Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(89)

His gaze caught and held mine from across the room, not a single sign of shame or embarrassment as his body responded to me. Several women whistled and whispered at the impressive sight of my mate. My other mate.

“They’re gone, either dead or scared off, but gone for sure,” he said. “It’s okay now. No one is going to hurt you.”

It was over. Callie was gone, and all her meddling attempts to get rid of me were finished. I could finally start over. Free from the threat of her jealousy.

Noah moved to stand beside me, catching one of my hands in his. Alek stood on the other side, his palm resting on the small of my back. I turned my head slightly, catching Caleb’s searing gaze, knowing it had been on me ever since he tasted my blood. And then I returned my focus back to Kingston. Proud. Regal. Head alphahole himself, Kingston.

My mates. All of them.

Something clicked in me as I finally let myself admit it. I needed these men. All four of them. I was stronger, faster, more in control—mentally and emotionally—when I was with them. They completed me. I couldn’t choose between them. I needed each and every one of them.

“Sunday!” Moira burst from the crowd, her dress torn, lip split, but thank God she was alive.

She crashed into me, dislodging me from the connection I’d made with my men. “You’re okay,” I whispered, hugging her tight.

“I wouldn’t be if Sanderson hadn’t thrown herself on the bomb. She saved everyone.”

My gut clenched. “Is she . . . did she survive?”

Nodding, she sighed. “She used a shield spell. Her recovery is going to take a long time, but she’ll make it.”

Relief cascaded through me. I didn’t know how much more of this I could take.

Moira’s hands dug into my flesh, her body spasming once.

Shit.

“Moira?”

She didn’t respond right away, but when she did, ice water ran through my veins because the voice that came out wasn’t hers.

It was my mother’s.

“The Blackthorne heir is the only way.”





Chapter

Forty-Four





THORNE





Three days after the attack on Ravenscroft, I was finally fully healed, inside and out. The silver blade had done more damage than Sunday’s blood could cure, which had required me to hunt and feed until I was back to my old self. But tonight was ours. I had Sunday all to myself, and I planned to take full advantage.

I’d booked our room at Iniquity, needing to be completely alone, safe, and uninterrupted for what she wanted. My heart raced at the thought of the step we were about to take together. One that couldn’t be undone.

Sunday moved in close behind me as we approached the door to the club, running her hands over my chest and trailing them down toward my already hard length.

I chuckled, grasping her wrist and stopping her exploration. “Why the hurry? We have all night, dove.”

“I’m ready. I want to do this now. No more waiting.”

I scented her arousal, but something was lying beneath the surface. There was an undercurrent of trepidation that concerned me, especially given her sudden urgency. She was forcing this, and while I should have just gone with it, I knew I’d never forgive myself if she regretted her decision.

Tugging on her wrist, I pulled her around to stand in front of me, my eyes scanning her face for answers. “Why?”

“Because I love you and want to be yours. Isn’t that enough of a reason?”

“It’s a perfect reason, but I don’t think that’s the whole truth. Don’t lie to me. Not about this.”

She bit down on her lush bottom lip. I cupped her cheek, using my thumb to free the pillowy flesh from her teeth.

“Stop trying to distract me.”

“Oh, do you like it when I use my teeth?”

“Your teeth. Your tongue. Your hands. Name the body part, and I’m a fan.”

“Same.” Her voice was breathy and filled with desire, but her thoughts still hummed with anxious energy, and I hated that I couldn’t piece them together through the block she’d raised.

We definitely needed to sit down and talk before things moved any further. I couldn’t in good conscience allow this to happen without knowing her mind. But that kind of chat required privacy, and the sidewalk outside a supernatural sex club hardly qualified, especially with a certain wolf trailing us.

I wove my fingers through hers and led her into the club, laser-focused on our destination. I wanted her under me, but I also needed to set things straight before anything else. The club was quiet this time of evening before all the creatures of the night came out to play. It didn’t take long for us to reach our special room, the door opening as soon as we arrived, revealing the romantic space we’d grown to love.

Sunday was on me the instant we stepped inside, her mouth crushing against mine as her fingers worked at the buttons of my shirt. Desire flared in me, hot and swift. It was only my concern for her that prevented me from giving in to the need she ignited.

“Wait,” I breathed, pulling away.

“Noah, don’t stop this.” She tugged her hair away from her neck and bared her throat to me. “Make me yours. We have to do this. You have to give me your mating mark.”