The Mark of a Beta

eight

Cooper's POV

I'm slightly horrified by the rage overtaking Axel. Not quite sure what has his fucking panties in a twist, but I should probably start explaining myself so I don't release a rabid wolf on everyone downstairs.

"Who. Was. That?" he growls out. He sounds more like a wolf than a man, and I now realize that he was jealous of Dan. We just met for lunch, it wasn't a big deal.

Fuck, my mate is possessive.

It's kind of hot if I'm being honest.

"Don't worry, he was just a friend," I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. I've heard that a mate's touch can be calming.

Apparently not. Axel still seems fucking livid and he shrugs off my hand with a scoff.

"A friend? He looked ten years older than you!"

"I have a lot of older friends," I shrug. His eyes widen and dilate at that, and I once again feel like we're on two separate wavelengths. If he would just talk to me this wouldn't be an issue. Instead, he slowly paces in front of me. He gets into a rhythm and I find myself trailing him with my eyes like some fucking psycho.

Axel pauses his motion and turns to me. His eyes trace the outline of my lips and then they travel down my body until they reach my sweatpant-covered dick. This horny motherfucker can't get enough of me, can he?

I do admit to wearing one of my slightly tighter pairs of sweatpants for this specific reason. He's not the only one who gets to tease.

"You're lying," Axel says matter-of-factly. I cross my arms and glare at him. Who the fuck does he think he is calling me a liar? He doesn't fucking know me!

"I'm not lying! Why the hell would I lie?" I'm so frustrated. He can't just waltz in here and accuse me of lying without any sane reasoning!

"You're telling me that he is just your friend? The two of you only have a platonic relationship?" He raises an eyebrow in my direction, practically daring me to contradict him.

"Yes! He is happily mated to a woman! He's not gay and I sure as fuck am."

He just stares at me, dissecting the truth from my statement.

"He's not your dom or daddy or some shit-"

"Fuck no! Ew, Dan is not into that and is definitely not my type." I shudder just thinking about Dan in that way. "His kids are adorable, by the way."

That seems to relax Axel. Finally. He crosses the room again and places a hand on either side of my head as he leans against the wall. He isn't touching me, but the closeness is driving me wild as I'm cornered.

"You're not lying to me? I hate lying," he says, softer than anything I've heard him say in the past 24 hours. For a moment, I have a glimpse of the true Axel, the man underneath all of the barbed wire and teeth and claws that guard his soul. I see the vulnerability and desperation for love and approval.

I boldly place my hands on his cheeks and lean in so our noses are touching. His breath catches. I'm pretty fucking proud of that.

"I promise I'm not lying. I would never lie to you."

I initiate the kiss this time, my hands traveling to the back of his neck as I pull him closer to me. Once again, his kisses are making my heart flutter to the point where it's entirely possible I'm having a fucking heart attack on top of kissing my mate.

I maintain control for a minute as I tilt my head to the side and reach my tongue into his mouth to brush up against his. Fuck this feels good.

I know that I just met him yesterday, but I'm definitely falling for him. I just want to get to know him and learn what makes him tick. He's a fucking mystery to me and I can't wait to unravel him. I wonder if he likes pranks?