Benedict
“What is this I hear about you going on a date with Sloane on Friday?” Bethany asks when we get in the car on Monday after school.
“Seriously, how are you so tuned in to what is going on?” I ask, once again amazed at my sister’s ability to keep up with everything going on around us.
“When your name, Sloane’s name, or Slade’s name comes up, pay attention. When two of those names come up at the same time, push my nose into whatever conversation is going on to find out more. So? Is it true?”
“Yeah, it’s true,” I say grinning.
“How did you make that happen?”
“What? You don’t think I have moves?” I ask, looking at my sister as I pull out of the parking lot.
“I don’t think ‘moves’ work on Sloane,” she says.
“I have different moves for her. Special moves, moves that are only for her,” I say, thinking about how she looked so startled she couldn’t even answer me when I asked her out.
“Mhmm,” she says, narrowing her eyes at me. “So, where are you taking her and what are you going to tell mom?””First, it’s none of mom’s business who I go out with,” I begin.
Bethany snorts, but I keep going. “And I haven’t decided yet. I don’t think she’d like an expensive restaurant.”
“Oh, so your usual is out,” Bethany says, smirking at me.
“Yeah, it is, but that’s okay. Like I said, I have different moves for Sloane.”
“Well, my brother, it’s a good thing that you have some time, because I’m pretty sure that you have a shot with Sloane and if you blow it, there will never, EVER, be another one. And whatever you do, keep this hidden from mom.”
I wish it were that simple. But gossip doesn’t just travel like wildfire at school. That gossip finds its way to the packs and therefore, it found its way to my mother.
As soon as I walked into the packhouse on Monday after school, I was assaulted by my mother.
“Benedict Winslow, V, I would like to have a word with you.”
‘Damn, Bethany mouths to me.
I feel my mouth pressing into the same sour expression that I’ve seen on my mother’s face recently. Because l know it’s a bitter expression, I force my face into a blank slate, showing no emotion.”Yes, mother?” | ask, walking in into the room where she’s. standing. I don’t put my backpack down, a clear sign that I’m not staying long.
“What is this I hear about you having a date on Friday night.”
“I have a date on Friday night. I’m eighteen and I’m a couple of weeks away from becoming the Alpha of this pack. I don’t need your permission to go out on a Friday night or any night.”
Her mouth purses into that sour expression. Please goddess don’t ever let me ever make that face.
“And who are you going out with?”
“That is none of your business,” I say.
“I am your mother. Of course it’s my business.”
“I’m an adult. You have no say in who I go out with, so no, it’s not your business.”
“It’s HER, isn’t it?” she growls.
“You know mother,” I say, stepping into the room and letting my aura out. “I’m beginning to think you’re jealous of Sloane Hartwell.”
“Why would I possibly be jealous of her?”
“She’s descended from a line of pure Alphas, Alphas who were fated mates. But you and dad had to reject yourmates to keep this bloodline clean, didn’t you. That has to really stick in your craw.”
“We don’t know who her father was. But since she no longer carries the white wolf line, I think we can ascertain that he wasn’t an Alpha,
“she says, smirking.
“And yet, her aura is as strong or stronger than mine. It’s definitely stronger than yours. Tell me mother, why is it okay for you to have hoped that I would have been mated to a Beta female in our pack? Isn’t the whole purpose of our lineage to maintain the Alpha bloodline? And yet, you were hoping that I was mated to Cynthia, weren’t you?
Don’t deny it. I already know the truth.”
Her mouth purses in that sour look again.
I take another step towards my mother. “Are you so terrified that Sloane Hartwell will be my mate that you are willing to water down our lineage just to keep me away from her?”
“There are other Alpha females out there, Benedict.”
“Yes, mother, I’m aware. You’ve been shoving them down my throat for years. I don’t want them.”
“Then, you are a fool.”
I feel her body tense.
I run my fingers over her cheek. “Trust me, Sloane. I’ve been thinking about this all week. If I blow it, you can let me know. But I don’t think I did.”
She searches my face, as if expecting to find some hidden agenda. Rather than let her second guess me, I lean in and press my lips to hers. You’re missing out! This book was meant for j о Ƃ η і b . 𝓬 о m, but if you’re reading it elsewhere, it’s a copy. Get the real experience at J о b n і ƃ . c о m, where all our original chapters are shared first.She gasps and her body jolts, but I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue into her mouth, and growling at her taste. Fuck her honey taste is even sweeter than remember.
I cup her face and lean my body against hers, pressing her against the car as I greedily taste her.
I feel her body relax as her hands come up to my sides, gripping onto my shirt.
I don’t want to stop kissing her. I would love nothing more than to continue kissing her for hours, but I want to get her away from here, away from the prying eyes of the other students and teachers.
Reluctantly, I pull away from the kiss. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
I know the minute reality comes rushing back. Her cheeks turn a beautiful shade of pink.
I wink at her, stepping back and pulling her away from the car so can open the door for her.
When she gets in I close the door, putting our bags in the backseat before walking around the car to the driver’s side. As I do, I see what looks like the entire student body watching us. Good. No one better try to start something with my girl.
That thought makes me pause. When did she become ‘my girl’?When you kissed her at our birthday party, Marrok says.
As usual, when Sloane’s around, he’s completely focused on her.
When I get in the car, Sloane is staring out the front windshield. “Everyone is staring at us.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you the center of attention. I know you hate that. You just taste so good, Sloane.”
She looks at me, her cheeks turning that same lovely shade of pink.
“Stop blushing,” I growl. “You’re just making me want to kişs you again.”
When she licks her lips, I growl even louder, leaning over and taking her mouth in another possessive kiss.
The thing about Sloane is, she isn’t doing it to be sexy. She is just being herself. And THAT, is sexy all on its own.

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