ALPHA BIKER WHO CLAIMED HIS BROTHER'S MATE

17

MAYA’S POV:

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest to hide the betrayal of my own body. Then, I stood tall like I was above the hot meal he had waiting for me.

“Whether my stomach rumbles or not, Rafe, it shouldn’t matter to you,” I snapped, my voice rising above the embarrassment. “What matters is that I said I’m not hungry. That should be enough for you to just let me be. It is my word against whatever is going on in my stomach and your intuition.”

I expected him to take a step back, but he didn't move. He stood like a mountain in the doorway, his shadow stretching across the floorboards.

“And you really think I’m just going to do that?”

Yes, that was exactly what I expected—for him to leave me alone, like he has been doing the entire day.

I shrugged at him, trying to look indifferent, though my heart was hammering violently against my ribcage. This time I didn’t think it was because of the meal. It was because of the distance between Rafe and me. The proximity was too much to pretend not to notice.

“A girl can dream.”

Without a word, he put his hand on the door and pushed it. It wasn't violent in a way that my weakened form couldn’t resist. I was forced to take a clumsy step back to avoid being hit, and before I could protest, he was inside the room.

Next, he kicked the door shut with his boot as his eyes remained on me. I swallowed hard and glared at him, my back stiffened.

“What now? Are you going to force-feed me? Or yell at me because I have refused to eat?” I grumbled, but he remained calm for a second as his eyes raked over me.

“Are you angry about what happened on the deck?” he asked, ignoring my mini tantrum. His voice sounded mature, not carefree like the Rafe I used to know—the one that would turn every f*****g situation into a joke.

“I don’t care about that,” I lied, looking everywhere but at him.

That was a lie, because all I have been thinking about was that. Matter of fact, that is the reason why I am f*****g awake. How could I sleep when there is a looming territorial dispute between two brothers?

“Okay,” he said simply.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden lack of resistance. I sighed in relief, hoping this was the end.

“Good,” I muttered, and he took a step back.

His golden eyes searched mine, but still the tension in my shoulders left as he took another step away. My eyes found my feet because of the awkwardness in the room, and I waited to hear the door snap shut behind him, but that did not happen.

Rather, his voice dropped an octave, turning dark and sandpaper-rough.

“You told Jalen you’ve been f****d by me.”

My eyes flared open instantly, and I looked up to find his eyes. The air left my lungs as if he’d punched me. I felt the heat rise from my neck to my hairline, a scorching brand of shame and panic. I shook my head frantically, my mouth opening and closing for a second before I found my words.

“I—I was just saying that to piss him off!” I stammered, my hands trembling. “It was nothing. I just wanted to hurt his ego. We both know how Jalen is, and I figured that would tick him off.”

He nodded, clicking his teeth.

“So, I am the… what do they call it again…?” He paused, tapping his head. But then he stopped. “Can’t remember the word, but…”

“It is called a rebound,” I finished for him, rolling my eyes for a second.

“Yeah,” he pointed at me.

I let out a breath.

“I am not using you as a rebound, Rafe. The moment Jalen cheated on me, it was over. There is nothing to rebound in him. We have a plan together, and maybe if you started treating me like a person and not property, then things would be better.”

“Hmm.” He took another step towards me, but I didn’t move because the distance between us was still huge.

“Are you sure about that, Maya?” he asked, his eyes boring into mine.

I was fed up and I needed to f*****g lie down.

“I’m not here to play any of your games!” I shouted, my voice cracking. It was out of nowhere, so I cleared my throat, trying to get back my tone so he wouldn’t see the frustration.

“Besides, why the hell were you eavesdropping? Is that what Alphas do now? Skulk around in the dark listening to private conversations? I thought you were on the deck to get information from my parents, so what happened?”

“They were not talking and I didn’t want to hurt them because of you,” he said, but I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t care less if they were hurt after what they said today about me.

The room fell silent for about ten seconds before Rafe spoke.

“Do you want to f**k me, Maya?”

The air thinned again, and I stared at him with my cheeks flustered. He was f*****g vulgar and straight to the point. I hated it—especially because it made my stomach react in a stupid way.

“No,” I blurted out.

He didn't answer with words. He just kept coming until I was forced back, step by step, until the cold plaster of the wall hit my shoulder blades. I was trapped.

Rafe reached out, his large hand cupping my jaw, his thumb forcing my chin up until I had no choice but to look at the hunger swirling in his gaze.

“You’re such a great little liar,” he whispered, leaning down until his lips were brushing against the shell of my ear. The heat radiating off him was stifling. “But I don't need to eavesdrop to know what's going on with you. I can smell your p***y from a mile away... and it is f*****g needy.”