Wounded Kiss (To Be Claimed 1)

Devin

I place featherlight kisses along Grace’s bare neck as she sits perched on the granite countertop of the large island in the center of the kitchen. I don’t want to let go of her, but I know she’s dying to get back to Lizzie. I breathe out deep and resign myself to feeding her and then taking her to her room. I’m vaguely aware of Dom’s and Caleb’s anxiety. They must be going to Lizzie, which means our mates’ room is set up.

Dom’s feelings are more of a painful anxiousness whereas Caleb’s are hopeful but tinged with apprehension. I block them out. They don’t need me interfering. They’d better come up with a plan soon to tell her that she’s their mate. I don’t think I can wait like I’d planned to. Keeping this from her is tearing me up inside. It’s easy to see when she’s overthinking it all. I know the moment I explain it to Grace, everything will fall into place for her. Our bond is already strong, as it should be between mates, but she’s still holding back and that’s a problem I’m unwilling to allow to go on much longer.

She pulls my shirt down her thighs, covering herself from me, and glances around the large kitchen. I could tell she was shocked by how modern her new home is. She probably expected to live in some shack in the woods. I reach for the cheese and butter in the fridge. After spending a year watching her, I know she makes grilled cheese whenever she’s stressed. I made sure to stock up on groceries before we went to the offering. I want her to indulge in anything that will offer her comfort. Once she’s settled, she’ll have all the comfort she’s always wanted.

I set the ingredients by the stove and glance back at her as I reach for a pan. She avoids my gaze and bites her lip, nervously looking around the room again. Her eyes linger on the doorway to the hall. Doubt filters into my mind each time her attention focuses on an escape route. I swear to God if she runs from me again, I’ll lose my shit. As long as I’m touching her, she seems fine but the moment I step away, it’s like our bond doesn’t exist. That’s an indescribable pain. Doesn’t she feel that as well? There’s so much I don’t know … all because she’s human. This is the first instance in nearly a century for our kind to mate with humans from what I’ve heard in the whispers from other packs. It’s not common, but it’s not completely unheard of either.

“What are you looking for, sweetheart?” I keep my voice even. As if I don’t know she’s thinking about bolting even though it’s written all over her face. She peeks up at me through her lashes and meets my gaze head-on. Well that’s a good sign at least. I see her noticeably swallow.

“I was keeping an eye out for the … others.” The jealousy is unexpected. My nostrils flare and my breathing picks up in anger. I can’t school my expression fast enough. Her gaze drops to the floor and she hunches her shoulders. She doesn’t realize it, but she’s trying to shield her neck from me. Yet another thing I don’t like. It takes far too much effort to compose myself. This isn’t what we’re told to expect. Especially for an Alpha’s mate. Again, doubt lingers.

“Why are you waiting on … others?” I can’t say anything else without giving away how pissed off I am and this level of aggression is not for her. Imagining someone else walking in on her like this, and her attention being given to them … a pack member and not her mate … dressed as she is … The fact that Dom and Caleb are sharing their mate has gone to my head. I turn my back to her and put the pan for her goddamn grilled cheese on the stove to heat. I have to work hard not to slam the drawer shut after I grab a butter knife.

“I … I …” Her stammering isn’t helping to calm me down. “I don’t want to see them.” My shoulders relax at her admission.

“That’s a hell of a lot better than what I was thinking.”

I turn back around to face her before I ask with all seriousness, “Are you afraid of them?” She shakes her head “no” while her beautiful hazel eyes meet my gaze. Nodding, at least I know I chose well for who would accompany her when I couldn’t. Lev, even if he is younger and less experienced—he’s soft where the rest of us aren’t, charming and easy to talk to. He has patience where I don’t, and more importantly, he’ll protect her.