Chapter 17

Phoenix

I watch as my little wolf goes into some vegan restaurant with her ex-boyfriend. What the fuck is she doing here? I've seen the girl devour an entire state in less than five minutes, no way this was her choice.

If she were with me, I would've taken her the steakhouse down the road and let her order all the meat she desires. This cop doesn't know her, he can't take care of her like I can.

I realize the way I reacted that last night together was fucked up and hurt her feelings, but I don't know what happened. Some switch went off in my head that made me push her away before things went to far between us.

I was so fucking close to finally feeling her around my cock. By the way she was gripping my fist, I know she would have felt amazing. But I just couldn't do it.

I could feel myself wanting to take her roughly, let my primal instincts that over and ravish her. But that's not how I wanted our first time to go. But I've never taken my time having sex with someone. I've also never wanted more.

I realize that I want to change for her, but I don't know how to start. How do I learn how to love? How to cherish someone? What does that even look like?

My parents were mated, but I wouldn't say they were in love. Or at least not a healthy version of it. I don't even think my mother showed me the kind of love you see in movies and shit. I was never tucked in to bed or had her kiss me when I got injured. But I could still tell she loved me in her own way.

I just don't want that kind of distant love with Selene. I want us to mate and I can see myself having a family with her. As crazy as it sounds, it's all I can think about. This newfound desire makes me feel uneasy and evasive.

I watch my stepsister from across the street at a coffee shop. She emerges from the building with her ex, and he walks her to her car, his eyes on her ass the entire time.

I want to gorge his goddamn eyes out.

He kisses her and she closes her eyes, seemingly enjoying his gross lips on her. I feel myself on the verge of killing him, jealousy and hurt intertwining inside me.

Mine. Mine. Mine.

My bloods rushes in my ear, each beat echoing with the possessive words. There's no way she really wants that pathetic loser, right? She belongs to me.

After he drives off, our eyes lock for only a second before she gets into her car and leaves too.

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I find myself in front of my uncle's house, hoping for advice on my relationship with my stepsister. I walk in and find him in his home office, his desktop the only light in the room.

He glances up when he senses me. "Hey, Nix. As nice as it is to see you, I hope it isn't under bad circumstances."

I plop down in a chair. "It isn't bad, per se. I just needed some advice about something, but I can come back. You look busy," I mutter.

He chuckles. "I'm always busy, but never too busy for you." Getting up from his chair, he grabs his phone. "I'm ordering takeout. I'm sure you could eat as well."

I nod. "Sure."

Actually, I haven't been eating nor sleeping much because of this whole thing with Selene. Maybe he can see that.

After the Chinese takeout arrives, we sit in his office and eat, talking about random shit like my father and his upcoming campaign. My mind keeps drifting back to Selene and her ex-boyfriend. The way she smiled at him, the way he kept touching her. It burns me up inside.

Uncle Luke shoots me a knowing look. "What's bothering you, son?" he asks as he shoves a forkful of noodles into his mouth.

I decide to tell him everything that has been happening between me and my stepsister, without the intimate details of course. I make sure to emphasize that I in no way view her as a sister, and my goal from the beginning was to make her mine.

Luke listens intensively, being the ear that I need. Once I finish, he just stares at me for a long moment. "Hmm, so this stepsister of yours...do you love her?"

I shrug, the uncertainty gnawing at me again. "I don't know, but I want to. She's a good girl with a steady head on her shoulders, and she makes me feel some kind of way. My heart races when I'm around her, and when I touch her, my fingers tingle. There's always this sexual tension between us, where I can barely control myself..." I trail off when I realize that I'm rambling, which is something I never do.

He grins. "Sounds a hell of a lot like love to me. Have you told her how you feel?"

My jaw clenches. "No, every time things get too serious, I run away. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me," I grumble with a heavy sigh. "I think I really fucked up this time. She's dating her ex, and they were mates. What if he decides to mark her? I'll lose her forever."

"You know, I've done something similar, but I actually lost the woman I was in love with. Even Penny gave your father a hard time. You've got it honest, we Hunters have a habit of running off people we care about. Our parents were distant people, which in turn affected the way we showed love. I know Penny might've not been the best mother to you, but I can assure you she was a million times better than our folks. She truly loved you, Phoenix."

My chest warms. There's never been a doubt in my mind that my mother loved me.

Luke continues, "Now about this girl of yours, do shit that goes completely against your instincts. When you want to scare her away, instead hold her close. Show her affection, tell her how you feel. Make her feel special, like she's the most precious thing in the world to you."

I nod. "Thanks, Unc. I really needed that."

"No problem, son. I always appreciate your visits," he replies with a smile. "Now eat some of these dumplings before I devour them all."