Chapter 7: Chapter 7

KYA

Saturday morning is awkward. Owen holds my hand, but it feels so wrong. I should be holding Dec’s hand.

Thoughts of Dec flood my mind. He’s been behaving. He looks forward to hearing from me. He thinks I’m beautiful. I smile to myself. My doubts from last night are still there though. Why does he want me when I broke our bond?

“You’re in a good mood today,” Bianca says from across the table.

I give her a smile. “I slept well, and I haven’t thrown up since Wednesday.” Owen squeezes my hand, and my heart aches. He’s so sweet, but he’s not mine.

I let go of his hand so I can hold my straw as I drink my water. Disconnecting from him already makes me feel better.

After breakfast, I spend time playing video games with Ian and dollhouse with Gretchen. I make lunch, and wash and fold my clothes, then get ready for the concert.

I dress in a black suede vest and low-cut skinny jeans with cowboy boots. Owen holds my hand as we walk into the venue. I really need to talk to him. He asked if I would consider him.

I have, and the answer is no. No to anyone that hasn’t already had a mate. I need a second-chance mate now… Who am I kidding? I need Dec.

The room is huge and packed with people, all werewolves. Spencer walks ahead of us to where everyone else is already gathered around a table. The band is playing a cover that I actually recognize.

Bianca grabs my hand when I am seated. “Oh my Goddess, that drummer is so hot.” I look at the members; the drummer catches my attention. He belongs to my pack. He’s only a few years older than me. He’s a guard named Finn.

I look around the room, but I’m only five feet two. I can’t see past all the people. I kneel up on the stool and look around. I spot Dec sitting at a table with Chase and Alana. I gasp.

My heart beats in my chest. Dec’s table is just in front of the stage. I can see his profile. He’s just as gorgeous as always. I can’t stop looking at him. He’s drinking a beer and bobbing his head to the music.

This is perfect, I can keep an eye on him from here and no one will notice.

Sarah is next to him with her skanky claws holding on to his arm. My chest rumbles as I watch him take her hand and push her away. My mouth drops open.

Eventually, more girls make their way over to him. He sends each and every one away. “~Alpha Redd is avoiding women. I wonder if pigs learned to fly,~” I send a mind-link Dec’s way.

I see him smirk. “~That's not fun… Where are you?~”

I giggle through the link when he realizes I’m close by. He stands up from his stool and looks around. I sit back down so he really has to search.

He starts making his way through the crowd, stopping every few feet to look for me. “I’m going to get drinks,” I tell the group at the table as I hop off the stool.

Owen takes my hand. “I’ll help you.”

I let go with a smile. “It’s okay, I got it.” I step away before he can stop me.

Dec’s scent penetrates my senses before I spot him leaning against the wall near the bar. My heart races. His silver eyes lock onto mine, and his giant smile spreads across his gorgeous face.

He looks me over like I’m a snack and he’s hungry. I don’t mind, because I probably have the same look on my face.

He is looking so tasty. His button-down shirt and jeans cling to his thick muscles, making my mouth water. I swallow to get some self-control.

He approaches me slowly. “Kya. You look fucking hot.” His words make my heart beat faster.

“Declan. Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.” That’s a safe subject, right? He steps closer to me. I put my hand on his chest to stop his advances. “No.”

He stops. “Anything you say. I’m just happy to see you.”

I raise my brow. This could be fun. “Really? Alpha Redd will do as he’s ordered?”

He doesn’t even flinch. “For you, yes.”

I smirk. “All right. Get on your knees.”

He tilts his head and kneels in front of me without breaking eye contact. Even on his knees he’s just as tall as me. “What else can I do for you? Just name it.”

I shake my head. “You can stand up. I was just messing with you.”

He smiles as he towers over me. “You smell so intoxicating.” He leans in closer, his hands against the wall on either side of me.

My eyes close as his nose runs up my neck. “Dec. I’m still upset with you.”

He pulls back to look in my eyes. “I’ve been good, I swear. You can ask anyone.”

I shrug my shoulder. “Oh my, Alpha Redd hasn’t gotten any in three weeks. You need to be careful. You wouldn’t want your dick to fall off from lack of use.”

He lifts my chin up to look in his eyes. His chest rumbles. “Be careful talking so dirty to me, little one. I’m barely hanging on as it is.”

I swallow as the intensity of his words dig into my chest. He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Three weeks, I swear it feels like it’s been an eternity.”

I totally know how he feels, but I’m not telling him that. “If this feels like eternity, what are you going to do when I’m in college?”

His hand drops down to my waist. His touch is warm and comforting. “I’m going to suffer through it and count down the days until I can see you.”

His nose goes up my neck again. I close my eyes, hypnotized by his breath on my skin. He whispers in my ear. “I’m dying to kiss you.” I lose control and turn my head.

His lips crush against mine, his arms wrapping around me. His tongue caresses my lips, and I open them slightly in response. He seizes the opportunity and takes control of my mouth. His lower body stiffens against my belly.

I pull back abruptly. I’m breathing heavily and I’m angry at myself. Damn it, I let him get to me. I close my eyes. “Step back, please.”

I feel the pressure from his body leave me before I open my eyes. “Sorry, Ky, I lost control. It won’t happen again.”

I close my eyes again, an angry tear leaking from one. He wipes it away before I get the chance to.

“Don’t, please. Dec. I don’t trust you. I’m angry, and I’m hurt. What you did…” I growl thinking about that scene that will forever haunt me.

“I know, Kya. What I did was cowardly and disrespectful. I never meant to hurt you. I, we were in a bad situation, and I panicked and made it worse.”

I cross my arms in front of me protecting me from the picture burned into my mind. I’m brokenhearted all over again. “I haven’t forgiven you. I can’t get that image, those words out of my head.”

He puts both hands into his pockets. “I know. I understand."

I run my fingers through the front of my hair. I’m frustrated that I have no reply.

“Who are you here with? I can smell a male on you,” Dec suddenly says.

I nod. “Yeah. I’m here with a group of friends. I was going to get drinks for everyone when you found me.”

Dec takes my hand and leads me to the bar. “How many?” He cuts through the line and gets right to the front. Alphas.

“Seven.”

He pulls out his wallet and drops some cash on the bar. “Eight beers," he tells the bartender. He takes two in each hand between his fingers. I grab the remaining four and follow his lead through the crowd.

He stops when he realizes he doesn’t know where he’s going. I step around him and lead the way. I place the bottles on the table, Dec just behind me.

Everyone straightens up, feeling Dec's alpha power. No one moves to grab a drink, so I push them to everyone and grab mine. Dec couldn’t care less. He taps my bottle then we both drink.

“Everyone, this is Dec.” I go around the table with the introductions. Not that he’ll remember, he’s terrible with names.

Melissa is the first one to shake his hand. “Hi. Thanks for the beer.” Cameron stiffens behind her, but Dec is used to the behavior of mates and doesn’t bat an eye.

“You’re welcome. But looking at all of you, I’m guessing you’re all underage.”

Bianca giggles. “Never stopped us before.”

Dec smiles, shrugs his shoulder, and takes a drink from the bottle. “Me neither. Don’t be shy.”

Spencer doesn’t hold back and grabs his beer. “You’re Alpha Redd, right?” Dec nods once. Spencer continues speaking. “You’re legendary. Everyone knows how good you are with the ladies."

I bite my lip as my heart is pierced yet again. Dec gives me a side-glance. “Those days are behind me.”

Owen snorts. Dec turns to him. “You’re Alpha Roberts’s boy, if I’m not mistaken.”

Owen stands up straighter, but Dec is still at least three inches taller. “That’s right.”

Dec places his hand around my waist and kisses the top of my head. “Thanks for looking out for her while she’s staying with her aunt.”

I glare at Dec. “~What are you doing? Don’t start any trouble.~”

His hand caresses me across my back to grip my hand.

“~Just checking his intentions. As an alpha, I know a threat when I see one. He has a thing for you and he’s looking out for his own interests. This boy is not yet an alpha. He should know where he stands.~”

Owen steps up. “Someone had to take care of her after you left her hanging.”

Dec gives a deep growl and mind-links me, “~See what I mean.~” I roll my eyes.

“Stand down, boy. You don’t know anything about my mate.”

Owen doesn’t back down. “She rejected you. She’s not your mate anymore.”

Dec smirks. “That’s what I thought, you’re still just a pup. An alpha would know better. Rejection has to happen on both sides for the bond to break. She’s still mine.”

My mouth drops open. We’re still mates? Still bonded?

No wonder I still ache for him and need to hear his voice. It also explains why he hasn’t gone looking for someone else. But the book said that once the bond is broken, it can’t be repaired.

Owen growls and I snap back to the present. I step between the two with my hands pushing them apart. Dec takes a step back, but I know it’s only because of me.

“Enough you two.” I turn to Dec. “Can we talk?”

Dec nods, but his eyes never leave Owen’s. Owen has yet to move. I look to Damon; he nods to me. I turn to Owen.

“Owen, you know you’re out ranked. He’s an alpha, stand down.” Damon grips Owen’s shoulder and pulls him away.

Dec takes my hand and leads me back to the wall next to the bar. I feel the subtle tingling sensation every time he touches me.

“I really hope I don’t have to kill anyone tonight,” he grunts.

“Dec!”

His eyes soften. “Ky. I can’t change the past. If I could, I would. I know I don’t deserve you, but I’m going to do everything I can to fix that. I promise you.”

I reach my hand up to the scar on his face. He leans into my touch. “We’re still mates?”

He nods. “Yeah. We have half a bond right now, which is why it’s so painful and we still can’t stay apart. We can still mark and mate, or I can reject you and cut the tie, which I don’t have any intention of doing. The Moon Goddess paired us together for a reason. We’re not finished.”

I have a lot to process. I do still feel the pull, just not as much as that night.

“You’re not going to believe this, but she spoke to me, the Moon Goddess. She told me to fix my mistake,” Dec continues, his hand gently covering mine.

“Ky. I’m going to fight for you. I know I screwed up.”

A tear leaks from my eye. “I believe you. She spoke to me too. She told me the same thing.”

Dec’s thumb wipes my tear away. He reaches in his pocket, then places something in my hand. I look at the light bundle of scrunched-up metal. “You dropped this. I’ve been hanging on to it for you.”

My bracelet. I bite my lip as I look up at him. He had no idea I would be here, which means he just so happened to have it on him. It even smells like him.

I put it back in his hand. “Will you help me put it on, please?” He smirks as I hold out my arm. He fastens my bracelet, then kisses the back of my hand.

Chase growls deep in his chest beside me. “Stand down, Chase. I’m not going to hurt her.” Dec doesn’t even look his way.

I smile up at my brother and give him a hug. “He’s telling the truth. We’re just talking. Where’s Alana?”

He tilts his head toward the stage. “I left her with her skanky sister.”

I look at Dec with my brow raised, letting him know I know about his escapade with Sarah. He clears his throat.

“I called Alana over. She’s on her way,” Chase tells us.

“~Exactly how many~ ~have you had?~”

Dec scratches the back of his head and looks anywhere but at me as he mind-links me back. “~I didn’t really keep track. I was drunk with most of them and I don’t even remember some of their names.~”

“Kya! I was wondering if you made it or not. Where is everyone?” I give Alana a hug, then look toward Chase. Alana grabs Chase’s hand and leads him away.

Sarah stares at Dec too long. I growl in my chest. She sneers at me then follows Alana.

Dec looks back to me. I fold my arms across my chest. “Man-whore.”

He stands defeated before me. “I’m twenty-four, Ky. When father retired and I still didn’t have you, I thought I’d never find my mate. Alphas always have a luna before they take over a pack. Always.

“I gave up hope. I never dreamed it would be you. I’m honored that the Moon Goddess paired me with you. I should have waited for you.”

I close my eyes and nod. I let out a breath before looking back to him. “You were my first kiss just now.”

He gives me a gentile smile. “I know.”

I bite my lip. I feel his heart calling to mine. “Be my second, too.”

He wraps his arms around me, almost crushing me to him. His lips are demanding, but I comply. His fingers lace into my hair as he holds my head.

I’m locked into him so tight, there’s no way I could possibly free myself. And I don’t want to. I have shivers going up and down my body.

When I can no longer breathe, I pull back. He responds letting me loose. He pecks my lips a few more times before we pull apart. I go back in for one more. I can’t get enough of him, of this feeling. His lips are smooth and soft.

My teeth graze his lips, and he grunts. He pulls back, breathless. “Keep it up, and I’ll drag you back home with me.” I shake my head and breathe deeply.

I hold his hand and lead him back to the table. “~Behave. Owen is probably devastated. I know he likes me. I didn’t know that you and I are still mates, so I didn’t stop his advances.~”

Dec nods once. “~I’ll try to behave for my beautiful mate. No promises though.~”

Dec stands beside my stool while I bob from side to side, trying to see the band. He rolls his eyes and whispers in my ear.

“Shorty.” He pulls me off the stool and sits down, then places me on his lap like a little kid.

I lean into his chest. On occasion, he runs his nose up my neck or smells my hair; otherwise, he behaves and keeps his hands wrapped around my belly or on top of the table.

Owen continues to look my way throughout the evening while Sarah continues checking out Dec. Every once in a while, I feel Dec’s chest rumble.

Owen sneers and looks away, returning his eyes to the band. Damon is sitting between the alpha and the soon-to-be alpha. He catches my eye and gives me a friendly wink.

“~Is he a friend, or will I have to kill him too?~” Dec mind-links me.

I relax into Dec. “~Stop it. He’s Owen’s beta. He’s a friend. Owen isn’t bad.~”

Dec’s hand caresses my thigh as he kisses my neck. “~I should just mark you now. Get all of these mutts away from you.~”

I elbow him in the ribs. “~Absolutely not. There will be no marking or mating in public. That didn’t work out well for you last time, remember?~”

He grunts and rubs the sore spot on his ribs. I know I didn’t hit him very hard. “~I could never forget. That was the first time you ever looked at me with hurt on your face. It broke my heart, then, you rejected me and broke it again.~”

I swallow down the pain as much as possible. “~Who broke whose heart?~” Dec picks me up and carries me outside.

“Dec, what are you doing?”

He drops the tailgate of Chase’s truck and sits me down. He places his hands on either side of my legs and leans into my face.

“I, Alpha Declan Thomas Redd, swear to never reject you, Kya Samantha Mason. I’m not letting you go. That night was a mistake, one I plan to fix. You are mine, Kya.”

My heart beats wildly as I feel the power of his words. I bite my lip to stop it from trembling. Dec takes my cheeks in his hands; he kisses me with determination.

I kiss him back, then pull away before I lose all the control I have. I know it’s the bond that is making me want him. I push him away from me.

Tears spring from my eyes. “Dec, you couldn’t wait. You had to turn into some jerk, and you broke my heart. How can I trust you? You didn’t respect me. You didn’t respect our bond, so I broke it.

“You think it was easy? You think I just did it on a whim? I’m not some slut that will willingly crawl into your bed because you say some sweet words. You want an easy lay, go find Sarah.” I swipe my tears off my face.

“Kya, I will forever regret the pain that I caused you. I am truly sorry for what I’ve done. I’m not after you to get you in bed. I care about you. You, Kya.”

I don’t know what to say. I know Dec. I know the kind of person he is, or was. He has always been a good guy. I shake my head then hop down from the tailgate.

I walk back into the club and find the girls, minus Sarah, waiting for me. They follow me into the ladies' room.

Alana hugs me as I cry into her shoulder. Bianca and Melissa have their arms crossed over their chests. Melissa is the first to ask. “What happened? You two looked all cozy, then he just took you outside.”

Bianca hands me a paper towel. I wipe my eyes and blow my nose. “He’s my alpha, we were talking through the link. I just don’t know how I can trust him.”

Alana hands me my beer, which I quickly begin to nurse. “He’ll have to prove himself. But you have to decide if you want to let him.”

Melissa takes my empty bottle and throws it in the trash. “Do you want to be with him? I mean, I know he’s your mate, but you did reject him, I assume for good reason,” Melissa says.

Alana gives me a questioning look. The few people that are aware of the situation are people that I love and trust. I don’t feel like going back down that rabbit hole with girls I’ve only known for a week.

“Yes, it was for good reason. You all heard him. He’s not going to reject me. I have to suffer through until I finally do trust him enough to be with him.”

I decide to send him a mind-link. “~Dec, you said you’ll do anything for me? Prove it. Leave.~” I lean against the counter in the bathroom.

“~Kya, please. Anything but that.~”

I bite my lip and push him harder. “~I knew it. You’re all talk. I can’t trust you. You haven’t changed.~”

He cuts me off. “~Kya, stop. I'll leave. Once. I'll walk away tonight, but it will not happen again. I'm not letting you go.~”

Alana wraps her arms around me. “We’re taking off. I’ll see you at school.”

I hug her back. “Bye, Lan.”