claimd and

Taz had invited them back to his place; the walk to his home felt uncomfortable to Elise, especially after what had just happened at the ring and the misunderstanding with Rygan because of it.

Rygan and Alvira’s arms were still entwined as she caressed his forearm and flirted with him through the walk, while Elise, Kaide, and Tazmin followed behind.

Elise was sheltered in the middle of the betas, who conversed as they walked to his home. It was very close to Rygan Mansion but was more privately covered with large trees that surrounded the space. Its entrance felt like a forest, but Elise was behind a beautiful, dark oak mansion.

The pathway was hit by dim lights that gave the whole walkway and home a dark yet majestic ambiance, and right beside his home was an outdoor sitting area with a large bonfire in the middle.

“Make yourselves comfortable, the new couples too, unless you want to have a chance with me instead, Red; I promise I’m good in bed,” he teased with a wink.

“We are nothing like that, so stop teasing her,” Kaide said. Elise silently thanked him and tried to smile back, but she was too engrossed in what Alvira was trying to prove. Elise tried hard to control herself not to look at them before she took a seat.

There was food and alcohol, but Elise refused both. “Come on, Red, I went all the way to human territory for this,” Taz said, and Elise’s ears perked up in intrigue.

“Humans?” She asked, and both betas laughed. It gained Rygan’s attention as he looked away from Alvira, who was upset not tebe sitting on his lap.

“And they gave this to you? I thought it had been taboo for centuries to have any business with them,” Elise asked.

“Well, most packs keep to that tradition of not interacting with them, but southern packs are different, and their wine is as good and their women exquisite!” He called, and Elise cringed.

“I’m joking aside, I’ve tasted the wine more than the women, so just have the wine; I’ll also show you something wonderful I brought from human territory,” Taz said, handing her a cup before he walked into his home through the sliding doors.

“Here,” Kaide called, placing a warm quilt over Elise’s lap to warm her up faster as she took the wine. “Thank you,” she whispered before taking a sip. It had a sweet taste that had Elise’s eyes widening from the taste.

“Is this wine? It’s so sweet,” she said.

“It’s good, right?” He called with a smile, amused by Elise being so happy and intrigued about it, and for a moment, he let his eyes show a fondness for them.

“Wow, aren’t you two a gem? You’re both perfect for each other; why don’t you kiss and call it a day?” Alvira called, and Elise tried to keep a composed smile on her face as she turned to Rygan, whose demeanor was as cold and aloof as ever..

“Alvira…” Rygan warned. Kaide looked like he was ready to rage in anger for Alvira to shut up.

“What? I’m just so elated for you, Elise. You know, after all you suffered, from being a reject to now being treated by royalty by our pack in which your father betrayed, and now you have someone pining over you.”

ar

Now Elise couldn’t take her mocking any longer as she dropped the metal wine goblet near the closest stool by the fire, unaware of how close it was to the burning flame before she faced Alvira

And what do you want me to say, Alvira?” Elise finally responded, baffling the brunette.

“Nothing!” Alvira said, raising both hands in the air, “Nothing at all; at least now I know you will stop taking desperate googly eyes at my betrothed,” she told Elise, whose cheeks flamed.

15:35 Sun, Sep 1 GBG.

“What?” She quippet

“You think I don’t see those lingering gazes at him? He won’t be interested in you if you beg,” she said, and Elise huffed out a peal of laughter, making Alvira bewildered.

“He is yours. Alvira: for someone who you’re about to marry, it must be torture to be so insecure, or has it ever occurred to you that he’s been wanting to be with me instead?” Elise called audaciously; Kaide had not expected that, as he almost choked on his drink.

“Is that what you want, little wolf?” Rygan asked through the telepathic bond. It felt like such a rush to Elise since it had been

while. While she heard or felt him, she ignored him completely and turned away.

“You-you! Ugh!” Alvira stuttered, embarrassed, as her lips floundered open and close, but no words could come out. She looked to Rygan, who was on his second bottle of wine, and his eyes were on Elise, like Alvira wasn’t even there.

Elvira felt so much hatred rush through her core for the Redhead that she then glanced at Elise’s cup, which had been close to the fire, as a dark thought filled her mind.

“It seems I deserved that one; I was just testing you, gosh, Elise, she called, sitting back down. “You know what? Let’s cheer for peace and bury the hatchet behind us, hm?” She called, raising her cup.

Elise looked at Kaide, who insisted they all choose peace. Elise then reached for her cup but was met with the harsh reality of the pain that made her hiss out in agony; her palm was burned

“Ah! Ugh!” Elise cried. Both males became alert and reacted to Elise being hurt as they reached for Elise’s side, but J closer. Rygan had to hold his chair to stop himself from going to her.

Kaide was

Taz rushed out of the noise, the tray of whatever he was preparing abandoned. “What in the moon’s name happened?” He hissed, putting a cool rag on her palm to ease the pain.

“It seems she was far too careless.”

“Shut up, Alvira,” Rygan snarled at Alvira, and the other males flinched in shock, but Elise pushed Kaide’s hand away.

“I’m fine. I’m just a bit tired; I have a bit of medicine left from Vienna anyway; goodbye,” she called, not giving another glance as she trudged down the small steps of the porch.

“Elise!” Taz called back, but she didn’t turn. She didn’t want any of them to see how pathetic she was, so she reached the moon house, climbed up the steps, and kept the stinging pain in check.

But all the more, she left in a hurry, afraid her hand might start glowing like before with Bellamy and she’d heal herself in front of them. She walked into her room and straight to the bathroom, dipping her fingers in the water till it cooled.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her teary eyes, which she quickly dabbed dry. Today felt so s**y, from the incident with Vienna, and now this?! “You’re so freaking st**d, Elise, why would you say that?” She questioned herself. For sure Rygan would reject her this.

She cleaned and dried her palm, carefully preening the edges as she stepped out. She was so concentrated on her hands that she didn’t see who was in her room.

“Elise.” Rygan’s voice echoed as Elise flinched, the towel dropping from her shock, Rygan leaned by the dark walls; she could only make out his eyes that glowed before they tremored back to the normal gray shade.

“Rygan, what are you doing here?”

“You were hurt. I needed to see if you were okay; I know you told no one to follow you,” he said, taking her hands in his, “but I can’t stay away.” She could smell the slight hint of alcohol in his scent, and she tried pulling out her hand from his grip and holding on tighter.

1535 Sun, Sep 1

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“Let me make it feel better,” he muttered. Elise was shocked when she felt a heated breath near her skin, with her index and middle fingers being pushed into Rygan’s hot mouth.

He licked them, coating them with saliva, but Elise was far too stunned and felt like she was dreaming. “Rygan, what are you doing?” she whispered.

“The lick of a powerful alpha can help numb wounds,” he said. wound, and pink aching cunt on fire, however, you want me to,

can also lick you wherever you want and set your body.

e confessed.

He lowered his head, taking her lips into a deep kiss. Elise felt her mind spiraling deep; why could she never fight against him? Why did her senses go astray whenever she was with him? She pulled herself away from his inviting, pink-closed lips and laid a hand on his chest to stop him from going further.

Elise could hardly breathe. “You’re drunk. We promised not to do this, especially not when intoxicated. I can’t believe those words. I can’t..” Elise whimpered.

“Then will you wait for my confession at first light? I am going to end things with Alvira; she isn’t for me, right? She isn’t you,” he called, leaning his forehead against hers till their brows touched.

“Rygan.” Elise

red breathlessly. “Then tomorrow, I will wait, I will… she said to Rygan, who left her room.

The minute Rygan left her room, Elise’s strength waned, and a wave of happiness and relief flooded her system. Her legs felt weak as she slid to the floor. He was going to choose her. He was going to choose her!

She didn’t think she could wait until morning to be with him. Forget self-control. It hurt to see him leave her room, and she was going to tell him how she felt. Elise stood up from the floor with new strength as she walked out of the room and made

her way to Rygan’s chambers with a confession and love for him

It was a mistake she would regret.