Ex's regret, Gamma's addiction

The after bath

Tessa POV

"I'll be home after dark tomorrow, although very briefly. Can't wait to see you."

My lover's words stared back at me one last time before I quickly slipped the phone into my skirt pocket.

I was more than excited for the evening. Kevin had been away for eight days. As the Deputy Chief Gamma, he was a busy male, especially at a time like this when the pack was preparing for battle.

But he was home this evening because he missed me. We would be together soon.

I squealed silently in front of the mirror, then looked around to make sure no one saw me doing that. I was inside the Fox's staff break-room. It was long past breaktime, so the large chamber was empty. I had the freedom to admire myself before the tinted window glass. The overhead light played on my black, almond-shaped eyes, causing gold and silver specks to dance around them.

Kevin loved my eyes, especially when my wolf peeked through. I was wearing the skirt he loved too. I swirled to admire my narrow curves and the smooth skin peeking behind the slit.

My day's work would end in twenty minutes. My final task? Getting his clean laundry to his room. He would be waiting for me.

Satisfied with my appearance, I left the break room and made my way to the laundry room. The clothes were ready and Peyton was hard at work with the folding.

He gave me an assessing look as I walked in. His shoulders dropped with a deep exhale.

"What? No matter what you say, I know I look good."

I smoothed my outfit and proceeded to join him.

"Your lips are too red, Tessa," he replied.

"No, they're not."

They were. My male liked it that way.

"If the mistress sees you, she'll suspect. You could get in trouble."

"I will not. Kev will soon tell her about us, anyway. Maybe tonight. Who knows? He's going to battle, so he won't postpone it for much longer. And he's the head male of the Fox household now. His mother would have to be alright with his wishes."

I believed this with my whole heart. If for nothing, but Kevin's promises. Although Peyton's words always get to me.

"You deserve a good male that would be proud to call you his own," he said gently.

It went without saying that he didn't think Kevin was such a male. I couldn't wait for him to see how wrong he was about my boyfriend.

Soon, I would be the young Mistress of this house like Kevin promised. Peyton would see that he was wrong to dislike Kevin.

"So I guess this means you won't be racing with us tonight."

"Oh, I will." I lowered my voice. "He has to return to the Warrior's work-house tonight. Our meeting will be brief."

We finished folding the laundry. I lifted the one with Kevin's clothes in it and began to leave when Peyton touched my arm. I knew what was coming, so I braced myself.

"I know you hate it when I say this, Tess, but it's been two years. It's long past time for him to tell the whole pack about you."

"Like I said, he will! Now thanks for your concern. I have to go!"

As I walked away, I heard his grumble,

"Pray you wake up soon."

I stopped when I reached the door. He was my best friend but I hated him right now. Hated the fact that his warnings always touched a nerve.

Kevin loved me. This sneaking around was as difficult for him as it was for me. Considering whose kid I am, he couldn't just announce our relationship.

Great! Now it felt like I was repeating what he'd always told me. Which increased my annoyance.

"It's not as easy as you think, Peyton," I said bitterly.

"He's a top-rank warrior. THE Deputy Chief Gamma of the mighty Night Storm. You know what that means? Power, Tess! It's been six months since he got the title. Yet he makes you sneak. I'm worried for you, that's all!"

I was worried too, but I couldn't admit this to my friend. But how could I not be patient? What other choice did I have?

Pleasure servants, the prostitutes of the pack, were considered the lowest of the low. Even omegas thought they were better than these ones. Everyone looked down on them.

I was not a pleasure servant. My mother was.

I deserved better than the pitiful life she was subjected to. I deserved better than the life everyone believed was my destiny. Kevin was offering me that life. I just needed to wait a little more.

"All of this will be over soon, especially with the war and all. We'll have a mating ceremony and be a proper couple soon. I can't rush him, Peyton."

He began to speak when I cut him off.

"Shoot, look at the time. Don't wanna keep him waiting."

I didn't want to hear anymore common sense. I walked calmly up the stairs as the past flashed before me.

I was only fourteen when my mom killed herself. My twin and I were immediately separated and taken far outside the Alpha's mansion. I was sent to Ryan Fox's household. Though my twin, Sophie was the smarter one, she'd been unlucky and placed in a household that was notorious for buying and keeping pleasure servants.

As a minor, she couldn't be used yet. But like me, she was determined not to end up like mom. We agreed to escape the pack and so began making plans. Two years passed before we got the chance.

But I betrayed her. I didn't show up. I couldn't and there was a valid reason. He was a Night Storm warrior with pale blue eyes, black curly hair and a wide sexy mouth.

Kevin Fox was the first and only child of Ryan and Courtney Fox. The first male to ever speak to me with kindness. He'd been so good to me from the moment I stepped foot into the household, though he'd left for Europe soon after.

Something about a college exchange programme. After that, Gamma Ryan had sent him on a long visit to the Golden Crescent pack for external warrior training.

I remembered how I feared he would change once he returned. And he had, but not in the way I feared. He'd returned a full-blown warrior male but still full of warmth and kindness.

I'd fallen in love amost as soon as he got back. Our off and on friendship had quickly blossomed into something deeper. When my sister found an escape plan, I'd chosen love over freedom from pack life.

I'd made a vow to find her once I become the Young Mrs. Fox. As Kevin's mate, I would have the freedom to go or call anywhere. I would have the resources to hire a topnotch human PI.

The fact that Gamma Kevin had fallen for me was my assurance that I was nothing like my mother. I would never end up like her.

Kevin's door stood slightly ajar when I arrived at his chamber. He waited by the side to pull it open further as I walked in. I'd barely set the basket down when he came to wrap his arms around me, burying his head between my neck to inhale deeply.

This was how he liked to greet me. As usual, I was tempted to beg him to mark me but held back. No one liked desperation. Plus, I had pride. He would mark me in his own time.

"Welcome back," I whispered.

"I missed you." Without waiting for my reply, he spun me around and took my lips in a hot kiss.

'I miss you too,' I whispered into his mind.

Before I knew it, I was in his arms, then on the bed. His loosed shirt and boxers came off quickly. As he undressed me with such frenzy, my friend's words echoed in my head. I looked into the eyes of the male I loved and decided again that Peyton was wrong.

The eyes didn't lie and there was so much heat in Kevin's. His desperate touch is proof.

His love-making was almost too rough this time. I gave an involuntary whine beneath him. His words drifted into my mind, soothing every ache.

'Forgive me, babydoll. I hunger so much for you. You have no idea. You're all I thought about during all those trainings and meetings.'

Then he slowed down and became gentle. This male loved me. His kisses, his words, his gentleness proved it. I pushed my friend far out of my mind and let myself enjoy Kevin's love and attention.

Sometime later, we laid side by side in silence with his eyes on the ceiling. Our breathing grew steadier with each passing breath. A phone rang, cutting through the silence and causing us to jump. It was the bedside intercom rang.

We knew who the caller would be. He signalled for me to shush as he snatched the receiver.

"Yes, mother. Mhmm. Yeah! Alright."

Then he hung up.

"Our time has to be cut short today, babydoll."

He dropped a light kiss on my lips. "I owe my mother dinner. And I have a meeting with the Chief Gamma. We're going to battle any moment like I told you."

He rose from the bed. I half-listened while praying that he would forget the usual.

But he didn't. Taking my hand, he pulled me up from the bed and led me to the bathroom as he went on,

"Celia is not in Europe. The dumb b!t

"Woah! So she's their prisoner?" I asked to fake interest.

I couldn't care less what happened to the Alpha's legitimate child.

"Yup."

We reached the shower and before turning on the water, he leaned over to kiss me on the mouth, then throat, then between my breasts.

My heart sank as he tested the water, then pulled me underneath it. As usual, he got in with me. Reaching for the bath gel, he proceeded to wash both our scents off each other.