Caged

Chapter 17.

Weston stepped beside me as I walked away toward the door. "You know she won't appreciate being bumped out as head bitch in charge. She's used to getting her way."

I laughed and shrugged. "I'm not trying to bump her out of anything, but if she can't handle someone being better than her at something that's on her. I heard she was not happy when Ivy beat her out of her position as head trainer."

He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair. "That's an understatement. She stomped around here like the brat that she actually is. It was awful. But she finally got over it. Somewhat anyway." He said, humor lining his voice as we walked around the pack house.

I pulled my still wet bun from the ponytail holder and let it fall down over my shoulders. The coolness was instant relief to my hot skin. Weston tensed beside me as we made our way around the corner and into the main room of the building. I felt his hand slide down into mine and pull me back toward the long hall leading toward my room. He stopped just down the hall and laced his hand in my other hand, gently pressing me back against the wall and stepping front of me. He released one of my hands and brushed my damp hair away from my face before pulling me into a deep kiss.

Every instinct in my body was telling me to push him off of me, telling me that he wasn't my mate. But then that familiar ache returned to my chest, stabbing my heart and reminding me that my mate didn't even want me. If he didn't want me, why couldn't I try and distract myself from the pain? Why couldn't I let someone else want me?

I felt my body relax into his and I slowly began to kiss him back. His body pressed against mine and both hands were now cupping my face. His tongue licked along the seam of my own, requesting entrance. They parted and his tongue slipped through, exploring my mouth as it dueled with mine. My hand reached up to grip into his arm and he finally broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine as he tried to reign in his breathing. I had to admit my own had gotten away from me and my heart was beating quicker than I'd thought it would.

"You know I could get in big trouble with Alpha for pursuing you." he said lowly. "It's considered treason to go after an Alpha's mate."

I shook my head and pushed him back slightly to look at him. "But he doesn't want me. How could he punish you for going after someone he's essentially rejected?"

He sighed and stroked my cheek softly. "Because until you do, you're his."

My gaze hardened and my hand reached up to pull his hand away from my face. "I don't belong to anyone. Especially him." I said harshly. "He doesn't own me. And if he doesn't want me, then he has no claim on me."

Weston gave me a small smile before pulling back, lacing his fingers in mine. "It just doesn't work that way Lili. But know that if you'll have me, I want you. I'm here when you're ready, should you choose to accept me." He pulled my hand up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles before releasing it and walking away.

How did I get here? How did it come to this?

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, scoffing at Weston's wording. I did not belong to anyone, but especially to someone who could discard me so easily. But had he? I had heard the words come out of his mouth, but his body language betrayed him. 

As if hearing my thoughts about him, his voice suddenly popped into my head. I jumped, still surprised every time it happened. I'd never had any type of pack bond, and never felt anything like another person's voice present in my own mind. 

"Lili, I need you at my office." He said.

"Coming." I replied shortly. 

I slowly made my way down the hall to his office, stopping just in front of the door. I took a calming breath before knocking on the door.