MY ALPHA FATHER'S BEST FRIEND 8
1704 Words
DAMON
I’m about two seconds away from throwing every single one of these wolves out of the house.
Watching these unmated males circle around Maya, scenting her, trying to get her attention—it’s taking everything I have not to shift and show them exactly who she belongs to.
Except she doesn’t belong to me. She can’t belong to me.
But my wolf doesn’t care about that. He’s snarling and pacing, demanding I claim her in front of all of them, make it clear she’s ours.
And Sera. f**k, Sera’s touching me constantly, batting her eyelashes, pressing her t**s against my arm. Under normal circumstances I might be flattered—she’s pretty enough, clearly interested but right now all I want to do is push her away and tell her I’m not available.
Because I’m not. Even though I should be. Even though there’s no logical reason why I can’t pursue someone like Sera—unmated, appropriate age, not my best friend’s daughter.
But I don’t want Sera. I want Maya.
And Maya’s watching me with Sera, and I can smell the jealousy coming off her in waves. See it in the way her eyes narrow every time Sera laughs and touches my arm.
Not totally bad. Let her feel a fraction of what I’m feeling watching these males pant after her.
It’s after four when they finally start to leave, thank the Moon.
Tyler lingers at the door, looking at Maya. “Maybe tomorrow we could…”
“No,” I say before he can finish. “Maya’s busy tomorrow.”
He blinks at me. “How do you know? I didn’t even…”
“She’s busy. Every day for the next two weeks. Understood?”
I let Alpha command seep into my voice, and he immediately drops his eyes in submission.
“Yes, Alpha.”
When they’re finally gone, when the last car pulls away, I turn to find Maya glaring at me.
“That was rude.”
“I don’t care.”
“You don’t get to decide who I spend time with.”
“While you’re under my protection, yes I do.” I step closer to her. “Those males were circling you like prey. Did you not notice?”
“So what if they were? Maybe I like the attention.”
The jealousy that rips through me is visceral. Before I can think better of it, I back her up against the wall, caging her in with my arms.
“Is that what you want?” I growl. “Want them sniffing around you? Trying to get you alone so they can…”
“So they can what? Touch me? Kiss me?” She tilts her chin up defiantly. “At least they’re not afraid to admit they want me.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“Then prove it.”
We’re inches apart, both breathing hard. I can smell her arousal, sharp and sweet. Can see her pulse jumping in her throat.
I want to bite it. Want to sink my teeth in and mark her so every wolf in a hundred miles knows she’s claimed.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” I say again, my voice rough.
“I know exactly what I’m asking for.” Her eyes are locked on mine. “I want you, Damon. I’ve wanted you for three years. And you want me too, so stop pretending you don’t.”
“Your father….”
“Isn’t here. It’s just us.” Her hand comes up to rest on my chest, right over my pounding heart. “No one has to know.”
“I would know. And when he gets back…”
“When he gets back, I’ll tell him myself. That I chose you. That I wanted this.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. She’s willing to face her father’s wrath for me. Willing to risk pack politics and family relationships.
Because she wants me that badly.
My control is hanging by a thread. One more push and I’m going to snap.
“Last chance, Maya,” I warn her, my voice dropping into a growl. “Walk away right now, or I’m going to give you exactly what you’re asking for.”
She smiles, slow and wicked. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The thread snaps.
I crush my mouth to hers, three years of wanting pouring into the kiss. She opens for me immediately, her hands fisting in my shirt, pulling me closer.
She tastes perfect. Feels perfect. Her mouth is hot and eager, her tongue meeting mine stroke for stroke.
I slide my hands down to her ass and lift her, and she immediately wraps her legs around my waist. The position presses her core right against my hard c**k, and we both groan at the contact.
“Upstairs,” I growl against her mouth. “Now.”
I carry her up the stairs, kissing her the whole way, her body wrapped around mine. She’s grinding against me, whimpering into my mouth, and I’m so hard it’s painful.
I kick open the door to my room—Rob’s room, but I can’t think about that now and carry her to the bed.
But before I can lay her down, headlights sweep across the window.
We both freeze.
More vehicles. Multiple vehicles, from the sound of it.
“f**k,” I snarl, setting Maya down. I go to the window and look out.
Estate security. And they’re escorting someone.
My wolf recognizes the scent even from here.
Rob. Maya’s father is home early.
“No,” Maya whispers, coming up beside me. “No, no, no. He’s not supposed to be back for another week.”
I watch as Rob climbs out of his SUV, looking tired but alert. He’s brought several pack warriors with him.
My phone buzzes. A text from Derek: Alpha Ashford returned early. Rogue situation resolved faster than expected. Thought you should know.
“He can’t know,” Maya says, gripping my arm. “Damon, he can’t know about this.”
She’s right. If Rob finds out I kissed his daughter, that I was about to do a lot more than kiss her…
It’ll destroy our friendship. Could even start a conflict between our packs.
“Get to your room,” I tell her, my voice sharper than I intend. “Act normal. Like nothing happened.”
“But…”
“Now, Maya.”
She looks at me for a long moment, hurt flashing in her eyes at my tone. Then she turns and runs across the hall to her room, closing the door quietly.
I take a second to compose myself, to get my wolf under control. My lips are probably swollen from kissing her. I can smell her all over me.
I go to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face, trying to calm down. Trying to think of anything except how close I came to claiming Rob’s daughter in his own bed.
By the time I make it downstairs, Rob’s already inside, talking to Derek.
“Damon!” He sees me and grins, crossing the room to pull me into a brief hug. “Thanks for holding down the fort.”
“No problem. Didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“Yeah, Marcus’s Beta stepped up, handled the rogues faster than we thought. Figured I’d come home, check on my girl.” He looks around. “Where is Maya?”
“Upstairs. Some of her friends stopped by earlier, tired her out.”
It’s not entirely a lie.
Rob nods, satisfied. “Good. Good that she had company. I was worried she’d be bored with just you here.”
Just me. If he only knew.
“She was fine. No problems.”
Maya appears at the top of the stairs, and I force myself not to look at her. Not to remember how she felt in my arms five minutes ago.
“Dad!” She runs down and throws herself into Rob’s arms. “You’re back early!”
“Couldn’t stay away from my girl.” He hugs her tight. “You been good for Damon?”
She glances at me over Rob’s shoulder, and there’s something defiant in her eyes.
“I’ve been very good, Dad.”
Rob doesn’t catch the double meaning, but I do.
“Good. Why don’t you go pack up Damon’s stuff for him? I’m sure he’s ready to get back to his own pack.”
My stomach drops. He’s dismissing me. Of course he is—there’s no reason for me to stay now that he’s back.
Which means I won’t see Maya again until… when? The next pack meeting? The next time Rob invites me over?
“I can get my own stuff,” I say.
“Nonsense. Maya, go on.”
She hesitates, then heads upstairs without a word.
Rob turns back to me. “Seriously, man, I can’t thank you enough. I know watching Maya isn’t exactly exciting, but it means a lot that you were here.”
Watching Maya. Like she’s a child who needed a babysitter.
Guilt crashes into me. What the f**k was I thinking? She is his daughter. And I almost…
“Anytime,” I manage to say.
Maya comes back down carrying my duffel, her face carefully neutral.
“Here,” she says, handing it to me. Our fingers brush and I feel the spark of contact like electricity.
“Thanks.”
We stand there awkwardly for a moment, three years of wanting and five minutes of finally having all crashing into this horrible, stilted goodbye.
“Drive safe,” Maya says quietly.
“I will.”
Rob walks me out to my truck, talking about pack business, completely oblivious to the tension.
I throw my bag in the back and turn to say goodbye. Over Rob’s shoulder, I can see Maya in the window, watching.
Our eyes meet and hold.
This isn’t over, her expression says.
It has to be, mine answers.
Then I climb in my truck and drive away, leaving her behind.
Leaving my heart behind.
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