Chapter 15

Almara

Arthur had insisted on escorting me to the gallery so there I was, in a limo, again. I had never been in one my whole life and now it had been three times in less than a week. What had my life become?

Arthur vacantly stared out the window, hands folded casually across his lap. I couldn’t help but watch him from my peripheral. As an alpha, he was so strong. He had to be, but I couldn’t help but wonder how much of that was an act.

My sneaky studying was cut short when Athur’s phone started vibrating. I glanced down at it. Sofia’s name flashed across the screen and I raised my eyebrows. Arthur hadn’t mentioned once that she had contacted him since she departed the cruise ship

It rang and rang, but Arthur never moved. He didn’t even give the slightest hint that he knew that Sofia had called. Maybe he was too lost in thought?

“Um…Sofia just called you,” I said, breaking what had been a comfortable silence.

“I’m aware. I just don’t care. However, I do know that since I didn’t answer, she’s going to keep calling. I can smell your anxiety from here, little wolf. Do you want me to take care of it?” Arthur asked, but I couldn’t understand how Sofia calling had anything to do with my anxiety.

Lily must have caught on because she tore down my mental shields completely before I could stop her. Her desire spread through my body as quick as a wildfire and I could feel my panties getting damp.

Arthur’s nostrils flared as he took in my scent and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Arthur took his phone, which was indeed vibrating again, and stuck it up the mid-thigh skirt I was wearing. He pressed the phone against my most sensitive spot and I cried out, throwing my head against the back of the seat.

There had to be something really wrong with me, but the fact that it was his ex-fiance, his mate, that was calling and giving me such pleasure only heightened the sensation.

Arthur lightly traced my face with his fingers, before dropping his hand to my neck and squeezing. I rocked my hips, creating more friction between me and the buzzing. All too soon, the phone stopped and I moaned. It hadn’t been enough.

Arthur kept the phone there and a second later it started up again. My fists tightened in my lap. The pressure was building. I was so close. Just a bit more…

…but the phone stopped again and stayed dead. I thought I would cry if I didn’t get release soon. Arthur tossed the phone away, looking down at me with darkened green eyes.

“Say the word, little wolf, and I’ll let you finish. All you have to do is ask,” Arthur breathed into my ear and I let out a strangled cry.

“Pl-please,” I managed to get out, squeezing my thighs together to try and relieve some of the tension.

With one hand, Arthur pulled my thighs apart. “Did I say you could do that?”

I shook my head wordlessly, bucking my hips but there was nothing there. I groaned in frustration and slipped a hand between my legs.

Arthur growled and swatted my hand away. “I didn’t say you could touch, little wolf. You have to ask permission first if you want to touch something that’s mine.”

“Arthur, please!” I begged. This man was going to be the death of me.

A wicked smile graced his face. “No.” And he backed away, putting a seat between us.

Lily thrashed against me and the pain cleared my mind a little. I righted myself, panting slightly and glared at him.

“What do you mean no?” I growled at him, struggling to keep Lily at bay. She was so angry and I had to admit that I was a little angry too. I might not have been in control, but that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy what was happening. At least a little.

“I told you. I will not take you to my bed unless you want me to. As much as you enjoyed that, I’m pretty sure it was your wolf more than you. However, now that you have a taste of the pleasure I can bring you, I expect you won’t last much longer.”

He’s right. You’re in desperate need of some release, Lily chimed in, done with her temper tantrum. I was going to have to have a serious talk with her. She couldn’t just wreak havoc whenever she felt like it.

This is so embarrassing, Lily! We’re not teenagers anymore. You can’t just take-over my body! I practically yelled at her and she had the decency to hang her head.

“What’s her name?” Arthur abruptly asked, interrupting our inner conversation.

“What?”

“Your wolf. What is her name?” he asked again, watching me with knowing eyes.

“Lily,” I answered, not knowing where he was going with this. Most of the time, we didn’t ask each other our wolf’s names. Usually, only family or mates cared enough to ask.

Arthur leaned toward me and stared deeply into my eyes, like he could somehow see her if he looked hard enough. “Lily, as your alpha, I command that you let Almara make the decisions when it comes to me. It won’t count if she’s not in her right mind.”

My face burned red. Nobody had ever spoken to Lily directly before. I was even more surprised when Lily rolled over to show her belly. Arthur had her wrapped around his finger.

I jerked away and glared at him, crossing my arms over my stomach. “You know, something could have been wrong with Sofia. You should call her back,” I snapped, not caring that I was letting him know just how much he had gotten under my skin.

“If you’re worried about her, you can call her back. I’m not going to have anymore contact with her as long as we’re together,” Arthur told me and a little of the fire that had been burning in me went out.

“And if she does call again, well…you can already guess what I’m going to do,” Arthur said and the confidence in his tone made my heart stutter. I knew without a doubt he would fulfill that promise and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want Sofia to call again.

“We’re here, Almara. Are you ready?” Arthur asked, giving me a soft smile. It took years off of his face and I got a glimpse of what he probably looked like when he was closer to my age. He was so handsome.

I nodded as the limo slowed to a stop. Arthur got out and took my hand, steadying me.

He interlaced our fingers. My heart rate sped up. “At least you’re not nervous anymore,” Arthur whispered and I put a hand to my chest, rubbing it as if I could stop the feelings I was experiencing. So different than when I was with Robert.

But just like Robert, there would be no happy ending for me and Arthur. Once Sofia came back, that would be it. We would be done. And for the first time I wondered if I would be able to walk away.