Chapter 81 #2
Riley’s Gamma was a known playboy before he met Jenny, and I believed it was for the same reason he was so protective of his sister when it came to dating. So asking him would be out of the question. I had to find a way to see Anya on my own.
I’d never been so taken with a woman that I couldn’t stop thinking about her for days.
Fuck that! The truth was, she had been on my mind for the past six months. And as much as I wanted to give it a try and pursue her, I couldn’t. She was only seventeen at the time.
The fucking problem was, I was twenty-six. We had a nine-year gap, and I couldn’t just go and ask her for a date without someone raising an eyebrow because she was still a minor then.
But since she was already eighteen, I could give it a try.
To be honest, I was hoping that she would end up being my mate.
I was tired of being alone. And it has been four years since the last time I was in a relationship.
I grew numb over time and didn’t care anymore about females, only for all my senses to be awakened by a tiny, blonde female with deep dimples.
I hope you’re listening, Selene. Give me Anya as my mate, and I swear to the moon that I’ll be a good mate.
“Uncle is still not stepping down?” Riley’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts as we walked out of the training grounds and toward the packhouse with Gamma Sebastian.
“No. Not until I produce a Luna,” I answered him.
“Go choose one then.” Gamma Sebastian suggested, and I almost choked.
“Do you have any suggestions?” I threw the question at him, chuckling as the thoughts of his sister crossed my mind.
“No. But there are many Alpha females waiting to be claimed. Ask Alpha Riley, he probably knows some.”
“Are you fucking serious? When did I ever show interest on Alpha Females?” Riley snapped at him.
“I actually don’t mind if it’s not an Alpha Female.” I ignored Riley’s remark and said my piece.
“But Uncle Vesmont would.”
“Dad is getting old. He toned down after what happened with Alba. He stopped pushing females my way and just wanted me to find a Luna.”
“You’re the one getting old, man. You’ll go feral soon.” Riley chuckled.
“Fuck you. Quit dissing me. I have a feeling I will find my mate tonight.” I slapped Riley’s shoulder, and he glared at me.
He said earlier that his half-sisters were coming, and Dawson joked that the twins might end up as our mates, and Riley didn’t take it well.
“They’re only nineteen. So fuck off and find your mate somewhere else.”
Gamma Sebastian laughed, and I joined in as we walked towards the entrance of the packhouse. Riley started to say something more, but I didn’t hear the rest of it.
A sweet scent of caramel and fresh green apples hit me the moment my foot stepped inside the packhouse. I subconsciously licked my lips before I glanced at Riley. “What are they cooking?”
“I don’t know,” he answered in a bored tone, and I felt my eyes dilating as my wolf, Zeus, growled in my head, saying the word I’ve been waiting for for the last eight years.
‘Mate!’
I didn’t waste time. I sprang forward and followed the scent, which led me to the kitchen.
My eyes locked with the petite, blonde female who had occupied my mind for the last six months, and I felt a mate bond snap into place.
Her emerald eyes were swirling with desire, and it was sucking me in deeper.
The kitchen was crowded with too many females, but my eyes only saw her until I realized that a male was holding her.
“Mine!” I couldn’t tell if the growl came from me or from Zeus. But rage was radiating from my body as it finally sank in that my fucking brother was dipping his mouth on my mate’s neck.
Before I could think rationally, I hauled Dawson away from Anya as my whole body shook in anger.
“Did you fucking kiss her?”
Dawson’s eyes squinted as he stood up from the floor. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He snapped at me, brushing his pants with his hands.
I was about to throw a punch at his face when I heard small footsteps running away and saw Anya in my side peripherals as she exited the kitchen to the main dining area.
I pivoted and ran after her, and with just a few steps, I was able to snake my arm around her waist and turn her body around. Her soft chest slammed on my torso as my gaze met her beautiful eyes. Her eyes were welling with tears, and my heart hurt at the fear flitting in them.
“Anya...” My voice came out hoarsely.
Her lips quivered before she found her voice to speak my name. “Alpha... Caleb.”
And I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I crashed my lips against hers and took what was rightfully mine.
I had no idea what was going on between her and Dawson, but I would deal with it later.
I was kissing her hungrily, making up for all those years that I waited for her, but she remained stoic and was not responding.
“Anya...” I mumbled against her lips as I slowed down from kissing her. “Kiss me... please.” My voice was pleading, my hands cupping her jaw.
I was on the verge of giving up when her hands rose to my chest and clutched my shirt, gripping it tightly as she parted her lips and slowly kissed me back.
My heart was rejoicing as I held her closer, kissing her hard as I plunged my tongue into her mouth. It felt like a fucking dream until someone knocked me out of it.
Everything went fast. I was grabbed away from Anya as knuckles hit my jaw. I didn’t budge from standing, but it was painful. My eyes dilated as I growled, ready to attack back, when I realized that it was Sebastian that hit me.
“I told you to pick up a Luna, but I didn’t say you could fucking pick up my sister! She’s too young for your fucking games!” He was aiming to throw another jab at me, but Riley was holding him back.
My hand was holding my jaw as I glanced at Anya, who was cowering by the wall. Her face was wet with tears. Her eyes met mine, but she dropped her gaze right away before turning around and leaving the dining area.
I wanted to run after her, but I knew I had to face Sebastian first.
“Calm down, man. Anya is my fated mate.” I finally said it. And fuck that, it felt fucking good!