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Chapter 17–Realization
His lips crashed onto mine and the electricity exploded in my core. My hands reached for his face and I wanted more. His
tongue traced my lips and a moan escaped me. Seizing the
opportunity, his tongue made its way through my slightly parted lips to my tongue. I welcomed the invasion and kissed back. He deepened the kiss and I could feel his hunger for me. His big
strong hand was suddenly cradling the back of my head.
His kiss was so delicious, my inexperienced mouth craved more even as I struggled for air. My toes curled and my heart was
racing. I had only ever kissed one boy before, and that was Zach. Dimitri was no boy, he was a man with years of experience ahead of me. I suddenly felt so insecure, so little and inexperienced.
Feeling my hesitation, Dimitri pulled back and studied my face.
He was several years older than me, an established Alpha. He
probably has a girlfriend, several lovers, in fact, he was going to Odessa’s room tonight. I felt vulnerable and I hated it.
I had just discovered he was my mate but wondered how long he knew. When did he find out? He wasn’t even sure he wanted me alive, that is what he said in his office, wasn’t it? He didn’t
want me!
“You knew! You knew this whole time!” I stared in disbelief. “Raven, I wa—‘
”
“When? When did you find out?” I demanded.
“My wolf, Dom, could sense you at the club. I watched you
dancing from the balcony. Eros noticed my interest in you and started having you followed.” He said.
“He’s been following me because he thinks you’re sweet on me or because he knows I’m your mate?”
“Something like that.” Dimitri said and ran his hand over the back of his neck; which reminded me of something. “Your neck, is there a mark on the back of your neck?” I asked. “You mean this?” He turned around and I saw the
same exact
Crescent Moon mark of the Moon Goddess. “It’s identical to mine.” I said.
“I’ve never seen anyone else with the mark.” He told me.
I lifted my hair up and turned my head so that he could see the nape of my neck.
“You were in the woods a few weeks ago when I went running with my friends, your scent was on my clothes.” “Dom really wanted to see your wolf. But I didn’t know for sure until we came face to face last week on the island.”
“Well hellO000 Dom.” Rae purred at me.
“YOU came face–to–face with me; I just saw my own reflection in your sunglasses. Why did you walk off so
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rudely?”
“Eros‘ men were on the Island following you, Alec and I took them out.”
1 thought about what he was saying, but then I felt myself
getting angry. If he was aware that I was his mate last week
how could he stay away from me for so long? He sent other men to protect me, but that is the job of the mate, to protect and care for you.
Did he not want a mate? I wanted to ask him but felt an
uncomfortable knot tightening in my stomach. I wanted to reach for him, to wrap myself up in his comfort and put my worries to rest, but something was holding me back
“On the island, you stole my bikini bottoms. I saw you scenting them.” I stated.
A sheepish grin formed on his face. “That was Dom. Your scent calms him, he needs to be close to you.”
“Is that why you wanted to throw me in a cell?”
“That was to keep you safe, I wasn’t sure if you were going to run away or set the mansion on fire.” He said “You look
exhausted, please get some sleep, we can talk about it in the morning”
“What if I leave in the middle of the night?” I asked.
“I will tie you to the bed if I have to little bird.” He said with a tone of seriousness almost daring me.
“Excuse me?” I scoffed.
“We have a busy day tomorrow get some rest.” He said. “Where will you sleep?” I asked.
“Hopefully on top of us.” Rae snickered in my head like a dog in heat.
“In this chair, making sure you don’t get yourself into any more trouble.” He stood up and turned off the light. Then he leaned
back in the chair and closed his eyes.
I laid back on the pillows and pulled the covers up over me.
stared at his handsome face and noticed the full sleeve tattoo on his right arm. His long muscular legs were extended towards the bed and I felt an urge to curl up in his lap.
“Raven?” He whispered. “Yes.”
“What’s your wolfs name?” “Rae.” I said.
“Rae.” I heard him repeat back as he dozed off to sleep.
The sun light was shining through the curtains and I turned my face to bury it in a pillow. His scent was all over the bed and it was like a warm cocoon of comfort and safety I felt the pillow move and realized it wasn’t a pillow after all. It was him!
Dimitri had climbed into the bed with me at some point in the night and I was shamelessly sprawled across his chest with my head buried in his neck. I climbed off him and he opened his
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eyes. He was shirtless and wearing nothing but shorts.
I jumped out of the bed and remembered what happened last
night and where I was at. I wondered if he went to see Odessa
last night, I didn’t smell another scent on him, but the wolves around here regularly masked their scents. “Good morning.” He said.
“I thought you were sleeping in the chair?” I snapped.
“I was getting a neck kink.” He grinned. “The bed is so big climbed on one side and you rolled over to my side.”
“I need my phone; I have to check in on Leo and Rocky.” I said.
“Okay, I’ll have Odessa bring it up. She’s charging it for you.” He said. I glared at him. The thought of seeing his mistress was stabbing at my heart.
“Excuse me, who?” Rae growled in my mind.
“She’s about your size, but a little taller. I’ll ask her to bring some clothes for you too.” His eyes glazed over, and he was mind linking her.
I considered wrapping a sheet around myself for the day, like a Greek toga. It’s what the ancients wore, wasn’t it? This was so uncomfortable, there’s no way I was wearing her clothes. I had just met him; I wasn’t even sure that he really wanted me. What
if he picked her over me? He had killed his first mate, maybe he killed her so he could be with Odessa?
“If you’re going to reject me, you should do it now. I have no intention of sticking around and watching you flaunt
your
girlfriend in my face.” I said. Jealousy, anger, possessiveness, pride was pulsing through me at the same time.
He looked at me standing here, slowly taking me in, wearing nothing but a shirt, hair messy, fists clenched, and face red. Realization had just swept through him.
“You’re so cute. A little maddening but adorable.” He continued to smile.
“What?” I huffed.
He stalked towards me and I backed up into the wall. He placed both of his hands next to my head on each side and leaned in
towards me. His size was intimidating, and he looked down into my eyes. His Alpha aura was strong and the heat from his body was causing all kinds of crazy reactions from mine.
“You’re not jealous are you little bird?” He asked.
“Pfffft, jealous of what?” I rolled my eyes and tried to play it off.
“I will rip her eyes out!” Rae snarled inside of me. “Look at me.” He commanded.
I couldn’t help myself, I looked at him. His eyes came closer to my face and the warm honey color was dazzling, his eyes shifted to my lips and I could feel his urge to kiss me. I bit down on my lower lip trying to restrain my own urge. He brought his hand up to cup my face and lowered his lips close to mine.
There was a knock at the door that brought us back to reality. He stepped back and turned around. “Come in.” He said and moved closer to the door,
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“Good morning.” Her voice rang out and she walked over to Dimitri.
“I’m sorry about last night.” He said.
“What the fuck is he apologizing to her for?” Rae growled in my head.
“I was a little preoccupied last night.” He chuckled.
“That’s okay.” She giggled back and
Wed her arms around
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him to hug him. An involuntary growl
me and they both
turned to look at me. His smile widened and my reaction seemed to amuse him.
“Raven, I’d like you to meet Odessa, my sister.” He smiled, ‘Odessa, this is Raven.” He added.
I felt foolish for a moment, all this time, I thought Odessa was his girlfriend. I’m sure he has mistresses around, I saw him
naked, how could he not have mistresses. I also noticed that he didn’t introduce me as his mate to his sister. This did not escape me.
“I had your underwear cleaned, and I believe this dress will fit you properly. I wasn’t sure about your shoe size, but these
sandals are adjustable.” She handed them to me.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.” I said and stared into the same light honey colored eyes as Dimitri.
“I also charged your phone for you. I’m sure your friends must be worried about you.” She smiled.
“I do have a few calls to make.” I smiled.
“You can call after breakfast; Elaina will have breakfast at the table waiting for us.” Dimitri said.
