DIVORCED and MARRIED to Ex- Uncle

Ready

9. Athena

"Ready?" Lorenzo’s voice cut through my swirling thoughts, dragging me back to the moment. I turned toward him, feeling the weight of the silence thick in my throat.

"Yes." I nodded, the word slipping out, though unease churned in my gut.

This wasn’t right—none of it was. Being yanked away from the wedding without warning then thrust into some unknown situation before I even had a chance to meet up with Raven. She would never forgive me for not saying goodbye. She would be very angry with me when I told her that I couldn't go back home and I didn't know when I would be returning.

Who even orchestrated this? Lorenzo was as vicious as the rumours had. In fact, the rumours didn't do him any justice.

"But I’m not happy with how you handled things," I sighed, my gaze drifting toward the window. "I should have gone home first. My friend—Raven—she will be furious. I didn’t even get to tell her what happened," I bit down on the frustration rising in my chest since I wanted to appear pitiful.

Raven had been good to me. She had been a sister I didn't have. In fact, she qualified to be called my family.

She had been there for me, standing by my side even when the whole world turned away from me. How am I supposed to just disappear into thin air without informing her? That isn’t right in all aspects.

I didn’t expect Lorenzo to understand. How could he?

"I know she took you in when you left my nephew," he replied, his tone sharp enough to make me turn. His eyes locked with mine, not a flicker of doubt in them.

"You knew?" I stammered, my surprise slipping out, but his steady nod only deepened my confusion. "How did you find out?"

He smirked, the corners of his lips tugging up in a knowing curve. "You think I’d just involve myself with someone I didn’t know anything about? You should know me better than that," he said with a smile that said that I had underestimated him.

This man!

"You were stalking me?" My voice pitched higher.

"No, no! It’s not stalking." His casual dismissal only made my irritation flare. I turned my eyes back to the road ahead, knowing full well I wouldn’t win this argument. Not with him. Lorenzo Massimo had a way with words, and right now, I wasn’t in the mood to be outmanoeuvred.

"I’ll deal with that later," he said with a shrug, his focus returning to the road as he started the engine again. "For now, brace yourself to meet my pack. Or…"

“What?” I asked but he just broadened his smile. He was enjoying everything that was going on here.

“Nothing.” I sighed, turning to the road. But sure as the sun, that he was hiding something from me. Though I didn't know, I was still sure.

We had been on the road for over an hour now. We had just stopped to grab something, and now we were back, hurtling down the Chicago highways.

How far was the Moon Stone Pack from Chicago Town?

All my life, the Moon Stone Pack had loomed like a giant in my mind. The largest pack, according to the rumours with over five thousand wolves. I had always heard that wolves didn’t like being part of such large groups, that it was too difficult to control such destructive creatures. A small pack, like Javier’s, was easier to manage, easier to rule.

But Lorenzo Massimo ruled over five thousand. Ten times the number of Javier’s pack.

How powerful was this man? And how loyal were his wolves?

Well, I would find out soon.

"Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart." His low voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to find him staring at me with those dark, intense eyes. His gaze lingered, and I could feel his heartbeat even from where I sat.

Suddenly, he moved even closer to me, making my breath stop as I looked at his devilish features. The man was beyond handsome. If this was how the devil looked like, then I was ready to burn in hell… willingly.

His hair which was neatly combed earlier was now dishevelled and some of the dark strands were rolling down his forehead, hiding his honey eyes. I had the urge to run my hand through his strands and push them behind his head and feel if they were as silky as they looked but I bit my lower lip, stopping myself from my crazy thoughts.

This was no other man but Lorenzo Massino himself!

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely a murmur as he moved so close to me that it was hard for me to breathe freely. "You should focus on the road—"

Before I could finish my statement, the car jerked violently to a stop, my head flying toward the dashboard. But before the impact could come, Lorenzo’s arm wrapped around me, pulling me tightly against his chest. My heart pounded, adrenaline flooding my veins as I squeezed my eyes shut, my body frozen.

I was shocked and scared to the bones.

Growing up as an Omega, I hadn’t had the privilege of training as a warrior. That wasn’t for the likes of me. Omegas, the lowest rank, weren’t meant to fight. They were weak, servants and breeders to the pack. We weren't allowed to take part in martial arts at all.

I had only become Luna because Javier’s mother had liked me, and had thought I was fit for the role.

It was a lie. When she and the Alpha died, my life had been shattered. And Laura had stepped in, seizing control of everything.

"You are safe," Lorenzo’s voice was a soft murmur in my ear. "Open your eyes." His hand brushed against my cheek, his touch lingering as his thumb traced the line of my jaw. "I like seeing your long black lashes."

"What are you saying?" I opened my eyes, confusion written all over my face. His eyes were close—too close, dark and consuming. His breath brushed against my lips, and I instinctively leaned back. He caught my chin with his hand, pulling me closer again.

"You, are, beautiful," he rasped, his voice deeper, rougher.

"W-we almost..." My words fell apart as he chuckled, his breath warm against my skin.

"I was just playing," he said, laughter bubbling up in his chest.

What?

My heart stuttered as the realization hit me. He had done that on purpose. He had swerved the car—risked an accident—all for what? A game?

I pushed his hand off my chin, disgust curling in my stomach. "You shouldn’t have done that."

"I’ll do more than that," he replied, and before I could stop him, his hands were on me again. One arm wrapped around my knees, pulling me bodily onto his lap, his fingers brushing up the length of my thighs.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, disbelief flooding my voice. Was he serious?

"I want you." His words were blunt, his voice thick with desire.

"What?" My heart pounded faster, uncertainty clouding my mind. He wasn’t joking. His eyes were filled with raw hunger.

"You are mine, Athena." His growl rumbled through the small space, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I am not," I spat, my defiance sharp on my tongue.

"Remember the contract?" His voice was softer now, but it held a dangerous edge. My throat tightened as I stared at him, then at the empty road around us. We were parked on the side of the highway, out of sight, and there was no one around. But this was not how things were supposed to go.

"We shouldn’t do this," I started, but the words dissolved on my lips as his hands pushed up my dress, fingers slipping between my legs.

"Aah..." I gasped, my head tipping back against the seat. His touch—rough but expert—sparked something inside me that I couldn’t control.

A smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as he tore my panties off, the thin fabric landing carelessly on the dashboard.

"I’ve never wanted anyone like this," he growled, positioning himself between my legs. His grip on me was firm, and his eyes were wild, filled with a kind of madness.

"We should finish this when we reach the pack," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I wasn’t sure whether I meant it or was just trying to delay whatever was happening.

His fingers slid deeper, drawing another involuntary moan from my throat.

"You're wet," he said, a dark chuckle rumbling through him as he kept his hand moving between my thighs. "So tight."

I tried to bite back another moan, but the sensation of his touch was too much. Covering my mouth with my hand, I closed my eyes, mortified by my own reaction.

"Don't hide it," he murmured, taking my hand away from my mouth. "I like hearing you moan."

I glanced down and caught a glimpse of his hardened length pressing against his pants. He was serious.

"I want you, Athena. Let me have you," he begged, his voice husky, filled with urgency.

I swallowed hard, torn between resisting and surrendering as my body betrayed me.

Before I could respond, he slid the chair backwards making me lie on top of him with a soft cry and then within a second, h had flipped us and I was now below him. He then buried his head between my legs as he raised them and I hit the roof of the car with my toes. His mouth started working in ways that made my breath catch.

It was magic.

And then, he did something that left me dumbfounded.