Chapter 16

Selene

After my stepbrother rejected me, I couldn't take his confusing shit anymore, so I started dating my ex-mate. He's sweet, even sexier than when we were together the first time. He makes my legs weak, and it's nice that he can still effect me that way even when we're no longer mates.

For lunch, he takes me to a vegan burger restaurant. I am in no way a vegan, but I agreed to go for him. Last time, I feel like we didn't have enough give and take in our relationship, and after learning that he's a vegan now, I want to be a more supportive partner.

When our burgers arrive, we both thank the waitress and begin to eat. I take a bite or my burger, forcing it down, even though the smell of it makes me want to gag.

Zack grins at me. "Tastes better than meat, right?"

I smile and nod. "Yep, so good."

So fucking not.

I'd rather run into the forest and eat a deer raw than eat whatever this is. By the displeased growl in my head, my wolf agrees. I'll likely be requesting steak for dinner tonight.

I force myself to eat at least half the burger before I place it back down on the plate and gulp down my glass of lemonade to wash away the revolting taste. "So, what have you been up to, you know, since I left the pack?" I ask, gazing into his dreamy, green eyes.

"Uh, well, the police academy was hard, but my mom and dad kept me going. My dad still works at the pack hospital, and my mom has turned her love of baking into a business. Oh, and believe it or not, my sister just graduated high school and she's going to college in a few months."

I gasp. "Seriously? I feel like she was just a baby."

Maybe it's because I haven't seen her in five years.

He nods. "I know, I do too. She even has a mate now, a guy named Brad. I don't particularly like him, but he makes her happy and they're going to college together."

I smile. "I'm glad she has someone to make her happy."

His expression shifts, a mixture between guilt and sadness. Before I can ask what's wrong, he speaks up. "I really am sorry for my immature rejection, Selene. We had it all, and I threw it all away for no reason." He grabs my hand across the table, looking at me intently. "I want us to start over. Please give me another chance as your mate."

I'm surprised by his pleading, but I manage to keep my expression neutral. We've been talking about for almost two weeks, now he wants to work on us being mates again? The only way to fix the mate bond is if he bites me, and then we'll be mated for life.

Do I actually want that? With him?

No.

But I wonder if maybe I should want it. Phoenix has made it obvious that he doesn't want me, so why do I keep holding onto the hope that he will magically change his mind? It has been two weeks and he hasn't even spoken to me.

I need to move on with my life, just like he has. Maybe once I get over Phoenix, I'll be able to reconnect with my ex-mate and rekindle the feelings I once had for him.

"I'm not ready to be marked, but we can use labels if you want," I tell him, despite the unease churning in my stomach.

Zack smiles and kisses my hand. "That makes me so happy. Thank you, Selly."

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After a pleasant afternoon of reconnecting, he walks me to my car in the front of the restaurant before he heads off to work. Nervously running his hands through his hair, he asks, "Can I kiss you goodbye? It's been years since I've tasted your lips. It would hold me over until we see each other again."

"Sure," I reply softly.

He plants a gentle and sweet kiss on my lips. It's nice, but nothing like the way Phoenix kisses me. Him and Phoenix are like ice and fire, night versus day, a teddy bear versus a rottweiler.

I close my eyes, imagining he's my stepbrother. It's wrong, but my craving for him takes over. I take over, kissing Zack with urgency, with fervor. Wanting to feel a fraction of the way I do when Phoenix touches me.

Zack pulls away with a chuckle, and my eyes snap open. "Wow, you're a bit feistier than I remember. I like that," he murmurs, amusement lacing his words.

Damn it. It didn't work.

I grab his shirts in my hand, desperation thrumming through my veins. "Why don't we have a quickie or something in your car?" I suggest, biting my lip.

Anything to get my stepbrother out of my head.

"Can't, Selly. Don't want to get arrested for public indecency. Police officers already get a bad rap, I'm not above the law just because of my job."

Feeling disappointed, I mutter, "Oh, I understand."

Though, I feel like Phoenix would have taken me up on the offer. You know, if things were different between us.

"What about Wednesday night? Maybe we could go back to my place after dinner? There's a new Italian restaurant I want to take you to too," he suggests with a smile.

"Sure," I answer, smiling back at him.

"Cool. It's a date." Zack kisses me on the forehead and gets in his cruiser, leaving me standing next to my car.

After he leaves, I notice a familiar motorcycle across the street. My heart stutters and my eyes meet his icy, blue ones. Dressed in jeans, a leather jacket, and black boots, he's standing, leaning against his bike with his arms folded, exuding that his usual smug, asshole demeanor.

I know he saw the entire thing. With his wolf hearing, he may have even heard it.

But why should I care?

I didn't tell him to keep stalking me like a creep.

I roll my eyes, and climb into my car.