Chapter 10: A Seductive Touch

CONNOR

I sat next to Elaine’s bed, my head resting on my hands as I waited.

“My beta brought you something,” he said, offering me juice and cookies from a nearby table.

I smiled and thanked him.

“The pack doctor said she’s okay.” Leo patted my shoulder, trying to reassure me.

But Elaine didn’t look okay. Her lips were a shade of purple, and her face was paler than I’d ever seen it.

I knew I was to blame for her condition. Seeing Sorin next to her had ignited a jealous rage in me.

The room’s doors opened, and I looked up. Alpha Atlas and my father walked in, their faces serious.

“Leo, leave us,” my father commanded.

I stayed put, bracing myself for his anger. But instead of my father, it was Alpha Atlas who stepped forward, his eyes filled with irritation.

“I know you despise my daughter, and I’m not thrilled she joined this competition either. Now she’s suffering because of you.

“But I won’t stand for you disrespecting and abusing her, even if you are Martell’s son.”

I met his gaze head-on. His eyes were those of a worried father, filled with concern.

“Sorin told us what you did. We could punish you for that,” Alpha Atlas said. My head snapped up.

“Punish me?” I echoed. “You can’t.”

I glanced at Elaine, who lay still. I clenched my hands, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“I can’t be punished for this,” I said, frustration seeping into my voice.

“You can, Connor,” my father said, looking at Alpha Atlas. “The council and all the alphas can banish you for trying to harm the queen.”

“Are you threatening me?” I growled. The audacity of them to threaten me. “I’m the new alpha. You can’t!”

“Yes, we can. This pack isn’t just ruled by the king or queen. The council and alphas have a say here,” my father snapped back.

“I can’t believe you’re trying to become alpha king without knowing the rules.”

My wolf stirred within me as I stood up to face him.

“Don’t give me that crap,” I shot back.

“When Elaine wakes up, the council and all the pack alphas will discuss this with her. If she agrees, you will be punished,” Alpha Atlas said.

“Even though the Moon Goddess forced you two to be mates, we’ll find a way to keep you apart, even if we have to summon the Goddess ourselves.”

I snarled as Elaine moaned. I turned to look at her. Her icy blue eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her gaze.

“Elaine,” Alpha Atlas called, rushing to her side. “How are you feeling?”

I watched them, a pang of jealousy hitting me. I’d never had that kind of interaction with my father.

“I’m so disappointed in you,” my father murmured from behind me. I scoffed, and he didn’t miss it.

“The feeling’s mutual,” I hissed, earning a scowl from him.

My father was about to respond when Elaine turned to us. I lowered my head, a wave of shame washing over me.

“Can we have some privacy, please?” Elaine asked, her voice hoarse.

Alpha Atlas and my father looked hesitant, but they left us alone. Once the doors closed, I lifted my head and met Elaine’s gaze.

“You’re so immature,” Elaine said softly. I sneered at her words. “But you’re smart. It’s just your temper that’s the problem.”

I studied Elaine’s face, trying to figure out what she was thinking, what she wanted from me.

“I’m going to let this go,” Elaine sighed.

“I—”

“But if it happens again, I’ll be the one summoning the Moon Goddess and banishing you from the pack,” Elaine warned.

I looked away, biting back my anger. I needed to stay calm.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to soothe my wolf. This wasn’t going the way I’d planned. I was at a loss for words.

“Help me,” Elaine said after a moment of silence. “I need water. Can you get me some, please?”

I grabbed a water bottle and handed it to her. I watched her in silence. She’d been unconscious all this time, and I’d been drowning in guilt. But now, it was as if nothing had happened.

“Where are we?” Elaine asked once she’d regained her voice.

“The pack hospital,” I replied, sitting back down. “We’ll be here for another day.”

“How long have I been asleep?” Elaine asked, her eyes filled with worry.

“Two days,” I said, studying her face. “It’s my fault you were unconscious for so long.”

Elaine sighed but didn’t say anything.

“Rest,” I told her, but Elaine just chuckled.

“I’m not going to sleep, Connor. I have a better idea.” She smiled at me.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her mischievous grin.

***

“This is good, but remove this.” Elaine pointed at a stack of papers, files we needed to go through for our ceremony.

Usually, someone from the pack handled the paperwork, especially for the decorations and wedding arrangements.

But Elaine thought it would be best for us to do it ourselves, as our first task as the new alphas. I felt more like her assistant than the alpha king.

“What do you think of this?” Elaine asked, pulling me back to the task at hand.

“Sorry, what?” I asked, distracted.

Elaine sighed and set the papers aside. I watched her as she leaned against the headboard, her eyes closed.

I sat next to her on the bed, my eyes wandering over her body. Her thin camisole left little to the imagination.

I swallowed hard, my gaze darting away from her.

“I’m not asking you to do this for me, but at least tell me what you think. We’re both in this together,” Elaine said, her eyes shut tight.

“You pick what you want.” I cleared my throat, trying to sound casual. “I’m okay with anything.”

“Okay,” Elaine sighed, sitting up straighter. “Just help me with this part, then. It’s about our wolves meeting and getting to know each other.”

I glanced at her hair, a fiery waterfall around her shoulders. The faint scent of ginger tickled my nose.

Without thinking, I reached out, twirling a lock of her hair around my finger, bringing it to my lips. My wolf purred in approval.

Elaine turned slowly. She was so close I could feel a shiver run down my spine.

I found myself lost in her blue eyes, as clear and calm as a stormless ocean.

Maybe it was because I’d never been this close to her, but her eyes reminded me of the sky after a thunderstorm, bright and clear, untouched by any pollution.

The more I looked at her, the more I felt drawn to her. I reached out, gently caressing her face. She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch. My wolf purred in delight as her warm skin met my hand.

Elaine pushed the papers off her lap and leaned in closer. I wanted to touch her more, to feel her soft lips against mine.

My heart pounded in my chest, a relentless rhythm that made me forget everything else.

I must have been losing my mind to be doing this. But I couldn’t control what I was feeling.

I just wanted her to stay like this, close enough for me to gaze at, to lose myself in her eyes, her lips, her touch, her warmth.

The emotions welling up inside me made me flinch. Suddenly, I realized what I was about to do. I was about to kiss her.

I quickly stood up from the bed, putting some distance between us. Elaine looked just as surprised, blinking a few times before she finally lowered her gaze, hiding her flushed cheeks.

“I’m sorry.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. “It’s not what you think.”

“It’s okay. I guess I’m to blame too, right?” Elaine chuckled.

I nodded in response and stayed standing. I needed to get a grip on myself. This wasn’t part of the plan, my plan.

“Connor,” Elaine whispered in my ear, making me stumble. Her hand slid down my arm as I closed my eyes and growled. “Connor.”

The sound of Elaine’s voice was doing things to me. My wolf growled at me for not reacting the way he wanted.

“Connor,” Elaine called again, and this time, I turned to look at her. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I managed to say, my breath coming out in a rush.

Elaine frowned, but just cleared her throat, then took a step back. “It seems my wolf wants to meet yours.”

I blinked. It was the last thing I expected to hear from her.

“Your wolf?” I echoed. “Why?”

“I don’t know. She’s insisting.” Elaine frowned. She seemed just as confused as I was.

“It’s not a bad idea for them to meet before the ceremony,” I said, clearing my throat. “Let’s take a break. I need to use the bathroom.”

Elaine looked like she wanted to say more, but I needed some time alone.

With a nod, she picked up her robe and walked with me. I pulled over the chair from earlier, let her sit, and closed the bathroom door.

Once alone, I leaned my head against the door. All of this was too much. I didn’t like it one bit.

“Fuck,” I muttered, my gaze dropping to my pants, where an insistent erection throbbed with desire.