Chapter 20

Selene

I wake up feeling sick as hell. I can tell my heat has finally come, and it's going to be a long week of pure torture. Thanks to my suppressant shots I take twice a year, male wolves won't be trying to bang down my door, but that doesn't stop me from being horny and feeling like shit because I'm not being fucked.

My entire body feels like it's on fire, every nerve ending buzzing with unbearable heat. I groan out in pain, clutching my stomach. Yeah, I'm definitely not going to work today. I grab my phone to text my supervisor, but Phoenix appears in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that insufferable smirk on his face.

"Hey, little wolf. How are you feeling?" he asks, concern lacing his words, but there's an edge to his voice that sends a shiver down my spine.

When did his voice get so goddamn sexy?

His nostrils flare, and I can tell he can smell it. That I'm ripe for the taking.

"There are some pain meds and orange juice on the nightstand," he says calmly, tilting his head towards them. "I also called and told your supervisor you're not coming in for a few days."

I blush, remembering last night when he carried me to bed naked. He saw all of my body, yet he never attempted to touch me sexually. Things feel different with him, but I can't tell why.

"Thanks," I murmur, putting the pills in my mouth and using the orange juice to swallow them.

He smiles, almost sweetly. "Hopefully, that makes you feel better and conceals your scent a bit more."

I bite my lip, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "It's not painful for you, is it?" I ask, concern evident in my voice.

He shakes his head, his eyes darkening to an oxford blue. "No, your scent is tempting, it always is, but the suppressants help. You won't have to worry about me fucking you halfway to death, even if I'm sure that's what you want right now," he answers teasingly.

I scoff, trying to ignore the way his words make my body react. "You wish."

Though, he's right. My mind may be in control, but my body isn't. It craves his touch, his taste, his cock. I want nothing more than to rub my body all over his and then beg him to fuck me senseless.

There's something seriously fucked up about that.

It only takes a few minutes for the pills to kick in and my pain to dull, although my pussy continues to throb, begging for relief.

"Are you hungry, little wolf?" Phoenix asks, leaning against the door while he studies me with those piercing blue eyes.

"Sure," I mutter, my voice still shaky. "But I can order Chipotle or something."

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nah. I have something better for you. Just wait here for me, okay? It's almost done."

I furrow my brow, confused. "What's almost done?"

"Just stay in bed. I'll be right back," he says sternly, leaning no room for argument.

Minutes later, he returns with a bowl of homemade soup, the aroma wafting through the room and making my stomach growl. I'm not sure if it's just because I'm out of it, but I notice for the first time that he's not wearing his usual attire. Instead, he's dressed in a black suit, the fabric clinging to his muscular frame in all the right places. He looks fucking breathtaking, so breathtaking any coherent words evade me.

My mouth gapes open as he places the bowl down beside me.

"Cat got your tongue?" he teases, giving me a wicked smirk.

I blush, realizing that I was shamelessly staring at him. "U-Uh, where are you going?" I manage to force out.

"Attending our father's Alpha king election campaign," he says with an unfriendly smile. "You know, as his bodyguard, not his son. I'm sure he would've loved if you came though, but I told him it wouldn't be a good idea. Of course, I left out the fact that I would kill any man there that so much as breathed the same air as you."

I laugh, ignoring that last part, where he sounds possessive and unhinged. "Sorry I can't be there to suffer with you. I would say it was karma if I wasn't feeling like shit right now. You didn't attend that stupid banquet with us."

He shakes his head, smiling. "That's okay, I like you better in the house. I can't protect both of you, and I'd choose you over him any day."

His words warm my heart, but it also leaves me confused at the same time. Unlike when we first met, he's flirting with me, but he's actually sweet, and doesn't sound like a horny asshole.

I taste the soup and groan. "Holy shit, this is good!" I exclaim, unable to contain my surprise.

"I'm glad. I made it specifically for you, there's a whole pot with your name on it."

"Like...from a can?"

"No. I said "made", Selene. Not dumped out of a can and heated up," he says, feigning annoyance as he rolls his beautiful eyes.

"Wow, I never thought someone like you could cook," I say aloud, although I hope it doesn't offend him. I'm just flabbergasted, that's all.

He only chuckles. "Learned how to in the training academy when all they fed us was shit."

Well, color me fucking impressed.

"You seem surprised. You know, if we were married, I'd take care of you like this all the time," he teases with a wink.

My heart races. If we were married.

As I replay his words in my mind over and over again, he takes me by surprise by planting a kiss on my forehead. "I'll be back, my little wolf. If you get up from this bed other than go to the bathroom, I will find out and punish you. Got it?"

He doesn't wait for me to respond before he leaves, abandoning me to dwell on my inner turmoil.

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The next morning, feeling somewhat better, I walk past Phoenix's room to find it empty, all of his personal items gone. My heart sinks at the sight of the bare room. My mom had told me that Philip was elected Alpha King last night, so maybe Phoenix was forced to move to the palace. Where else could be have gone?

That means we won't live together anymore, and we will rarely see each other. I doubt he will have time to stalk me when he's busy protecting the Alpha King. The thought of not having him around, despite our complicated relationship, fills me with an unexpected sense of loss.

I pause in the doorway, staring at the space where Phoenix's scent lingers. It feels as if he's taken a part of me with him. I know that sounds dramatic, but I fucking miss him already.

My thoughts are interrupted by my phone buzzing. It's a text from Zack: Hey, don't forget our date tonight. Want to make you some amazing vegan sushi.

I nearly vomit in my mouth. I don't even like sushi, but I should be grateful that he's putting in effort. Yet, I can't shake the feeling of dread that washes over me. The idea of spending the evening with Zack feels wrong. I secretly wish I was going on a date with my stepbrother instead.

Phoenix

As I unpack my shit in my new room at the palace, it feels like there's a hole in my chest, a hole only my little wolf can fill. After my father was elected as Alpha King, he requested that I move immediately. So I packed and snuck into my sister's room last night to say goodbye. There was no way I would wake her, so I just held her while she slept, stroking her hair as I confessed my true feelings to her. Feelings I have yet to grow the balls to say to her while she's awake.

I told her that I was in love with her. That I can never see myself being with another woman. That she's fucking it for me. I want to take care of her, fill her with my pups, and when I'm Alpha of the Nightfang pack, she will be my Luna.

I've never wanted something to happen so badly in my life.

So, I hope she's well aware that me moving out is not the end of our relationship.

I smirk to myself. Oh no, my little wolf. We're just getting started.