Matched

Chapter 7

“Well I had fun tonight,” Dillon smiled at me and I smiled back at him.

“Same,” I replied back as we walked up to my porch. It was dark now. Dillon and I had ended up walking around the woods, joking and laughing. And I actually slightly enjoyed myself. I had successfully pushed my cat to the back of mind and for the first time in weeks, I absorbed myself with Dillon. But I wouldn’t admit it to even myself that I felt different towards him.

“Well…” Dillon trailed off and smiled at me as I leaned against my front door. He was so close I could feel his breath on my cheeks.

“I should go in. I would invite you in, but my dad’s not home,” I grinned sheepishly at him and he chuckled before kissing me forehead. It had no effect on me and Ihatedit.

“I know, my dad went with him, silly,” he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and rested his forehead against mine. He leaned down as I lifted my head and our lips connected. It was a nice kiss, warm and reassuring. The kiss grew quicker and more heated and his hands started to creep lower as my breathing hitched.

A thought crossed my mind. How many days did Dillon and I have left to complete the process? Did Luke and Anna already complete theirs? The others? What about Russel? A sharp pain stabbed at my gut as I thought about Russel. My cat wanted to take over.

But instead I panted out, “How many days do we have left?”

“It’s the 15thtoday,” he mumbled against the skin on my neck as he sucked the sensitive skin there. My knees buckled and I moaned aloud when he found my spot just below my ear.

“Half way there, hmm?” I responded before I nuzzled him on neck. One of his hands wrapped around my back, pushing me closer to him. So close I could hear his erratic heart beat and he could probably hear mine, which was slowing building in pace.

“We could finish it tonight, you know,” he whispered in a low, raspy voice. I started rubbing my lips against his neck lightly, weighing out my options.

I could. He could claim me, make me his. He could shatter the bond that Russel and I had already built. My cat was blinded with lust, so much in fact she was encouraging this even though it was not her “mate”. She was lonely, she needed someone, and even though she knew Russel was the one she wanted, she also knew Dillon was as close as we would get to him.

And I was about to invite him in when my phone rang. How cliché.

We stepped away from each other, awkwardly straightening clothes. I checked the caller ID, saw it was Russel and automatically ignored it.

“S-sorry,” Dillon flushed and I smiled sweetly at him. My blood was rushing through my ears. I stepped up on my tippy-toes and kissed his cheek tenderly.

“It’s okay,” I smiled. “I’ll text you, okay?”

As I turned to unlock my door, he caught me wrist and kissed me again. I kissed back a minute before he pulled away and gave me a show stopping smile. “Bye.”

And with that, I walked into my living room, flopped onto my couch and tried to calm my sputtering heart.

Answer me, dammit.

I jumped at the sudden intrusion in my mind. Russel.

***

Anger.

Anger was my first reaction when I saw Spencer molding herself against Dillon. I knew what I was feeling was wrong, I knew that I should’ve acted like I didn’t care, but I called her. And they broke apart, but she didn’t answer me. So I called again. And again. I was hoping she wouldn’t have to make me use the mind link to get to her, but she did.

Answer me, dammit.I growled at her, my cat slowly possessing my body and I didn’t even care. I almost wanted my cat to take over and show her who her mate was.

Calm down, she responded. Her voice was small in my head.

I won’t calm down. I’m coming over, I growled at her and before she could respond, I was pounding on her door. Her eyes were hard when she opened it and she paused before opening the door more so I could come in.

“What’s your problem?” I accused and shot her a glare. Her hands settled on her hips and she glared right back. Her eyes though, they looked torn.

“I don’t have a problem. Sorry I’m just trying to not get kicked out of my clan, that’s all. You agreed with me when I said we had to fight this,” she motioned between me and her and I caught a clear whiff of her scent. It subconsciously tugged me to her. I took a step towards her.

“I take it back,” I declared. “I want you to myself.”

“You can’t do that!” she cried out. “It doesn’t work that way Russel! God!”

“I’ll make it work,” I promised as I stepped closer to her again. Her face started to redden as her anger grew and I smirked when she stepped back and bumped into the door.

“We can’t do this anymore Russel. We just can’t. I don’t want to do this anymore,” she whispered and her voice was full of rage and contradicting emotions. I was quiet for a moment.

“You don’t want me? You’d rather havehim?” the air rushed out of my gut and I stepped away from her. I never once broke my eyes away from his.

“N-no, Russel,” she tried to recover herself. Her eyes widened and she stepped towards me, putting her hands on my chest. “I didn’t mean-“

“Don’t. Okay? Don’t. I get it,” I gently collected her hands and moved her out of my way before I stormed towards the door.

***

“Wait, Russel, please,” I pleaded to him. I didn’t think he’d take it so personal, I didn’t think… I didn’t think it’d hurt me so much if he were hurt. Tears burned at my eyes, but I wouldn’t let them fall. He swiftly turned around, anger burning in his eyes.

“Do you know what it feels like to not be good enough? Huh? It fucking hurts, okay? It does. Why are you always denying me? Why am I not enough to be your mate? What does he have that I don’t?” he whispered venomously.

“I-I…” I was at a loss for words. I blinked a few times, fighting back the tears, but it was a losing battle. His eyes softened as he looked at me. Every promise I had made to myself earlier vanished as I threw myself at him. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck as I inhaled his scent. “Nothing. He has nothing that you don’t have,” I whispered. “I’m sorry, Russel. I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t respond, but he did wrap his arms around my waist and he rested his head on top of mine.

“Promise me that you’re mine. Please,” he pleaded quietly. So quiet, I almost didn’t hear him.

“I promise,” escaped my lips and I knew from then on that I was too far gone. There was no going back.