ALPHA BIKER WHO CLAIMED HIS BROTHER'S MATE

20

MAYA’S POV

The memory of last night refused to leave me, even though it had been almost twenty-four hours. If I tried to think of anything else, all I felt was that pleasant sensation in my stomach that made my body twitch.

It was warm and more intoxicating than anything I had ever felt in my entire life. I could still feel the phantom of his arm draped over me in the morning. I pretended to be asleep so I could stay a little longer and hear his heartbeat, but Delinda had to f*****g spoil it.

Ever since he left, I had been able to think clearly. It was a losing battle—and a thrilling one.

We were dangerous for each other. He was fierce, and I was calm. Not entirely, but we complemented each other. Still, what we had—or could have—scared me. He is Jalen’s f*****g brother, and we should stick to the plan.

How the hell did he even end up in bed? I asked myself.

Then I remembered. I had noticed he was a bit drunk and vulnerable. I asked him to stay back after I had come hot on his fingers. He didn’t say no, and he carried me to bed like he actually loved me.

“Pull yourself together,” a voice in my head said.

I was standing in front of the mirror. I had been for hours, and instead of focusing on the dress for this stupid ball, I was f*****g daydreaming about the man who was impossible to have. But he allowed me to kiss him. He said he only f****d.

“Get it together, Maya,” I whispered to my reflection.

Then I took a deep breath, clutching the dress in my fingers tightly. It was beautiful, but I was sure it wasn’t for me.

My reflection looked back with wide, uncertain eyes. Rafe wanted me by his side at a formal pack event. It should have been the happiest moment, but it was far from that. This was a world I used to navigate with grace before Jalen turned my life into nothing. Now everyone would stare at me, with plenty to talk about. I knew Rafe would protect me, but it didn’t take away the stigma or the f*****g shame.

“f**k you, Jalen,” I muttered.

After what felt like an eternity of staring at my wardrobe, I reached for a black gown. I hadn’t noticed it earlier, and it was blinding. I put it on instantly.

It wasn’t flashy, but the dress pooled perfectly around my ankles, and the deep V-neck gave me a sliver of confidence I didn’t truly feel. It was perfect, so I moved on to other things. I swept my hair up, brushed a dark tint over my lips, and tried to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.

In about an hour or two, I was done.

When I was ready, I made my way downstairs.

“I am outside,” Rafe yelled when he heard my heels on the floor.

I stepped out, and the cool night air hit my face. My eyes caught Rafe’s, and he quickly tossed his cigar on the ground and crushed it with his foot.

He was leaning against a pillar, and he looked handsome in a suit that hugged his broad shoulders. His gaze on me made my face flush.

He went still as I approached. He didn’t just look at me; he stared as if I were made of gold, his usual hardened expression softening instantly. The car was already outside, and I wondered how long he had been waiting for me.

“You look…” He cleared his throat, his eyes still raking over me. “You look incredible, Maya. Better than anyone else in that room is going to look.”

He looked like he wanted to rip every piece of clothing away from me—or it was just my stupid mind still hung up on last night.

“Thank you, Rafe,” I murmured, ducking my head to hide my smile.

He helped me into the car, and then we drove off to the destination.

The drive to the Upper Pack territory was filled with heavily loaded silence. My mind kept drifting to Jalen. I told myself I wouldn’t think of him. I told myself the chances of running into my ex-husband in a venue this massive were slim. He was Alpha, but even if I did see him, I hoped it would only be on a stage very far from me.

In no time, we made it to the venue. It was a large estate, glowing with amber lights and teeming with the scent of expensive perfume. Rafe parked the car and walked around to my side, offering his hand. As he helped me out, his grip was firm.

“I know you do not want to be here, but this means so much to me, Maya,” he said in a soft tone. “I cannot thank you enough for being here with me. It means a lot.”

I flashed him a smile because he talked like I had a f*****g chance—like he wouldn’t have probably tossed me into the car in jeans and a shirt if I had refused to come.

We pushed forward to the event center. There were so many people, and Rafe greeted a good number of them. We hadn’t gone far when I heard a female voice.

“Rafe!” she yelled.

We both turned instantly. My eyes widened as I saw who it was walking toward us. She was draped in a red dress, wearing a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes. It was Jane—Rafe’s ex-girlfriend.

The air between the three of us turned brittle. I felt Rafe’s posture stiffen beside me as his hand on me loosened instantly. I took in her polished look, then looked at Rafe’s face, and I couldn’t help the dry, bitter laugh that bubbled up in my throat.

“Well,” I muttered, loud enough only for Rafe to hear, “it turns out to be a national week for exes.”