm—as it tangled with his wolf’s energy, making the air between them hum.

She arched into his touch. Athena melted into him with a sigh, her hands sliding up his chest to tangle in his hair. Her magic sparked between them, weaving through his veins like liquid sunlight. She arched against him, her body seeking more as she kissed him back with equal fervor.

Marcus didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop. Not when she arched into his touch. Athena kissed him back like she was drowning. Her hands fisted around his hair, pulling him closer.

Fuck, there was no better feeling than this.