Chapter 14

Phoenix

I usually skip family dinners, but tonight I make an exception for my dear stepsister. I want to know who she was talking to, most importantly, why. Dad's been locked up in his office since the police officer spoke to him, so it's just me, my little wolf, and her mom.

Sitting across from Selene, she deliberately avoids my gaze, but I know she can feel me staring at her.

"So, how was everyone's day?" Christina asks, looking around the table with a smile. She must be pretty happy right now that we're playing fake family, and even I'm participating in this bullshit.

I answer with a nonchalant shrug.

"Mine was good," Selene replies softly, still attempting her best to ignore me.

"Oh, was it?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes snap to mine, startled that I'm speaking to her in front of her mom. "I saw you with a policeman earlier. You didn't encounter any trouble with him?"

Her eyes widen as she bites her lip. "Uh, no. Actually, that was my ex-mate."

"Your ex-mate?" I repeat, repressing the pure rage surging through me.

If he's the one who rejected her, is he having regrets or some shit? Is he trying to win her back after hurting her? I heard mate rejection is one of the worse pains that werewolves feel, but he didn't seem to care about that. Why the fuck has he come back?

Ex-mate or not, he had his chance and he blew it.

She's mine now.

Christina's expression fills with curiosity. "Ooh, Zack was here? What did he want?" she asks.

"Well, he originally came to speak with Philip, but we got to talking a little. He apologized for rejecting me the way he did, and then he asked me to dinner. I accepted, but I'm still unsure if I should trust him or not. He seems to be more mature than he was five years ago, more of a gentleman. I know our wolves could still reconnect if he marks me, but I have yet to discover if I should give him another chance or not."

"You know, young love is always full of regrets," her mom begins. "And now that you guys are all grown up, it's good to make up for those regrets. If you like him, you and him have my blessing to continue dating."

Selene smiles faintly. "Thanks Mom. Of course, I still like him and care about him, but I want to take things slow. I don't want to end up getting hurt again."

Christina nods. "That's a good idea. If it's meant to be, it will be. If not, you'll find your second-chance mate like Philip and I did."

That's news to me. I didn't know she was Dad's second-chance mate; I thought he just chose her as his new trophy wife. But it makes sense now how he's able to manipulate her so easily.

She can't help it. Just like Mom couldn't.

Selene shrugs. "We'll see. Zack really does look really sexy in a police uniform."

My wolf surges forward, but I push him back before Christina can see my eyes. If that's how my little wolf wants to play, I'll mate her eat her fucking words.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. "You should be careful, Selene," I say, my voice dripping with faux concern. "People change, but their true nature doesn't. Remember why he rejected you in the first place."

She glares at me. "I can make decisions for myself," she grits out.

"Just looking out for you, little sis," I reply, leaning back with a smug smile. "Wouldn't want to see you get hurt again by some guy who obviously doesn't deserve you."

She huffs, but I can practically feel the retort that was about to come out of her mouth.

"Aww, I love that," Christina says, her eyes glimmering with emotion. "You guys have obviously been working on bonding. I'm very proud of both of you."

Yeah, we've been bonding all right.

And I think we'll be doing a little bit more of that tonight.

Selene

After dinner, I retreat to my room for the night. Phoenix was acting weirder than usual tonight, almost like he was jealous. I can't fathom, especially since he could've had me last night, but he turned me down for no reason. So fuck him.

Now, he'll just have to deal with the fact that Zack and I might rekindle our relationship. Of course, that's only if I see that Zack has genuinely changed and this isn't some temporary thing.

Suddenly, Phoenix barges into my room and clicks the door locked behind him, his eyes silver and filled with a predatory gleam.

My eyes widen. "Phoenix, what are you-"

He grabs my ankles and yanks me down to the edge of the bed, covering me with his muscular body. I barely have time to react before his lips crush mine, devouring me. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer.

"What about our parents?" I ask as he kisses down my neck to my sweet spot.

"Your mom went to bed and my dad left. That means we can have a little chat," he purrs against my skin, his voice low and threatening.

"Chat about what?" I squeak.

He pulls back and his face is twisted in anger. "About your fucking ex. You're not allowed to see him again. I don't even want to hear his name," he growls.

I scoff. "You can't dictate that, Phoenix. You're just my stepbrother and we're not together," I retort.

He grabs my jaw firmly, forcing me to look at him. "Who cares, you still belong to me."

"That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works," I reply, the frustration and anger evident in my voice.

He pushes my underwear aside and finds my clit with his fingers. I gasp, bucking my hips against his hand. "Sorry to tell you, little wolf, but that's how it will work in my world. When I say you're mine, you're mine," he whispers in my ear. "And unless you want someone to get hurt, I suggest telling him to stay away."

What? He's being ridiculous right now. He ignored me all day, and now he's in my bed, touching me like my pussy belongs to him.

"Get off of me, Phoenix!" I snap, trying to push his hand away, but he only chuckles, grabbing both of my wrists and pinning them above my head as he continues to rub my clit in small, fast circles like the expert he is.

"Holy shit!" I throw my head back, moaning loudly as waves of pleasure roll over me. For such a selfish asshole, he sure knows how to use his fingers to put me under his spell.

"Please, Phoenix," I whisper, pleading for the release I know his cock can bring.

"What do you want? Say it," he growls, applying more pressure to my clit.

I meet his gaze, the need in my voice undeniable. "I want you to fuck me," I answer bluntly.

His eyes darken, and he chuckles. "First, tell me who made you this wet. Me or your pathetic excuse for an ex."

I stare into his silver eyes, giving him the answer I know he wants. "You."