NADIA
"Of course not." He denies quickly, a little too quickly if you ask me.
I squinted my eyes at him in suspicion, not believing his words.
"You are not just useful to me because you are his mate, Nadia. Even if Asher isn't in the picture, I would still choose you. The only thing is that things would be different. I would still want you and choose you over and over again if you aren't Asher's mate but I would never approach you until I find a way to get my position and make sure Asher is out of my way and life for good. I can't afford to lose another lover, Nadia. I barely survived the last one. One more blow to my heart and I would officially be out for good."
I still don't believe his words. My insecurity sets in again and I want to back out from whatever we are doing.
I have been rejected my whole life so it comes as a surprise to me that someone is actually choosing to be with me willingly. Not because the moon goddess forced him to do so by some toxic mating shot but because he genuinely wants to be with me.
That seems a little too good to be true. It is farfetched, and I am finding it hard to believe that someone actually chose me on their own terms.
"I swear by the throne of the moon goddess, Nadia. I would have chosen to be with you if you have no connection to my brother at all. Being his mate only made things easier. It was like a bonus for all my pain and suffering over the years. I would have found another way to get back to the pack but still come back for you. The moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. It was an instant attraction. Something in you drew me in the moment our eyes met and I knew I was never going to let you go for anything in the world. Don't you ever think that I am only using you to get what rightfully belongs to me."
Again, I believe his words. He is too genuine to be a liar.
"Thank you," I said before I could stop myself. "Thank you for choosing me. No one has ever done that for me in my entire life. Everyone made me feel like I am u loved. The one that didn't say it to my face or threaten me like I was unlovable made sure I knew that I was a burden to them. This is a first for me, and I just want to say that I really appreciate you for wanting to be with me even though we ain't mate's."
Before I can blink, Maxwell's lips are on mine in a slow tender kiss that has my toes curling.
I return the kiss, follow every movement his mouth makes in a calculated rhythm. My eyes closed on their own accord, melting into the kiss.
I don't feel sparks like I would have if I am missing my mate but I am satisfied with whatever I can get.
It warms my heart that someone could kiss me with so much tenderness and passion that I find myself smiling through the kiss.
When we pull away, a guard is watching us, a scowl on his face. He isn't even trying to hide his anger and hatred for us.
"How many of us help you?" Maxwell asks while I blushed beetroot red, unable to look into the guards face.
It is very embarrassing to be caught kissing your mate's brother when everyone knows who your real mate is.
"The Alpha has summoned you both for an initiation ceremony. You have thirty minutes to get prepared. I would also be leading you to your quarters, unless you refuse to stay in a place assigned by the pack."
My excitement knows no measures at the news that I am going to become a pack member again.
I am so glad that I would be leaving the rough and dangerous life of a rogue. And of course we would take whatever house the pack assigns to us. Is not like we have any choice.
"We would take the place, thank you." I tell him with a smile, sounding as polite as I can be.
I find no reason to be rude or aggressive to the innovative man. He did nothing wrong to me.
"Come with me then. I would take you both to your quarters before the ceremony starts."
Maxwell helped me up, holding my hand as we followed the guard to our new home.
I didn't mind the fact that we would be staying together. What we are doing is similar to courtship so there is no point in us having separate places when we are going to end up together in the long run.
I was expecting us to be assigned rooms in the pack house or anywhere close to the place but the reverse is the case as we are taken to a place extremely far away from the pack house.
It is obvious that we are but wanted around the rest of the pack members so they take us to the forest that I am sure the only go into for hunting. The place is also one of their pack lands but in an underdeveloped section. Those are the places most likely for intruders to attack the pack through which means that if there is any incident where the pack is attacked, Max and I would be the first victims.
Nice play, Asher. It is a stupid one too if you ask me.
He should have kept pf somewhere very close to the pack house so that he can watch us every time of the day to make sure we have nothing up our sleeves.
"This is where you both would be staying from this moment onward. I hope you like it."
There was something about the way the guard said the last statement that got me scared. I heard the smirk in his voice and I knew that nothing good would come out of it.
I get my answer when Maxwell opens up the door to the new place and I find myself puking my guts out.