The Missing Beta

Chapter 38

~Katarina~

I looked everywhere for Aston, I swear. I honestly didn’t know that our pack was so damn big. I would catch his scent here and there but never really caught him. While looking for Aston, I was trying to keep away from King and his family. I blocked my mindlink and kept my distance.

Nothing brought me to the poolhouse; I just wanted a quiet place to be. No one really hands out there, so I knew I’d be alone most of the time. I figured that maybe I could catch a glimpse of him coming in or out of the packhouse, but as the day darkened, I thought I was wrong.

I was about to lock up the poolhouse and head home when I saw him poking around the pool. I wanted to run out and grab him, but I didn’t want anyone to see me. Aston and I have to discuss this alone, with no interruptions.

I watched as he walked to the poolhouse and peered inside the window. I didn’t want him to see me. I wanted to talk to him, but I wanted to have the moment first. I stayed out of sight as he looked inside and waited until he turned to go. I quickly grabbed him and pulled him through the door. His scent hit me like a freight train, and my entire body responded. I swear I could take him right here and right now, making me the happiest woman in the entire world.

Now, Aston is staring at me with his mouth hanging open while I wait for an answer. His scent is all around me, making me drunk. Crazy, right? It’s true, though. The scent, your mate’s scent, is a powerful thing. “Are you going to say anything?” I swear I wish I could record his face right now and use it for a cartoon or something; it’s that comical.

“I… I… I don’t know what to say.”

“I asked a pretty straightforward question, so how about a yes or a no?” Aston closes his eyes and seems to breathe deeply. He slowly opens them again, looking directly into my own.

“Yes, we are fated to each other. We are mates.” I stand there, looking into his eyes, and I swear it’s like getting lost at sea. I can see our entire past and our future in his eyes, and it’s a sight to behold.

I throw caution to the wind, wanting to take my life into my own hands for once. I walk closer to Aston, never taking my eyes off of him. Thankfully, he’s by the light switch. I don’t want to draw anyone to this place until I’ve had my say and my fill.

I quickly pull the switch down, descending us into darkness. I push my body against his, letting his warmth cover me completely. I can’t believe I’m here right now. I swear I’ve dreamed about this so many times that it’s hard to acknowledge it’s real.

I let my hands slowly creep up his arms, across his shoulders, and tie together behind his neck. I feel Aston’s hands on my hips, and he pulls me tighter against him. I pull up on my toes and press my lips to his. GODDESS!!! I’ve been kissed and have kissed, but never has it been like this.

The sparks erupt over my lips, covering every inch. His tongue pushes against me, and I part my lips, allowing it entry. His tongue sweeps the inside of my life, and a moan escapes my throat. Aston’s hands circle around me and land on my ass, making my core leak. Aston tilts his head, and the kiss gets even hotter than it already was. Aston’s mouth leaves mine, and the loss of his warmth makes me murderous. I groan and struggle to adjust my sight. “Sorry, I just… I mean… you’re engaged.”

I sigh and close my eyes. He’s right. At this moment, I’m engaged to King. We have made promises to ourselves, our families, and our pack. I’m meant to become Luna and run the pack with him. That being said, I have my fated mate in my arms. Not only is he my fated mate, but he was my best friend at one time. I’ve loved him from afar for so long, and now I have a chance to be with him. What should I do? What's the right move?

I step back from Aston, not saying a word. I continue to move back, one step at a time. As I move back, I let my hands roam my body. Aston doesn’t take his eyes off me, and I see the exact moment his eyes go black. His wolf is sharing space with him, and they have me in their sight. This is good because I want them focused on me for what I’m about to say. “Mark me.”

“Wh…what?” I continue to caress my body and move back further. Aston starts to follow after me, his steps slow and unsteady.

“I said, mark me.”

“But your wedding… what about King?”

“Fu.ck King. I don’t care about him. You’re my fated mate and I want you. Mark me… mate me. I will deal with everything else later. This is what I want right now.” I stop moving, knowing there’s a bed behind me. I pull my shirt over my head, exposing my skin and bra. I watch Aston get closer until he stands right before me. He reaches out with shaky hands and places them on my sides.

“Are you sure? Once I have you, I don’t plan on letting you go. I don’t care if I have to go to war with him. If I touch you, you will be mine forever.” There’s a hard tone in his voice, and I know he’s never been more serious. He should know that I haven’t either. I know what I’m asking, and I mean every word of it.

“Mark me.”