Wounded Kiss (To Be Claimed 1)

It kills me to admit it but I don’t have any other ideas on how to get through to Lizzie. Maybe telling her will help; she can’t get any worse.

“And second,” he continues and Caleb’s authoritative voice brings my concentration back to him. “Stop thinking like that. I hate that you’re all pouty that we’re sharing our mate.” My brows knit together in anger.

“Get out of my head, Caleb.”

“You know I can’t.” At least he has the decency to sound remorseful. “We’ll make it work. Fate fucked us over for a reason, right?” He reaches out and pats me on the back, his black boot kicking off of the wall as he does. “Maybe we’re both too messed up for her on our own,” he adds and grins wickedly before continuing, “but together we’ll be whole for her.” I snort. Real romantic.

“The only problem with that theory is that we’re the same kind of messed up.”

He lets out a low chuckle. “No way, you’re way more fucked up than I am.” He smiles broadly at me and for the first time since I realized that we were going to have to share Lizzie, I don’t resent him. “It wouldn’t kill you to smile, you know?” And just like that, the urge to knock him out comes back. I shove him into the wall.

“I’m just screwing around.” I know he is, but it really might make a difference for Lizzie if I could lighten up some. Scary as hell seems to be the most common description of me from the humans. I decide to change the subject. “Vince back yet?”

“Not that I’ve heard.” I watch as Caleb’s fists clench. He usually doesn’t get his feathers all ruffled. Out of all of us, he’s the lighthearted smooth talker. Vince is in for a world of hurt when he gets back. Nearly everyone in the pack is pissed at him. He was supposed to have Lizzie’s background info ready for us. We already had Grace’s since Devin practically stalked her this past year, but we didn’t know Lizzie was ours until yesterday.

Instead, he hightailed it out of the offering and hasn’t been back since. He felt his mate in the audience but he’s going to have to wait until she’s offered, just like Devin had to. He can’t just take her. I have to believe he isn’t that stupid. It’s been nearly twelve hours since we last touched base with him, though. That’s entirely too long for him to not be up to something that’s going to fuck us over. He can’t be hanging around in human territory; he knows better than that. I shove down my thoughts before they get the best of me.

“So you got all of their stuff in there?”

“Yeah, it’s time to move them into their new home.”

“It’s weird.”

He shrugs at my comment. “It’s what Alpha wanted and I think it’ll help them adjust.”

Devin wanted the rooms set up exactly like their apartment. They have the entire east wing all to themselves. It has everything but a kitchen. Plus now they’ll each have their own bedroom and bathroom instead of sharing like they were before. Although, given their dependency, I’m not sure they’ll sleep apart for a while.

My wolf whines again, hating that fact.

“Honestly, it’s not a bad idea. It’ll give them a sense of home and safety.” His words hit me hard and I scowl. “I know, man.” He pats my back again, a firmer, harder pat that pisses me off but when he smirks, I smack him away. At least I know he’s feeling the same way. “One day we’ll be her home and safety.” He nods his head as if he’s reassuring himself. I can only hope he’s right.

Grace

I wake up in Devin’s arms. The Alpha. I breathe out deeply and snuggle into his warm hold, nuzzling into his hard chest. I sigh and feel my cheeks heat as I remember him taking me, shattering me. And then my eyes widen. I sit straight up. Something’s wrong. I shouldn’t be cuddled up to him as if he’s the oxygen I breathe.

My heat.

That’s what’s wrong with me. I begged him, literally begged him, to fuck me. The shame and guilt washing over me make my heart clench and I have to close my eyes. My fingers go numb and my stomach sinks. I can’t do this. Where’s Lizzie?

“Calm down, sweetheart.” Devin’s words are accompanied by his arms around me, holding me there in his lap and I wish I could simply push him away. He traps me gently, but still it’s against my will. He runs his fingers through my hair and pulls me back into his chest. I resist slightly but I want to lie against him. My body’s pulled to him and I can’t help it. It’s as though my body and mind are two separate entities; I don’t like the loss of control. It’s disturbing.