Chapter 15: Heston
982 Words
Heston
I was still on my knees. In my office.
At my family’s business. Smiling like a man who had no business smiling.
Like I hadn’t just practically committed a war crime—with a witch. The Alter’s daughter, no less. Who’d violated the treaty just to march in here and chew me out with fire in her eyes and wolfsbane burning on her skin.
And somehow?
I was the one who got fed.
I could still taste her. I finally stood, licking my lips, and holy hell—she was everywhere. Her scent was on my fingers. My face. The damn desk. Even though my balls ached like I’d gone ten rounds with a goddess and lost, my wolf was calm.
Satisfied.
The best he’s felt in weeks.
I ran a hand through my hair, the grin still tugging at my mouth, trying and failing to school my expression when—
Knock knock.
Fuck.
I cleared my throat. “Come in.”
The door swung open and in walked Max.
Beta. Best friend. All-around pain in my ass.
His eyes scanned the room once.
Then he grinned. Slow. Sharp.
“It smells like s*x in here.”
I didn’t say anything. I just braced my hands on the edge of the desk, trying to look composed.
“And guess,” he drawled, “who I happened to see getting on the elevator a minute ago? Flushed and a little dazed.”
I fumbled. “It’s not—”
He arched a brow. “Heston.”
“f**k,” I muttered, scrubbing a hand down my face. “Alright. Fine.”
Max laughed, stepping in and shutting the door behind him. “You bent the witch over your desk?”
“Do you have to say it like that?”
“Oh, I absolutely do.” He dropped into the chair across from me, shaking his head. “Alpha Blue gets unhinged by a witch with a mouth and an attitude. I live for this shit.”
I groaned.
“She stormed in here like she was going to hex me into next week,” I muttered. “Then I snapped. And now I’m…” I gestured vaguely, helplessly, “…this.”
Max snorted. “So what now?”
I looked toward the lock on the office door.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you want to see her again?”
My mouth opened. Closed.
I didn’t answer.
Because I did. f**k, I wanted her again now—wanted her laugh, her fight, her taste.
But I also wanted to not start a war.
Max studied me, then grinned like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“This is going to be messy,” he said.
And moon goddess help me, I was already counting the minutes until I could see her again.
Dinner was roast and tension.
The kind of family dinner where everything looked perfect on the table but burned like hell going down.
I sat at the head with my brothers flanking either side—Ridge already halfway through his second beer, Rowan texting under the table, probably avoiding Mom’s questions—and my parents across from me, watching.
Always watching.
And all I could think about was Cordella.
Bent over my desk. Writhing on my fingers.
Begging—Please, Alpha. I’ll be good.
I barely swallowed my wine.
“So,” my mother said casually, slicing into her roasted carrots with surgical precision. "Elise said dinner went well. Don’t make her wait too long for a call.”
I blinked. “Who?”
Her knife paused mid-cut.
My brothers snickered.
Dad’s face turned grim.
“Elise, Heston,” my mother snapped. “What has gotten into you? You’re thirty-two. Unmated. Blue Ridge has no Luna, and you’re making jokes?”
I didn’t correct her. It would’ve only pissed her off more.
Dad leaned forward, voice low and sharp. “You’ve had enough time for human flings. It’s time to get serious.”
I set down my fork, every muscle in my jaw tight.
“I just need a little more time,” I said evenly. “I promise, I’ll look for a Luna.”
As soon as I got Cordella Blackwood out of my system.
My wolf snarled inside me.
Loud. Feral. Liar.
I ignored him.
I had to. I needed some delusion to survive this dinner. And to survive her.
My mother sighed, frustrated, and Dad just watched me. Like he was looking for whatever I was hiding. I don't look away and just took another sip wine.
“He’s an Alpha,” he said, tone clipped. “Let him get it out of his system now so he can focus. On securing and breeding with a strong Luna.”
There it was.
Breeding.
Because love wasn’t part of this equation—not for them.
Only bloodlines. Only heirs. Only legacy.
“Very well,” Mom said. “I just don’t see what’s wrong with Elise. She’s very pretty. And sweet.”
“I’ll take her,” Ridge muttered around a roll and I bite back a laugh. s**t head.
The glare she gave him could’ve curdled milk but Ridge didn't flinch, just kept that cocky smile on his face.
I picked up my glass again, hiding the smirk.
Because that was the problem.
I didn’t want sweet. I didn’t want docile, obedient, pre-approved.
I wanted fire. I wanted chaos wrapped in silk and spellwork.
I wanted a witch who tasted like magic and burned when I touched her.
Cordella.
Her name echoed like a spell I couldn’t break.
And as I stared down into my wine, I made myself a promise.
I’d get her out of my system.
One way or another.
And then I’d find a Luna. And in the meantime?
I’d try not to start a war or destroy my family.
- Writer
