Page 4 of Ruined Wolf
She nodded. “Sorry, I’m... I was miles away.”
“It’s all good. Were you after something?”
“I was going to make coffee. Maverick was going to, but he got a work call, so I came down to do it myself, and I can’t figure out the coffee machine.” She grinned at me sheepishly, but there was a shyness there too.
I laughed. “I’m not surprised. Lucas insisted on installing it for us when he lived here full time, and he’s so particular about his coffee he bought the most complicated thing on the market. Here, I’ll give you a crash course on making the most basic thing it can do.”
I walked her through the machine, showing her how to set it up and create a couple of different drinks before making her a vanilla latte with whipped cream. I tried to make small talk, and we managed, but there was definitely tension in the air.
She stood with her hands wrapped around her coffee mug as I made myself a regular cappuccino, and it was only when I’d wiped the machine down that she spoke again.
“Asher, I’m sorry about what happened.”
I tensed. “Which part in particular?” I asked carefully, wiping down an already clean section to avoid looking at her.
“Mating Maverick... and Lucas. I never meant for that to happen. It just did, and I—”
“It’s fine,” I forced out, setting the cloth down. “You did what you needed to. Anyone could see what was between you and Maverick, and he’s the best choice. He can protect you.”
“I guess,” she replied, falling quiet.
I tried to keep it in, but I couldn’t. “Why Lucas, Nova? If Maverick wasn’t enough for you, why choose Lucas too? Why not me? I thought we shared something special, that there was something between us, but then you took him. You didn’t even know him. I just don’t get it.”
“I gave him a mate mark too. I don’t even know how it happened. It wasn’t intentional. And when Maverick said he was going to take me as his mate, Lucas just said he was too, and I couldn’t think. It just felt right.”
I dragged in a breath, trying not to raise my voice. “It felt right? You know nothing about him, Nova. I love my brother, but he’s not a good match for you. I understand Maverick. He has power and status, but Lucas? He’s a killer, Nova. Did you forget that? He murders people, and not for the money either. He does it because he enjoys it. He likes the violence, and that’s the person you just bound yourself to for the rest of your life.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Lucas wouldn’t hurt me, Asher.”
I gave a bitter laugh. “He hurt the last girl he was with. She showed up at the healer’s place covered in blood and bruises. He tied her up and beat her until she was practically unconscious. Ethan had to step in to stop her family from killing Lucas, and this was a girl he liked, Nova. Do you really know him well enough to trust that he won’t do the same to you? He’s my brother, and I’d do anything for him, but I have no problem admitting he’s fucked up deep inside.”
She stared at me, running the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip as she processed what I’d told her. I immediately felt bad. It hadn’t been my place to say anything, but I was worried about her, and yes, I was angry and resentful she’d chosen Lucas over me.
“Maverick wouldn’t let it get that far,” she finally said.
“No, he wouldn’t, but he won’t always be around.” I sighed. “I guess it has nothing to do with me. I’ll just never understand why girls always go for the bad guys. Just be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt, and Lucas could really fuck you up badly.”
“Why’s he like that?” she asked. “What makes him so different from you and Maverick and... and...” She trailed off, her eyes darting away nervously.
“He’s your mate, Nova. Why don’t you ask him?”
“I don’t think we’re at that point yet,” she murmured, looking back down at her coffee.
“So he gets to make you come, but he doesn’t have to be honest with you. That’s a great match you’ve got there,” I scoffed. I was hurting her, and I knew it, but I suddenly didn’t
feel sorry for her. I was past that point, and my anger and resentment were bubbling under the surface. She’d made her choice, and now she would suffer the consequences.
“That’s not fair, Asher,” she replied quietly, her eyes full of hurt. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. We were pulled together... fated.”
“So you don’t have to accept any responsibility for your choices? Grow up, Nova. At least own what you did and what choices you made. The innocent little omega act doesn’t wash anymore.” I moved closer to her, pulling the empty mug out of her hand and setting it on the bench. “I’ve heard the moans from Maverick’s bedroom. I’ve heard you screaming their names over and over again as they make you come, and I’ve heard them too.” I leaned down, murmuring, “I’ve heard the way you beg and what you beg for. You can’t tell me you didn’t choose this and that you don’t choose them over and over again.”
Her scent surrounded me, and I could see the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. She didn’t smell scared, just turned on, and my cock jumped at the thought. I wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck, holding her still.
“Why couldn’t you have chosen me, Nova?” I ran my hand down over her breast, cupping it and rubbing my thumb over her nipple.
She gasped, and it peaked almost immediately. I bent farther down, sucking it into my mouth through the fabric, and she grabbed my waist, her hands twisting into my shirt. I felt her start to push me away, but just as I was about to stop, she changed direction and pulled me closer. Desire exploded through me, and I slid my free hand between her legs. She wasn’t wearing any underwear, and she was so wet. She moaned as I slid my finger slowly along her slit.
“Is this what you like? Someone just taking what they want? You’ve been fucking my brothers all morning, Nova. How are you this wet? What more do you need that they aren’t giving you?” I dipped my finger inside her, and she pressed her hips forward.