Fatal Temptation: Between Two Alphas
Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

This woman...she lights me up.

"Thank you, Jace."

I'm not ready to tell her she's my mate. She doesn't press for a reason, and I'm glad I don't have to make something up.

And unlocking her shackles...that was a direct violation of loyalty to my own people. It sits like a brick in my stomach, what I did.

My father didn't give a flying fuck about this woman. She was an outsider. A witch. He didn't trust her. He told me to tear out her throat and cast her into the flames the moment Mia's sentence was delivered. There was a time when I would've carried out such an order without batting an eye. But I've seen the Elders' form of 'justice' and I know my Father would just as soon bury a problem rather than deal with it. The fact remains though...I've betrayed my own people.

Yeah, it was to save Mia. And, yes, it was just to give Morgan a chance to escape because I couldn't stand there and watch them burn her alive.

But no matter my justification, what I did was wrong.

I could be executed for my treason. At some point, I know, I'll need to come clean about my actions, and I'll have to deal with the inevitable fallout.

"Jace?" Morgan's voice is soft. Her pretty eyes are questioning.

"Come on," I say. "This way."

I lead us along the trail. As we move further away from the pack, there's less scattered light. I can see fine. She stumbles a bit and I automatically take her hand. It feels right.

I live in a moderately-sized home half a mile from the main house. All my family lives close, with my dad having moved into a smaller dwelling, no longer the Alpha.

Or at least, he had been living there until Cam fell ill.

We walk slowly and when my home comes into view, I watch her reaction.

She sucks in a breath. "What is this place?"

I've been many things in my lifetime-soldier, brother, architect, engineer.

This house is a point of pride for me. I've always had a thing for practical creation, and I've designed more than half the new homes in our pack. Though most of us work within the pack's corporation, some of us specialize in other things that help us as a whole.

I'll pursue my passion for architecture someday. In the immediate future, we have a board of investors to placate and Ashley's mess to clean up. I can play the corporate role required, I can do my part.

"This is my home," I say, realizing Morgan is waiting for my answer. "It's off the grid, big enough for when I finally have a family, and simple enough to suit my needs for now."

We walk up the steps and I open the door.

She strolls inside the modern home, spinning slowly to take in the space as I switch on the lights. She nods. "I'm surprised to find it tastefully decorated."

"You expected cardboard boxes and stumps for seats?"

She smirks. "Something like that."

I have a highrise apartment in the city and multiple investment homes dotted along the east coast. I own a villa in Tuscany. A condo in the Cayman's. Someday, I'll share those things with her.

I wish I didn't find her so attractive, but her strawberry-blond curls frame a face I can't stop thinking about. Her lips are so lush, I can't look at her without staring at that mouth. She bites her lower lip when she's uncomfortable.

Or aroused. An obvious tell.

She's doing it now, and I can't help stalking her until her back is against the wall.

"Wh-what are you doing?" She clears her throat and tries to push me back with a finger to my chest.

"I'm making sure you don't go anywhere you shouldn't." I lean close and inhale her scent. It's stronger, warmer, at the crook of her neck.

Damn, she smells fine. I lick her.

She jolts. "What the heck was that?"

I groan. Thane wants a taste too. And it's not good to begrudge my wolf.

Or at least, that's my excuse.

I can feel him grinning at me, relishing her reaction to what I'm about to do.

"Jace?"

"I'm sorry, Morgan. But my wolf is demanding to get to know you."

"Your wolf?" She raises a brow, and my wolf shines in my eyes. The flash of gold brings her features into startling focus.

I can feel the furry bastard grinning.

She blinks. "Oh, okay."

That's all we need to hear. I smile against her mouth when she rises up on her toes to meet me.

Her lips... damn her lips are as soft as I knew they'd be.

Her tongue caresses mine, marking a rhythm that has a growl rumbling deep in my throat. I rock my hips against her.

She wants to set that pace...yeah, I can keep up.

She hums her approval and my wolf laps it up.

She feels so good against me. I'm aching for her, and she's dragging me closer, her hands at my nape and playing with my hair. I need her. To mate, watch her grow full with my young.

I reach the buttons of her shirt, palm her breasts and squeeze.

Her nipples are hard, and she moans my name.

Her voice is soft and filled with wonder. "Jace."

She's the one. If I had any doubts, just having her mouth beneath mine has dispelled them. I lick my lips. I'm in love with the taste of her.

"Is it safe for us here?"

She means my pack. I rest my forehead against hers and wrap my arms around her.

She was a threat before that bit of hellfire she unleashed...

Getting them to not kill her will be a task enough, but gaining their protection?

I'll need to talk to Cameron.

My brother needs to know what's happened, what I've done, and how I feel about this woman. Actions will have to be taken. Maybe not tonight, but soon enough.

"I'm going back for those samples," I tell her. "You know that, right?

She draws back and as she does, I see something in her eyes that makes my blood run cold.

"Jace, I can't let you do that..."

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