CHAPTER 9
1252 Words
The words poured into my ear, dark and controlling and every nerve in my body screamed at me to fight back.
I looked up ready to push him ready to snarl and claw and defend myself but my wolf was calm. Completely utterly calm. Like she knew this guy. Like she wanted this.
That's when I realized who it was.
Kaleb.
"I won't just stand by and watch someone else touch what's mine " his voice whispered, low and rough against my ear. His breath brushed over my skin giving me goosebumps on my neck.
I pushed him away.
He let me, stepping back enough to give me space but his eyes never left mine. Dark. Intense. Hungry in a way that made my stomach flip.
"I rejected you Kaleb " I said, my voice sharper than I meant. "I'm not a thing you can claim."
I studied him with a look crossing my arms over my chest. My back was still against the wall. At least there was air between us now. At least I could breathe.
His jaw tightened. Something flickered across his face,frustration maybe. "You think I care about that rejection?"
"You should."
"I don't."
I blinked, thrown off by how he sounded. Then I shook my head forcing myself to focus. "I thought you went to see Dad. What are you doing here?"
Kaleb took a step closer. I stood my ground.
"Dad can wait " he said, his voice dropping lower. "I couldn't bear to see you and Garrett together."
I closed my eyes. Took a deep breath. The image of Garretts hand on my shoulder flashed through my mind, the way he'd touched me the way I'd grabbed his hand and pulled him away just to make Kaleb watch.
I'd wanted him to see. Wanted him to get angry.
It seemed to have worked.
"You might have to go see Dad " I said, opening my eyes and forcing my voice to stay steady. "Because a big ceremony is happening."
Kalebs posture shifted slightly. He relaxed,. His eyes stayed sharp watching me.
"Dad is throwing a party to welcome you " I continued, the words tasting bitter. ". Hes using the chance to find you a mate."
I had a hard time saying that word. Mate. It felt wrong coming out of my mouth.
Kaleb stared at me for a moment. Then his lips curved into a smile.
"I found my mate already, " he said. "I'll tell Dad there's no need for that."
He turned and made to leave.Panic flooded through me.
I grabbed his arm without thinking my fingers wrapping around his forearm. The moment I touched him a tingling sensation spread through my palm up my wrist racing along my skin. I forced myself to ignore it.
"Have you lost your mind?" I hissed, yanking him back. "You really want to go tell Dad that you found your mate and it's your sister?"
Kaleb stopped. He looked down at where my hand gripped his arm then slowly raised his gaze to meet mine.
Something shifted in the air between us.
He was close again. Too close. I could smell him, pine and something deeper. I could see the stubble along his jaw the way his dark hair fell across his forehead the intensity in his eyes.
He smiled down at me. I was taken aback by how handsome he was.
I don't know when I'd last really looked at him. The years apart had changed him—made him taller, broader. Someone whose presence filled the space of my apartment until I felt like I couldn't breathe.
His eyes were dark almost black in the light but there was warmth there too. His lips were slightly. I watched as he wet them with his tongue.
I stared at his face. At the line of his nose. At the cut of his cheekbones. At the way his jaw tensed and relaxed.
We were both lost.
Staring at each other.
The space between us felt charged, electric. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, loud and insistent. Could feel the warmth radiating off his body inches from mine.
His eyes dropped to my lips.
I should have looked away. Should have stepped back. Should have said something cutting.
I didn't.
I just stood there frozen watching him watch me.
His free hand lifted slowly like he was giving me time to pull away. I didn't move.
"Here you go… you're accepting me as your brother again," he said softly, his other hand moving to caress my cheek. His fingers were warm against my skin rough in a way.
His thumb traced along my cheekbone, feather-light. I found myself leaning into his touch.
What am I doing?
The thought crashed through me.
I pulled away fast stumbling back against the wall. My heart was hammering my skin tingling. I forced my expression to go cold forced my voice to come out flat and hard.
"Listen closely " I said, each word deliberate. "I'm not going to repeat myself. You're not my mate. You're never going to be. I still haven't accepted you as my brother. I'm never going to."
Kalebs hand fell back to his side. His expression didn't change,. Something in his eyes darkened.
"If you actually do turn out to be my brother, " I continued, pushing off the wall and circling around him
"mates between siblings is forbidden.. I'm not going to get into a scandal because of you."
I turned to face him putting the weight of my glare behind my next words.
"Go meet Dad so you can prepare for the ceremony. You're probably going to find another mate because I'm never going to accept you.. Can you stop being friendly with me and pretending everything is fine between us? Because it isn't."
The words hung in the air between us, sharp and final.
Kaleb was quiet behind me. I could feel his presence could feel the weight of his gaze on my back. He didn't speak. Didn't move.
I wanted to turn around. Wanted to see his face.
Pp
I didn't.
I stood there facing the wall my hands clenched into fists at my sides. My heart was racing, my chest tight.
Then he spoke.
His voice came out colder than I'd anticipated. Flatter. Empty.
"Sure thing, then." A pause. "I won't bother you again Ashley."
I heard him retreat. I heard his footsteps cross the space of my apartment. The door opened then closed behind him with a click.
Then silence.
I stood there for a moment, my breathing heavy.
Then I found myself running to the window.
I pressed my hands against the glass leaning forward until my forehead touched the surface. Outside I could see Kaleb walking calmly away from my apartment. His posture relaxed.
He was heading toward the library. And not once did he look back.
Not once.
I gripped the wall tightly, my fingers digging into the wood frame. My wolf moaned in disapproval, a sound that made my eyes sting.
This is what you wanted I told myself. This is what you said.
Then why did it feel like I'd just lost something I never even had?
I watched until he disappeared through the library doors. The heavy oak doors closed behind him. Blocked him from view. The sun was setting. It was painting the sky orange and red. The pack grounds were quiet. They were peaceful.
I did not feel peaceful.
- Writer
