Bringing Agony to the Beta (Beasts of Arizona Series #2)

Pyro narrowed his eyes at me. His jaw clenched tightly as his stare pierced through my whole being. It’s obvious that he’s mad. He always looks mad because his expression is always serious and intimidating. There’s a different kind of air to him that sends a different vibe to me. It’s domineering. He took a step closer to me sending my heart beating like I’ve run a thousand miles in the forest. My whole system is shaking. I stepped away until my back hit the cold wall of the parking lot. His eyes are on me like he’s trying to read my mind. I swallowed hard, heart about to leap out of my chest. For the years I have known Pyro, I have never seen him this intense. He rarely smiles and it’s probably what attracted me to him a lot. But this time, he’s staring at me like he means business. I could hear his footsteps against the concrete floor and couldn’t help but feel goosebumps all over my body. The alcohol in my system seemed to have been flushed out the moment he dragged out of the club. I was dancing with some random men like I usually do and the next thing I know, Pyro came in and pulled me out of the dancefloor. And now, he’s looking at me with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows. His jaw is ticking every three seconds like he’s trying to suppress the rage he is feeling deep down. I pursed my lips and braved myself to stare back into his ocean blue eyes. This is frustrating. I was trying to hold his stare to show him that I am not as easy as he thought I am but his orbs just melt me every single time. “What was that, Dionessa?” His words sounded so calm but were filled with conviction as he pointed to the direction of the club. “Do you always do that when you’re in the city?” My heart sank when he asked me his second question. My lips parted as I heard the disappointment in his voice when he uttered those words. He sounded like he was disgusted by the fact that I party a lot. But what he doesn’t know is I wouldn’t resort to this kind of life if only he didn’t deny me as his mate. A pang of pain crossed my chest when I remembered that moment when he told everyone that he found his mate. And it wasn’t me. I mentally scoffed as I recalled myself getting wasted in the club that same night. Ryder and Ambrose couldn’t even stop me from drinking five bottles of tequila all for myself. I was more than pathetic. I felt hopeless. I gritted my teeth before clenching both of my hands tightly on either of my sides. “What’s the problem with that?” I asked him, taunting. I won’t go down without a fight. All my life, I have lived while trying to stand on my own. I never needed anyone else. Alpha Andreus was there for me to encourage me to study college but I made sure that I was the captain of my life. Until my f*****g wolf decided that Pyro is my mate. Stupid wolf. His stare darkened. His lips were now in a grim line as he stepped even closer to me, his face just inches away from mine. He tilted his head to the side and I tried so hard not to avert my gaze. If I look away, I’ll lose. And I don’t want to lose. Not to him. I want to show him that I can handle him. I can tolerate his intimidating aura. I’m not some weak wolf who couldn’t handle a little pressure. He leaned closer and I could only hold my breath while trying to act tough in front of him. I have been with other men, alright? I have kissed many men but I have never felt my heart racing erratically when they were this close. Pyro is different. He’s my mate and until he doesn’t tell me that he’s rejecting me straight to my face, the intensity of my attraction to him will still be there.   He held my waist and kept me still. He gripped on me like he doesn’t allow me to move. It’s as if he’s telling me that he’ll never let me go. Or maybe I’m, once again, only deluded by my thoughts of him wanting me back. He sighed hard making me smell his minty breath mixed with the scent of whiskey. Did he drink? I have never seen him drink liquor. Even when there’s a celebration in the packhouse, I rarely see him drink. He doesn’t even drink wine. But now, he did? I swallowed hard as I looked at his lips only centimeters from mine. If I moved, I would finally kiss him. And if I did, I would spend my whole life wanting him. I would only fall down a bottomless pit of my desire for him. It’s hopeless and it’s uncontrollable. I can’t do that. He likes someone else. He hasn’t rejected me yet but I know that he doesn’t want me. He likes Wynona. She is who he wants to be his mate. I bit the insides of my cheeks. The exhilarating rush in my system is eating me all up right now. He hasn’t kissed me yet but he’s here, showing me how it feels when my mate is close. He’s only holding either side of my waist and my whole system is in destructive haywire. He shut his eyes before brushing his lips against mine. It was a soft kiss but that was enough to send me floating high up in the air. It was as if I was levitating after that split-second contact of our lips. Pyro’s brows are furrowed as he muttered a curse under his breath. He opened his eyes and blazing desire was what I could read from them. His blue eyes are my favorite thing in the world—mysterious as the sea, but enticing. Very enticing. He licked his lips before looking down at mine. He reached for my face and brushed his thumb gently against my lower lip. He caressed it for a few moments before he looked into my eyes again. “Play with me,” he whispered in a serious voice. “Play with me, Dionessa.” My lips parted, eyes wide, in surprise. Disappointment filled my system as I stared at Pyro who was staring back at me, face void of humor. “Play with you?” I asked, breathless and in disbelief. My chest is about to burst in pain. Air seemed to have been sucked out of my lungs as I stood there, trying to act tough even though I badly wanted to cry right at this moment. I swallowed a forming lump in my throat as my heart clenched in pain. The fact that he wants me to play with him only says one thing—he doesn’t want me as his mate. I know that he’s fully aware that we’re mates. But he only wants me to satisfy his needs. Nothing more than that. He caressed my cheek and I hate that I feel like I am melting. I shouldn’t be this weak. I shouldn’t let him control me like this. “Ah, f*ck,” he whispered before crashing his lips on mine. My eyes instantly shut the moment his nipped on my lower lip. His hand traveled to my back, caressing me while he pulled me closer until I collided with his hard chest. My hands are on his chest, gripping tightly on his shirt while I let him explore my cavern. His tongue traced my mouth, marking it like it’s his own territory. Now, it is. I probably wouldn’t be able to kiss someone else after this. We were both panting hard after the kiss. Nobody wanted to let go. He secured me in his arms like he’s afraid I would slip away. I wish. He leaned his forehead against mine, still catching his breath. “Please say yes,” he whispered but he sounded so desperate like his life depended on it. Eyes still shut, I held onto his hand on my cheek before nodding. I know I was a hopeless case. I shouldn’t be stooping this low. I should value my worth as a woman. But he’s my mate and I can’t say no to him. No matter how I want to say no, the wolf in me would never agree. “Yes,” I replied, voiceless and out of breath. I opened my eyes and saw him already staring at me while waiting for my answer. He looked like he did not understand what I just said so I nodded again. “Yes, I will,” I repeated with more conviction. And there it was. The bottomless pit. Checkmate.