Only Her- ON HOLD

Chapter 12.

Ki shot me a quick nod and stepped out of the room. I heard a snarl sound behind him before Noah walked through, shutting the door behind him and turning to face me.

His nose picked up the lingering scent on my skin and his eyes swirled dark, his wolf pushing to the front of his mind. "You let him touch you?" He growled.

My eyes widened before my own anger flipped to the front of my mind. "Not intentionally Noah. It was only for a second. It's over now. Just stop."

"He shouldn't have laid a hand on you. He's unmated and you're..."

My hands flew up and the irritation snapped through my voice quickly. "...not your possession! I can take care of myself Noah. He's my friend. He didn't mean anything by it. I'm capable of deciding what and whom I hug."

Even as I spoke I knew he was right. Once a female was mated, it was not acceptable for an unmated male to touch her, but I hated being treated this way. Like I was his fragile doll.

"Dani, you know..."

"Yes I know. I know how this all works. I'm not stupid. But if I choose to let my friend hug me goodbye I'm entitled to handle that. I don't need your permission Noah. If this is going to work, I need you to know that. I need you to understand me and trust me."

I knew he did. He'd seen into my soul, into my deepest parts of mind during the link. He could still if I let him. He knew who I was and I him.

"Dani, you have to understand. The bond is new with us, and it's impossible for me to not be upset when someone else touches you that isn't me." His voice was low and strained, but I could hear him fighting to control himself.

I nodded and closed the distance between us, pressing my hand to his chest as his hands instinctively wrapped around my waist. "I understand Noah. I know that I'm yours, and you're mine. I need you to let me be me though. I can't lose myself. I just got it back."

I shuddered as the long months following my brother's death pushed into my mind and I tried to shake it off, but Noah's eyes said he'd seen it. A sadness crept into his own gaze and he leaned down to place a gentle kiss on my lips.

"I can only promise I'll try," he whispered.

I nodded and he pulled away, turning me to the bathroom. "Now come on. We have to get ready for tonight. And if you think I'm leaving you right now you're wrong."

I turned over my shoulder to argue but he just kept pushing me towards the bathroom. "We have plenty of time Noah. I don't need..."

He stopped and pulled me hard back against his firm chest as his hands gripped into my skin before leaning down to nip the freshly healed mark at the crook of my neck. A pleasurable tingle ran through me and heat ignited in me as a small gasp escaped my lips. My hand flew up to grip into his hair as his tongue ran over my mark. "I know, but I need more time."

His breath was hot against my skin and I immediately turned to snake my hands around his neck, crashing my mouth into his. He reached down and easily slid my legs up to wrap around his waist and carry me into the bathroom, turning the water on. He gently dropped me to my feet and we quickly undressed before climbing into the steamy shower.

I let the warm water melt together with his touch and wash over me as the bond enveloped us into a steamy cocoon. This was all I needed. Just him. All of him.

———

I ran the towel through my dripping hair as I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply as I tried to reign in the overwhelming feeling surrounding me. I'd allowed myself to complete the mate bond with the Alpha's son against his wishes. He would not respond well and I wasn't quite sure how to prepare myself for that.