The Alpha's Forbidden Bride

Chapter 9

~EDEN~

We were out on the deck, overlooking the beautiful garden. Austin had meat on the grill and James had just returned from wherever he'd went with that Clara girl. He had on a white shirt with a few buttons opened at the top, showing off his smooth muscular chest. My face twisted as I thought about him being alone with that woman for more than an hour.

The entire time he was gone, I couldn't focus on anything at all. I hated the way that girl had looked at him. Now I understood what James had to feel every time he saw me with Hunter. I didn't want to do that to him. It was unfair that we couldn't have our chance at love. I felt this bad knowing that another woman wanted my mate, how would I feel if I knew that he was marrying her? I had no words for how I would react then.

"You look troubled," Isabella whispered next to me. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Before we came here, Isabella and I had an entire conversation about James being my mate while getting married to Hunter. She knew how difficult it was for me to ignore him, but then again, almost everyone who knew that we were mates would understand how difficult it would be for the both of us.

"I don't know," I whispered back. "Did you see the way that girl looked at him?"

Isabella rolled her eyes. "I think everyone saw it except James."

Her words bothered me, was it that my mate didn't notice or was it that he didn't have a problem with it?

Isabella took my hand in hers and gently squeezed on it. "Everything's going to be okay."

"What are you two lovely ladies whispering about?" Lucas asked as he took a seat on the chair to the front of us. "Can I join in?"

"It really doesn't look like we have a choice in the matter, does it?" Isabella asked.

"Damn, you're a smart one." Lucas teased with a click of his tongue.

He was grinning at us. Unlike James, he always seemed to be in a jolly mood. There was this certain calmness about him, whenever he was around, everyone always seemed to be in a better mood. He was extremely good at lifting everyone's spirits. Lucas was blessed in that way.

I heard someone sigh and looked up just in time to see Lucy roll her long black hair into a bun before she took a seat next to us with a frown on her face.

"I'm not allowed to do anything around here ever since I became pregnant," she complained. "He doesn't let me lift a finger." She argued while glaring at Austin's back.

"I love you too sweetheart." Austin shouted over his shoulder.

"Come on sister-in-law," Lucas said with that playful gleam in his eyes. "Where's that beautiful smile of yours?"

Lucy immediately started laughing as she playfully hit Lucas on his arm, something I often saw her doing. The two of them seemed more like siblings than Lucas did with his own brothers.

Sitting here, seeing the way Lucy glowed as she bonded with her mate's brother and the way Austin glanced at her as though she was the best thing that ever happened to him. It showed to me just how horrible the council actually was. The atmosphere here was very peaceful, nothing like back home. This was what a real happy family should look like, this was everything anyone trapped in the council would dream of.

I understood now that separating from us must have been the best thing to have ever happened to Lucy. She got a chance at a real life, to build a happy family.

Something that I wished I could somehow have with James. I knew it was impossible without a war but I still let myself dream of a life with him here.

I glanced at him when I thought no one was looking. To my surprise, he was already looking at me. The only difference was, he wasn't trying to hide it.

I had to swallow the whimper that threatened to come out my mouth. The man was dangerous, I never knew that I would ever be this desperate for a man's attention.

I forced myself to look away and tried to focus on the conversation in front of me. However, no matter how hard I tried, I could still feel James's penetrating gaze. I felt my skin prickle as my heart raced loudly against my chest.

I couldn't do this, I couldn't focus on anything when James was only a few feet away from me.

I couldn't take it. I wanted him.

"I'm heading to my room," I told Lucy before I could stop myself.

Her forehead creased and she instantly looked worried.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

I nodded. "I'm fine, I'm just tired from the trip. I want to rest for a bit."

She looked unconvinced but still managed to nod her head, "do you want me to walk you to your room?"

I shook my head. "I don't want Austin coming for my head. You stay here and rest."

Before she could change her mind, I was already walking back into the palace. In order to do so, I had to walk pass James. The moment I reached him, his scent almost knocked me over.

It was all the motivation I needed to keep on going faster before I did something to embarrass myself in front of everyone here.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

~JAMES~

I watched Eden as she walked away. Her hips swayed as she moved and it was hard to look away.

"Don't even think about it." Austin said in a warning tone.

I quirked a brow, "don't think about what?" I asked innocently. I was beginning to realize that there was no use arguing with Austin, I had to do things on my own now, with or without his permission.

"You know what I'm talking about." He hissed. "Don't make me say it."

I shrugged my shoulders and placed the glass of wine onto the glass table. "I'm just going to get another bottle of wine, as you can see, it's already empty."

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, not believing a word. "Just hurry back, if you're not back in five minutes, I'm sending Lucas to check on you."

"I don't need a babysitter." I growled.

Eden's scent was all over the palace, it was hard to concentrate on anything else when she was around. I couldn't even deal with the issue at the pack house without thinking about getting back here to her. I didn't like not being here when she was around. I didn't want to waste a single second of being around her.

I'd caught her looking at me multiple times today, the need in her eyes didn't go unnoticed. She wanted me, that thought had my shaft tightening in my pants. I wanted to please her in many ways, all that ways that I could possibly think about. I couldn't remember the last time I've been this crazy about taking a woman, truth be told, this was the first time.

I climbed the steps two at a time, Eden's scent grew stronger with each second that ticked by.

I saw her a few seconds away from her room door and hurried my pace to reach her. I reached her in two long strides, my body acting on it's own will.

The moment I was by her side, I grabbed her hand and pushed her up against the wall.

"What are you doing?" She gasped, her innocent eyes wide open.

I placed both hands on the wall and leaned into her.

"I needed a taste." I whispered.

"A taste of wha—,"

I covered her lips with mine, cutting her off.

Lord help me, a woman shouldn't taste this f*****g good.